diff --git a/modules/features/graphicalEditor/entryPoints.py b/modules/features/graphicalEditor/entryPoints.py
index 9ade2e96..e70cfebb 100644
--- a/modules/features/graphicalEditor/entryPoints.py
+++ b/modules/features/graphicalEditor/entryPoints.py
@@ -83,7 +83,60 @@ def normalize_invocations_list(items: Optional[List[Any]]) -> List[Dict[str, Any
     return out
 
 
-# Schedule / cron: wire an external job runner (APScheduler, Celery, system cron) to call
+_NODE_TYPE_TO_KIND = {
+    "trigger.manual": "manual",
+    "trigger.form": "form",
+    "trigger.schedule": "schedule",
+}
+
+
+def invocations_synced_with_graph(
+    graph: Optional[Dict[str, Any]],
+    stored_invocations: Optional[List[Any]],
+) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Derive primary invocation (index 0) from the first start node in ``graph``.
+
+    If the graph has no start node, only non-primary stored invocations are kept
+    (no injected default). Document order in ``nodes`` defines which start wins.
+    """
+    from modules.workflows.automation2.graphUtils import getTriggerNodes
+
+    g = graph if isinstance(graph, dict) else {}
+    nodes = g.get("nodes") or []
+    stored = list(stored_invocations or [])
+    rest: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+    for raw in stored[1:]:
+        if isinstance(raw, dict):
+            rest.append(normalize_invocation_entry(raw))
+
+    triggers = getTriggerNodes(nodes)
+    if not triggers:
+        return rest
+
+    node = triggers[0]
+    nt = str(node.get("type", "")).strip()
+    kind = _NODE_TYPE_TO_KIND.get(nt, "manual")
+    nid = node.get("id")
+    if not nid:
+        nid = str(uuid.uuid4())
+    raw_title = node.get("title") or node.get("label") or "Start"
+
+    old_primary = stored[0] if stored and isinstance(stored[0], dict) else {}
+    config: Dict[str, Any] = {}
+    if isinstance(old_primary.get("config"), dict) and old_primary.get("kind") == kind:
+        config = dict(old_primary["config"])
+    desc = old_primary.get("description") if isinstance(old_primary.get("description"), dict) else {}
+
+    primary_raw: Dict[str, Any] = {
+        "id": str(nid),
+        "kind": kind,
+        "enabled": True,
+        "title": raw_title,
+        "description": desc,
+        "config": config,
+    }
+    primary = normalize_invocation_entry(primary_raw)
+    return [primary] + rest
 # POST .../execute with entryPointId set to a schedule entry — no separate in-process scheduler here yet.
 
 
diff --git a/modules/features/graphicalEditor/interfaceFeatureGraphicalEditor.py b/modules/features/graphicalEditor/interfaceFeatureGraphicalEditor.py
index b0291600..09192d2e 100644
--- a/modules/features/graphicalEditor/interfaceFeatureGraphicalEditor.py
+++ b/modules/features/graphicalEditor/interfaceFeatureGraphicalEditor.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ from modules.features.graphicalEditor.datamodelFeatureGraphicalEditor import (
     AutoRun as Automation2WorkflowRun,
     AutoTask as Automation2HumanTask,
 )
-from modules.features.graphicalEditor.entryPoints import normalize_invocations_list
+from modules.features.graphicalEditor.entryPoints import invocations_synced_with_graph
 from modules.connectors.connectorDbPostgre import DatabaseConnector
 from modules.shared.configuration import APP_CONFIG
 from modules.shared.dbRegistry import registerDatabase
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def getAllWorkflowsForScheduling() -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
         if r.get("active") is False:
             continue
         wf = dict(r)
-        wf["invocations"] = normalize_invocations_list(wf.get("invocations"))
+        wf["invocations"] = invocations_synced_with_graph(wf.get("graph") or {}, wf.get("invocations"))
         invocations = wf.get("invocations") or []
         primary = invocations[0] if invocations else {}
         if not isinstance(primary, dict):
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ class GraphicalEditorObjects:
         )
         rows = [dict(r) for r in records] if records else []
         for wf in rows:
-            wf["invocations"] = normalize_invocations_list(wf.get("invocations"))
+            wf["invocations"] = invocations_synced_with_graph(wf.get("graph") or {}, wf.get("invocations"))
         return rows
 
