Why setWorkflow(false) Didn’t Stop All Automation
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yesterday
Problem
I used setWorkflow(false) expecting it to prevent all business rules, flows, and other automation from running during an update. However, I still saw certain logic executing, which was confusing.
Solution
The key realization is that setWorkflow(false) does not disable all automation.
What it actually does:
Skips most Business Rules
Prevents Workflow execution
Does not stop everything such as all Flow Designer actions, engine-level logic, or certain platform processes
This explains why some automation can still run even when setWorkflow(false) is set.
Why this matters
If you’re:
Performing bulk updates
Writing fix scripts or background scripts
Trying to control automation side effects
Relying solely on setWorkflow(false) can lead to unexpected behavior.
Takeaway
To control automation more reliably:
Understand which automation types are affected by setWorkflow(false)
Use conditional checks inside rules/flows when appropriate
Test updates in a controlled environment before assuming automation is fully suppressed
Sharing this since it’s a common assumption and not always obvious from documentation.
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