Architecture
Introduction
Raikoo is an innovative AI workflow automation application designed to empower organizations with a flexible, scalable solution for managing and executing complex processes. At its core, Raikoo integrates both traditional programmatic operations and advanced AI-based tasks, enabling users to build and run workflows that can dynamically adapt to various business needs.
This architectural overview outlines the foundational components and design principles behind Raikoo. It details how the system leverages modern web technologies, cloud-native services, and robust security practices to deliver a seamless user experience. The frontend, built with Next.js and deployed on Vercel, provides an intuitive interface for users, while critical backend functionalities—including workflow execution and chat—are managed through Azure Functions. Data persistence is ensured by an Azure-hosted Postgres database and Azure Storage for workflow artifacts, with the flexibility for organizations to override default settings with their own storage and key management solutions via Azure Key Vault.
By examining the key components, data models, and integration points, this overview aims to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of Raikoo’s architecture, setting the stage for future enhancements and continuous improvement in workflow automation capabilities.
System Components Overview
graph TD
TW[Raikoo System Components]
TW --> FE[Web Frontend]
TW --> BE[API Backend]
TW --> DS[Data Storage]
TW --> SM[Secrets Management]
subgraph FE [Web Frontend]
FE1[Next.js Application]
FE2[Vercel Deployment]
FE1 --> FE2
end
subgraph BE [API Backend]
BE1[Azure Functions API]
end
subgraph DS [Data Storage]
DS1[Postgres Database]
DS2[Azure Storage Account]
DS2 --> DS3[Blob & File Storage]
DS2 --> DS4[Organization Overrides]
end
subgraph SM [Secrets Management]
SM1[Azure Key Vault]
SM1 --> SM2[Manages Secrets]
SM1 --> SM3[Organization Overrides]
end
The Raikoo platform is built upon a collection of interrelated components, each tailored to address specific functional requirements while ensuring scalability, security, and flexibility. The primary components include:
Web Frontend
- Next.js Application on Vercel: The primary user interface is powered by a Next.js application deployed on Vercel. This modern, server-rendered React framework ensures a fast, responsive experience for users interacting with the system. It not only serves as the main entry point for users but also handles a portion of backend logic directly at the edge, optimizing performance and responsiveness.
API Backend
- Azure Functions API: Critical backend operations—such as workflow execution and chat functionalities—are managed by a serverless API built on Azure Functions. This approach enables automatic scaling in response to workload demands, ensuring that the system remains robust and available during high usage periods while streamlining resource management.
Data Storage
- Postgres Database in Azure: A managed Postgres database hosted in Azure is used to store core application data, ensuring reliability and high availability for transactional and operational data.
- Azure Storage Account: Workflow artifacts, including files and binary data, are stored in an Azure Storage Account using both blob and file storage solutions. Importantly, Raikoo supports organizational customization by allowing organizations to override the default storage account with their own, thereby providing enhanced data governance and compliance with internal policies.
Secrets Management
- Azure Key Vault: Security is a paramount concern in Raikoo. All sensitive information, including credentials and API keys, is securely managed using Azure Key Vault. This service is used to store secrets for both Raikoo and its organizational clients. In line with our flexible architecture, organizations have the option to override the default key vault, using their own secure vault to manage secrets in accordance with their specific security requirements.