     def getWorkflow(self, workflowId: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ class GraphicalEditorObjects:
         if not records:
             return None
         wf = dict(records[0])
-        wf["invocations"] = normalize_invocations_list(wf.get("invocations"))
+        wf["invocations"] = invocations_synced_with_graph(wf.get("graph") or {}, wf.get("invocations"))
         return wf
 
     def createWorkflow(self, data: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
@@ -234,10 +234,10 @@ class GraphicalEditorObjects:
             data["targetFeatureInstanceId"] = self.featureInstanceId
         if "active" not in data or data.get("active") is None:
             data["active"] = True
-        data["invocations"] = normalize_invocations_list(data.get("invocations"))
+        data["invocations"] = invocations_synced_with_graph(data.get("graph") or {}, data.get("invocations"))
         created = self.db.recordCreate(Automation2Workflow, data)
         out = dict(created)
-        out["invocations"] = normalize_invocations_list(out.get("invocations"))
+        out["invocations"] = invocations_synced_with_graph(out.get("graph") or {}, out.get("invocations"))
         try:
             from modules.shared.callbackRegistry import callbackRegistry
             callbackRegistry.trigger(_CALLBACK_WORKFLOW_CHANGED)
@@ -252,11 +252,15 @@ class GraphicalEditorObjects:
             return None
         data.pop("mandateId", None)
         data.pop("featureInstanceId", None)
-        if "invocations" in data:
-            data["invocations"] = normalize_invocations_list(data.get("invocations"))
+        if "graph" in data or "invocations" in data:
+            g = data["graph"] if "graph" in data else existing.get("graph")
+            if not isinstance(g, dict):
+                g = {}
+            inv = data["invocations"] if "invocations" in data else existing.get("invocations")
+            data["invocations"] = invocations_synced_with_graph(g, inv)
         updated = self.db.recordModify(Automation2Workflow, workflowId, data)
         out = dict(updated)
-        out["invocations"] = normalize_invocations_list(out.get("invocations"))
+        out["invocations"] = invocations_synced_with_graph(out.get("graph") or {}, out.get("invocations"))
         try:
             from modules.shared.callbackRegistry import callbackRegistry
             callbackRegistry.trigger(_CALLBACK_WORKFLOW_CHANGED)
diff --git a/modules/features/graphicalEditor/nodeDefinitions/triggers.py b/modules/features/graphicalEditor/nodeDefinitions/triggers.py
index 6df39fb0..2f249f2e 100644
--- a/modules/features/graphicalEditor/nodeDefinitions/triggers.py
+++ b/modules/features/graphicalEditor/nodeDefinitions/triggers.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2025 Patrick Motsch
-# Canvas start nodes — variant reflects workflow configuration (gear in editor).
+# Start nodes (palette category ``start``); kinds align with workflow entry points / run envelope.
 
 from modules.shared.i18nRegistry import t
 
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ from modules.features.graphicalEditor.nodeDefinitions.ai import ACTION_RESULT_DA
 TRIGGER_NODES = [
     {
         "id": "trigger.manual",
-        "category": "trigger",
+        "category": "start",
         "label": t("Start"),
-        "description": t("Manuell, API oder Hintergrund-Starts (Webhook, E-Mail, …)."),
+        "description": t("Manuell Trigger. Workflow startet nur, wenn auf Start-Button geklickt wird."),
         "parameters": [],
         "inputs": 0,
         "outputs": 1,
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@ TRIGGER_NODES = [
     },
     {
         "id": "trigger.form",
-        "category": "trigger",
+        "category": "start",
         "label": t("Start (Formular)"),
-        "description": t("Felder werden beim Start befüllt; konfigurieren Sie die Felder auf dieser Node."),
+        "description": t("Formular Trigger. Workflow startet nur, wenn das Formular ausgefüllt und abgeschickt wird."),
         "parameters": [
             {
                 "name": "formFields",
@@ -42,9 +42,9 @@ TRIGGER_NODES = [
     },
     {
         "id": "trigger.schedule",
-        "category": "trigger",
+        "category": "start",
         "label": t("Start (Zeitplan)"),
-        "description": t("Cron-Ausdruck für geplante Läufe."),
+        "description": t("Workflow startet nach dem ausgewählten Zeitplan."),
         "parameters": [
             {
                 "name": "cron",
diff --git a/modules/features/graphicalEditor/nodeRegistry.py b/modules/features/graphicalEditor/nodeRegistry.py
index e67e4de0..fcfc3864 100644
--- a/modules/features/graphicalEditor/nodeRegistry.py
+++ b/modules/features/graphicalEditor/nodeRegistry.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2025 Patrick Motsch
 # All rights reserved.
 """
-Node Type Registry for graphicalEditor - static node definitions (ai, email, sharepoint, trigger, flow, data, input).
+Node Type Registry for graphicalEditor - static node definitions (start, input, flow, data, ai, email, …).
 Nodes are defined first; IO/method actions are used at execution time.
 """
 
