Skip to content

Side Questscourse

  • Course summary


    Side Quests are standalone training mini-courses that go deeper into specific Nextflow topics.

    Each side quest can be done independently, in any order, to build your skills in the specific areas that matter most to your own projects. Together, they cover the skills you need to move from simple pipelines to production-ready workflows.

  • Additional information


    Technical requirements

    You will need a GitHub account OR a local installation of Nextflow. Our training courses are compatible with Nextflow version 25.10.2 or later and require the use of the v2 parser. See Environment options for more details.

    Learning objectives
    • Set up and configure a productive Nextflow development environment
    • Apply advanced scripting patterns for complex data transformations
    • Handle and propagate metadata through multi-step workflows
    • Split and group data channels for parallel and serial processing
    • Test Nextflow workflows using nf-test
    • Compose complex pipelines from reusable named workflow modules
    • Work efficiently with files using Nextflow file operations
    • Debug common workflow issues systematically
    • Use and build Nextflow plugins
    Audience & prerequisites
    • Audience: This collection is designed for learners who have completed the Hello Nextflow beginner course and want to go deeper into specific topics.
    • Skills: Experience with the command line and familiarity with basic Nextflow concepts and tooling is assumed.
    • Courses: Must have completed Hello Nextflow or equivalent.

Browse by Topic

If this is your first time taking one of our trainings, start with the Getting started page for an overview of the training environment and materials. Otherwise, feel free to dive straight into whichever quest calls to you.

Side QuestSummaryTime Estimate
Developer Tools & Tricks
Development EnvironmentSet up and configure a productive local Nextflow development environment45 mins
Troubleshooting WorkflowsIdentifying and fixing common workflow errors1 hour
Essential Scripting PatternsAdvanced scripting techniques for common workflow challenges90 mins
Deep Dives into Dataflow
File Input ProcessingFile handling, path operations, and organizing outputs45 mins
Metadata and Meta MapsUsing metadata maps to track and propagate sample information45 mins
Splitting and GroupingTechniques for splitting and regrouping data channels45 mins
Modular Architecture in Action
Workflows of WorkflowsComposing complex pipelines from reusable named workflow modules30 mins
The Nextflow Extended Universe
Testing with nf-testWriting and running tests for Nextflow workflows1 hour
Plugin DevelopmentUsing and building Nextflow plugins3 hours

Get started