Deployment Architecture
graph TD
DA[Deployment Architecture]
DA --> FD[Frontend Deployment]
DA --> BD[Backend/API Deployment]
DA --> DS[Data Persistence & Storage]
DA --> SI[Security Infrastructure]
subgraph FD [Frontend Deployment]
FD1[Next.js Application]
FD2[Vercel Hosting]
FD1 --> FD2
end
subgraph BD [Backend/API Deployment]
BD1[Azure Functions API]
end
subgraph DS [Data Persistence & Storage]
DS1[Postgres Database]
DS2[Azure Storage Account]
DS2a[Blob & File Storage]
DS2b[Organization Overrides]
DS2 --> DS2a
DS2 --> DS2b
end
subgraph SI [Security Infrastructure]
SI1[Azure Key Vault]
SI2[Manages Secrets]
SI3[Organization-Specific Overrides]
SI1 --> SI2
SI1 --> SI3
end
Raikoo’s deployment architecture is engineered to be flexible, scalable, and secure by leveraging a mix of cloud-native and serverless services. This approach ensures rapid deployment, efficient resource utilization, and seamless scalability while maintaining robust security practices. Below is an overview of the key deployment layers:
Frontend Deployment
- Next.js on Vercel: The Raikoo user interface is built with Next.js, a React framework that supports server-side rendering and static site generation. Deployed on Vercel, the frontend benefits from global edge caching, automatic scaling, and high performance, ensuring a responsive and fast experience for users across different regions.
Backend/API Deployment
- Azure Functions for API Endpoints: Core backend functionalities—such as workflow execution and chat—are implemented using Azure Functions. This serverless model enables Raikoo to dynamically scale with demand while only incurring costs for actual usage. Azure Functions handle sporadic workloads efficiently and provide a resilient environment for critical operations.
Data Persistence and Storage
- Postgres Database: A managed Postgres database hosted on Azure ensures reliable data persistence, supporting high availability, ACID compliance, and robust performance for transactional data.
- Azure Storage Account: Workflow artifacts and binary data are stored using Azure Storage, utilizing both blob and file storage. This solution not only meets diverse storage needs but also allows organizations to override the default storage account with their own, facilitating custom data governance and compliance policies.
Security Infrastructure
- Azure Key Vault: Security is integrated at every layer of Raikoo. Azure Key Vault is employed to securely store sensitive information such as API keys and configuration secrets. Moreover, the architecture supports organization-specific key vault overrides, ensuring that each organization can manage its secrets according to its own security standards.
Application Data Model and Domain Structure
graph TD
Org[Organization]
Org -->|Contains| Users[Users]
Org -->|Contains| Projects[Projects]
Org -->|Manages| Secrets[Secrets Management]
Projects -->|Includes| Workflows[Workflows]
Projects -->|Includes| Personas[Personas]
Projects -->|Includes| Tools[Tools]
Projects -->|Defines| Ops[Operations]
Workflows -->|Composed of| WfOps[Workflow Operations]
WfOps -->|Instance of| Ops
subgraph "Operation Types"
Ops -->|Type| ProgOps[Programmatic Operations]
Ops -->|Type| AIOps[AI-Based Operations]
end
subgraph "Programmatic Operations"
ProgOps --> Logic[Logic Operations]
ProgOps --> Iterative[Iterative Operations]
ProgOps --> Utilitarian[Utilitarian Operations]
end
subgraph "AI-Based Operations"
AIOps --> Prompt[Prompt Configuration]
AIOps --> Integration[Tool Integrations]
AIOps --> Align[Alignment Settings]
AIOps --> Response[Response Processing]
end
Raikoo’s data model is designed to reflect the real-world relationships between organizations, users, projects, and workflows. This structure ensures clear separation of concerns, data isolation between workstreams, and flexibility for custom organizational configurations. Below is an overview of the primary domain entities and their interrelationships:
Organizations
- Top-Level Entity: Organizations are the foundational units within Raikoo. They encapsulate all users, projects, and secrets, serving as a container for organizational settings and custom configurations.
- Custom Configurations: Each organization has the option to override default settings, such as using their own Azure Storage Account or Azure Key Vault, ensuring compliance with internal data governance and security policies.
Users
- Direct Association: Users are directly linked to an organization. They represent individuals who interact with the system, primarily via the web interface.
- Multiple Interaction Modes: Besides web access, users can also programmatically invoke workflows or integrate Raikoo’s capabilities into other applications via APIs and webhooks.
Projects
- Distinct Workstreams: Projects allow organizations to segment different workstreams or business initiatives. Each project functions as an isolated environment within an organization.
- Component Container: Within each project, users manage workflows, personas, tools, and operations, ensuring that each workstream remains self-contained and tailored to its specific objectives.
Workflows
- Core Execution Units: Workflows represent the primary mechanism for automating processes in Raikoo. They are composed of a series of operations that work together to achieve a desired outcome.
- Sequencing and Execution: Workflows are structured through dependency chains, and operations within a workflow can be executed in parallel or sequentially. Settings such as batch count and parallel execution controls optimize performance and efficiency.
- Workflow Operations: Each individual step within a workflow, known as a workflow operation, is an instance of a broader operation definition applied in a specific context.
Operations
- Building Blocks of Workflows: Operations are the fundamental tasks that can be combined to form workflows. They are categorized into:
- Programmatic Operations:
- Logic Operations: Implement conditional logic (e.g., if-else statements).
- Iterative Operations: Support iterative constructs such as loops (for, for each).
- Utilitarian Operations: Perform specific utility functions like file format conversions.
- AI-Based Operations:
- These operations harness artificial intelligence for tasks requiring robust configuration around prompts, tool integrations, alignment, and advanced response processing.
- Configurability and Flexibility: Both types of operations are highly configurable, allowing users to tailor them to complex process requirements and integrate them seamlessly within workflow dependency chains.
User Interaction and Integration Points
graph TD
UI[User Interaction & Integration Points]
UI --> WB[Web-Based Interactions]
UI --> PA[Programmatic Access]
UI --> EC[Embedded Capabilities]
subgraph WB [Web-Based Interactions]
WB1[Primary Website Access]
WB2[Interactive Workflow Creation]
WB3[Real-Time Feedback & Monitoring]
end
subgraph PA [Programmatic Access]
PA1[API-Driven Operations]
PA2[Webhook Integrations]
PA3[Automation & Scripting]
end
subgraph ECB [Embedded Capabilities Details]
ECB1[Integration with Third-Party Platforms]
ECB2[Customizable User Experiences]
end
EC --> ECB1
EC --> ECB2
Raikoo is designed to provide a versatile and user-friendly experience, accommodating both direct user engagement and programmatic access for broader integrations. This section outlines the primary ways in which users interact with the platform, as well as the mechanisms that enable seamless integration with external systems.
Web-Based Interactions
- Primary Access via the Website: Users primarily interact with Raikoo through an intuitive web interface. The frontend, built with Next.js and hosted on Vercel, offers a responsive and dynamic environment for creating, managing, and monitoring workflows.
- Interactive Workflow Creation: The UI provides drag-and-drop and form-based tools that simplify the design and configuration of workflows, enabling users to set up operations, dependencies, and execution parameters with ease.
- Real-Time Feedback and Monitoring: Users can monitor workflow execution in real time, view logs, and track progress, which enhances transparency and facilitates quick troubleshooting when needed.
Programmatic Access
- API-Driven Operations: For users who require deeper integration or automated control, Raikoo exposes a robust API, powered by Azure Functions. This API allows external systems to trigger, manage, and monitor workflows programmatically.
- Webhook Integrations: Raikoo supports webhook configurations, enabling external applications to receive event notifications and trigger specific workflows based on predefined triggers. This setup is particularly useful for automating responses to external events and integrating with broader IT ecosystems.
- Automation and Scripting: Advanced users and developers can integrate Raikoo into custom scripts and automation pipelines, leveraging the API to embed AI workflow capabilities directly into their operational processes.
Embedded Capabilities
- Integration with Third-Party Platforms: In addition to standalone usage, Raikoo’s capabilities can be embedded into other applications or websites. This flexibility allows organizations to offer AI workflow automation as part of a broader service offering or within existing enterprise systems.
- Customizable User Experiences: The platform’s architecture supports customized integration scenarios, enabling organizations to tailor the look, feel, and functionality of Raikoo to align with their brand and operational requirements.
Operational Considerations
To ensure Raikoo remains robust, responsive, and secure as usage scales, several key operational factors have been integrated into its design and deployment strategies. These considerations help maintain performance under varying loads, safeguard sensitive data, and allow for seamless customization and proactive system monitoring.
Scalability and Performance
- Dynamic Scaling: Raikoo leverages cloud-native platforms such as Vercel for the frontend and Azure Functions for the backend. These services inherently support auto-scaling, ensuring the system can handle spikes in traffic and variable workloads without degradation in performance.
- Optimized Workflow Execution: The workflow engine is designed to execute operations in batches and in parallel where applicable. This ensures efficient processing of complex dependency chains and minimizes execution time even for resource-intensive workflows.
- Robust Data Services: The managed Postgres database and Azure Storage provide high availability and reliable performance for transactional and workflow-related data, supporting both small-scale operations and enterprise-level workloads.
Security and Access Control
- Secure Secrets Management: Sensitive information such as API keys and credentials is stored in Azure Key Vault, ensuring that all secrets are managed securely and accessed only by authorized services.
- Multi-Tenant Data Isolation: Organizational data is strictly segregated, with support for organization-specific key vaults and storage accounts. This ensures that data access policies are maintained and each organization’s data remains isolated and secure.
- Robust Authentication and Authorization: Access control mechanisms are implemented across all components, enforcing strict authentication and authorization protocols to mitigate security risks and ensure that only permitted users and systems can interact with the platform.
Customization and Overrides
- Organizational Overrides: Raikoo offers flexibility by allowing organizations to substitute default configurations with their own Azure Storage Accounts and Key Vaults. This ensures compliance with internal data governance, security standards, and industry-specific regulations.
- Tailored Workflow Execution: The system’s configurable parameters—such as batch size and parallel execution settings—allow organizations to customize workflow performance to match their specific operational requirements, enhancing both efficiency and reliability.
Monitoring and Maintenance
- Comprehensive Logging and Monitoring: Integrated monitoring tools across Vercel, Azure Functions, and Azure’s data services provide real-time insights into system performance and health. This facilitates quick identification and resolution of issues.
- Proactive Maintenance: Regular updates, security patches, and continuous deployment practices ensure that the platform remains current and secure, minimizing downtime and ensuring a stable operational environment.
- Operational Alerts and Dashboards: Customizable dashboards and alerting systems help administrators track key performance indicators, allowing for proactive maintenance and swift responses to any emerging issues.
Conclusion
In summary, Raikoo represents a modern, scalable, and secure solution for AI workflow automation. By integrating cutting-edge technologies—ranging from a responsive Next.js frontend on Vercel to a dynamic, serverless Azure Functions backend—Raikoo provides a robust foundation for creating and managing complex workflows. The strategic use of Azure’s data services and security tools further ensures that organizational data remains secure and compliant with varying governance standards.
This architectural overview has outlined the key components, deployment strategies, and domain structures that make Raikoo both powerful and flexible. With its comprehensive support for both web-based and programmatic interactions, as well as seamless integration into external systems, Raikoo is well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of diverse organizations.
As we continue to refine and expand the platform, these core architectural principles will serve as a guiding framework for future enhancements, ensuring that Raikoo remains at the forefront of AI-driven workflow automation.
Appendices / References
This section provides supplementary materials and resources that support the architectural overview of Raikoo. It includes a glossary of terms, visual aids such as architecture diagrams, and references to additional documentation for further exploration.
Glossary of Terms
- Next.js: A React framework used for building server-rendered and statically generated web applications.
- Vercel: A cloud platform for static sites and serverless functions, hosting the Raikoo frontend.
- Azure Functions: A serverless compute service that allows code to run on-demand without managing infrastructure.
- Postgres: An open-source relational database system, deployed in Azure for data persistence.
- Azure Storage Account: A service for storing blobs and files, used for housing workflow artifacts.
- Azure Key Vault: A cloud service for securely managing keys, secrets, and certificates.
- Workflow: A sequence of operations designed to automate a process.
- Operation: A fundamental task within a workflow, which can be either programmatic or AI-based.