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ def getNodeTypesForApi(
     nodes = getNodeTypes(services, language)
     localized = [_localizeNode(n, language) for n in nodes]
     categories = [
-        {"id": "trigger", "label": "Trigger"},
+        {"id": "start", "label": "Start"},
         {"id": "input", "label": "Eingabe/Mensch"},
         {"id": "flow", "label": "Ablauf"},
         {"id": "data", "label": "Daten"},
diff --git a/modules/workflows/automation2/graphUtils.py b/modules/workflows/automation2/graphUtils.py
index 3c1ceb82..65f7084c 100644
--- a/modules/workflows/automation2/graphUtils.py
+++ b/modules/workflows/automation2/graphUtils.py
@@ -146,8 +146,15 @@ def getInputSources(nodeId: str, connectionMap: Dict[str, List[Tuple[str, int, i
 
 
 def getTriggerNodes(nodes: List[Dict]) -> List[Dict]:
-    """Return nodes with category=trigger or type starting with trigger."""
-    return [n for n in nodes if (n.get("type", "").startswith("trigger.") or n.get("category") == "trigger")]
+    """Return start/trigger nodes: type ``trigger.*``, or category ``trigger`` / ``start``."""
+    return [
+        n
+        for n in nodes
+        if (
+            str(n.get("type", "")).startswith("trigger.")
+            or n.get("category") in ("trigger", "start")
+        )
+    ]
 
 
 def validateGraph(graph: Dict[str, Any], nodeTypeIds: Set[str]) -> List[str]:
@@ -186,6 +193,11 @@ def validateGraph(graph: Dict[str, Any], nodeTypeIds: Set[str]) -> List[str]:
         logger.warning("validateGraph port mismatches: %s", port_errors)
         errors.extend(port_errors)
 
+    if nodes and not getTriggerNodes(nodes):
+        errors.append(
+            "Workflow has no start node: add a node from the Start category before running."
+        )
+
     if errors:
         logger.debug("validateGraph errors: %s", errors)
     else:
diff --git a/tests/unit/workflows/test_automation2_graphUtils.py b/tests/unit/workflows/test_automation2_graphUtils.py
index d5c88acf..f4249a1b 100644
--- a/tests/unit/workflows/test_automation2_graphUtils.py
+++ b/tests/unit/workflows/test_automation2_graphUtils.py
@@ -5,7 +5,36 @@ Unit tests for automation2 graphUtils - resolveParameterReferences (ref/value fo
 
 import pytest
 
-from modules.workflows.automation2.graphUtils import resolveParameterReferences
+from modules.workflows.automation2.graphUtils import resolveParameterReferences, validateGraph
+
+
+_KNOWN_TYPES = frozenset({"trigger.manual", "trigger.form", "ai.prompt", "flow.pass"})
+
+
+class TestValidateGraphStartNode:
+    """Non-empty graphs must include at least one start (trigger.*) node."""
+
+    def test_empty_graph_ok_without_start(self):
+        assert validateGraph({"nodes": [], "connections": []}, _KNOWN_TYPES) == []
+
+    def test_non_empty_graph_without_start_fails(self):
+        graph = {
+            "nodes": [{"id": "a", "type": "ai.prompt", "parameters": {}}],
+            "connections": [],
+        }
+        errs = validateGraph(graph, _KNOWN_TYPES)
+        assert any("no start node" in e.lower() for e in errs)
+
+    def test_non_empty_graph_with_start_ok(self):
+        graph = {
+            "nodes": [
+                {"id": "t", "type": "trigger.manual", "parameters": {}},
+                {"id": "a", "type": "ai.prompt", "parameters": {}},
+            ],
+            "connections": [],
+        }
+        errs = validateGraph(graph, _KNOWN_TYPES)
+        assert not any("no start node" in e.lower() for e in errs)
 
 
 class TestResolveParameterReferences: