What happens if I create a path within a sub-Zap?

Question

I have a zap that calls on a sub-zap. Halfway through the sub-zap, I need to branch off if there is an undesired output from a ChatGPT step and notify myself to retry the zap. And I want the zap to terminate there.

This is basically simulating an error message, but because an undesirable output from ChatGPT isn’t considered an error by Zapier, I’ve set up a path to deal with this.

The thing is, the path occurs within a sub-zap. If my sub-zap branches off and sends me an email and ends, my main zap would still be waiting for a response from the sub-zap (as it would normally if the sub-zap had continued down the main path).

Would not hearing back from my sub-zap result in an error (I have autoreplay zaps turned on and would hate to burn through tasks while the main zap is constantly waiting).

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Best answer by MJ_IATC 7 February 2024, 15:36

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MJ_IATC · Accepted Answer

I think I figured this out, for anyone else who might have a similar query.

I had to return the data from the sub-zap after going down the error path. This return from sub-zap steps returns a field for ‘status - failed’. It returns that to the main zap and the man zap then branches off too (if the sub-zap returns a ‘failed’ status), resulting in an email notification telling me of the error.

Troy Tessalone · Answer

Hi @MJ_IATCHelp article to reference about using Sub-Zaps: https://help.zapier.com/hc/en-us/articles/8496308527629-Build-reusable-Sub-ZapsWhy is my Sub-Zap stuck in a Waiting status?If you see a Sub-Zap with a Waiting status in your Zap run history, a Filter or Path action in the Sub-Zap prevented the Sub-Zap from continuing. Any Zaps associated with your Sub-Zap won't continue past the Return from a Sub-Zap action.Learn more about Sub-Zap example workflows.Adding Paths actions within a Sub-Zap:If you use multiple Return from Sub-Zap steps within Paths, only the first one will run successfully. The Path branch logic must be configured to be mutually exclusive so that only one ‘Return from Sub-Zap’ step runs at the same time.

Adding Paths actions within a Sub-Zap:

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