Zero Data

Zero Datasets

What is Zero Datasets?

Understand linked and managed datasets, how steps exchange references to results, and what happens to those results when a run pauses and resumes.

Linked: your system

The source of truth stays in the system you already run. Zero works with it in place.

Managed: kept by Zero

Zero keeps the records for you. Steps use them exactly as they use a linked dataset.

Most businesses start by linking what they already have.

Find changes
Reference 01k7aa
Filter
Reference 01k7ab
Structure
Each step gives the next a reference to its result, so the flow can use data across the process.

Data at work

  • Supplier master

    Linked to the purchasing system. A supplier review reads it every morning.

  • Support requests

    Linked to the help desk. An agent triages each new request.

  • Product catalogue

    Linked to the commerce system. A flow keeps descriptions current.

  • Review findings

    Managed. A flow writes its results here for the next run to use.

Supplier review v3 · run 01k7m2

  • CompletedFind changes · Reference 01k7aa
  • WaitingDecide · Reference 01k7aa is kept
  • ApprovedDecide · The run picks up
  • CompletedFilter · Follows reference 01k7aa

What is a dataset?

A dataset is how a flow or an agent reaches data. It is linked to a system you already run, or kept by Zero, and a step uses either kind in the same way.

What is the difference between linked and managed?

A linked dataset leaves the source of truth in your own system. A managed dataset is kept by Zero for you. Most businesses start by linking what they already have.

Where does my data stay?

A linked dataset keeps the source of truth in your existing system. Within a run, steps pass references to their results.

What happens to data while a process waits?

It is kept. When the run picks up, the next step follows the same references. Keeping a result for later runs is a deliberate step: the flow writes it to a dataset.

Dataset

How a flow reaches data: linked to a system you already run, or kept by Zero.

Linked dataset

A dataset whose source of truth stays in your own system.

Managed dataset

A dataset whose records Zero keeps for you. Steps use it exactly as they use a linked one.

Connection

Zero's link to an external system you already run. It holds the credentials and settings that other capabilities use.

Reference

A pointer to one step's output. The next step follows it, so records are passed without being copied.

Zero Datasets is part of Zero, the agentic orchestration platform.