- Programmatic Operations: Operations that handle logic, iterations, and utility functions.
- AI-Based Operations: Operations that involve advanced configurations for artificial intelligence tasks, such as prompt management and response processing.
Architecture Diagrams
- System Overview Diagram: A high-level diagram that illustrates the interactions between the Raikoo frontend, API backend, data storage, and security components.
graph TD
TW[Raikoo System Overview]
subgraph UI [User Interfaces]
FE[Web Frontend]
PA[Programmatic API Access]
EXT[Embedded Integrations]
end
subgraph API [Backend Services]
AF[Azure Functions API]
end
subgraph DS [Data & Security]
DB[Postgres Database]
ST[Azure Storage Account]
KV[Azure Key Vault]
end
subgraph OV [Organizational Overrides]
ST_OV[Org Storage Override]
KV_OV[Org Key Vault Override]
end
TW --> UI
TW --> API
TW --> DS
FE -->|User Interaction| AF
PA -->|API Calls| AF
EXT -->|Third-Party Integration| AF
AF -->|Data Persistence| DB
AF -->|Workflow Data| ST
AF -->|Secrets Management| KV
ST --> OV
KV --> OV
U[Users] -->|Access & Interact| FE
- Data Model Diagram: A visual representation of the relationships between organizations, users, projects, workflows, and operations.
graph TD
Org[Organization]
Users[Users]
Projects[Projects]
Secrets[Secrets Management]
Workflows[Workflows]
WfOps[Workflow Operations]
Ops[Operations]
Personas[Personas]
Tools[Tools]
ProgOps[Programmatic Operations]
AIOps[AI-Based Operations]
LogicOps[Logic Operations]
IterOps[Iterative Operations]
UtilOps[Utilitarian Operations]
Prompt[Prompt Configuration]
ToolIntegrations[Tool Integrations]
Align[Alignment Settings]
Response[Response Processing]
Org -->|Contains| Users
Org -->|Contains| Projects
Org -->|Manages| Secrets
Projects -->|Includes| Workflows
Projects -->|Includes| Ops
Projects -->|Includes| Personas
Projects -->|Includes| Tools
Workflows -->|Composed of| WfOps
WfOps -->|Instance of| Ops
Ops -->|Type| ProgOps
Ops -->|Type| AIOps
ProgOps -->|Includes| LogicOps
ProgOps -->|Includes| IterOps
ProgOps -->|Includes| UtilOps
AIOps -->|Configured by| Prompt
AIOps -->|Integrates| ToolIntegrations
AIOps -->|Uses| Align
AIOps -->|Processes| Response
- Deployment Architecture Diagram: A detailed layout of the deployment environment, including Vercel for the frontend, Azure Functions for the API, and the Azure services for data storage and security.
graph TD
DA[Deployment Architecture]
DA --> FD[Frontend Deployment]
DA --> BD[Backend/API Deployment]
DA --> DS[Data Persistence & Storage]
DA --> SI[Security Infrastructure]
subgraph FD [Frontend Deployment]
FD1[Next.js Application]
FD2[Vercel Hosting]
FD1 --> FD2
end
subgraph BD [Backend/API Deployment]
BD1[Azure Functions API]
end
subgraph DS [Data Persistence & Storage]
DS1[Postgres Database]
DS2[Azure Storage Account]
DS2a[Blob & File Storage]
DS2b[Organization Overrides]
DS2 --> DS2a
DS2 --> DS2b
end
subgraph SI [Security Infrastructure]
SI1[Azure Key Vault]
SI2[Secret Management]
SI3[Org-Specific Overrides]
SI1 --> SI2
SI1 --> SI3
end
Additional Documentation and References
- Raikoo Developer Guide: Comprehensive documentation covering API usage, workflow configuration, and integration best practices.
- Operational Best Practices: Guidelines for monitoring, maintaining, and scaling the Raikoo platform, including security practices and performance tuning.
- Azure Documentation:
- Next.js and Vercel Resources: