Cable-net　structural　design　generally　includes　the　initial　state,　load　state,　and　zero-stress　state,　and　adjusting　design　variables　through　manual　intervention　is　difficult　to　correlate　these　different　states.　Thus,　correlating　the　structural　configurations　among　these　states　and　finding　the　corresponding　design　variables　is　a　challenge.　By　clarifying　the　relationship　between　the　three　states,　a　complete　automated　design　process　with　three　states　connected　by　two　new　parameters　is　presented.　Two　typical　cable　nets　are　designed　and　validated,　and　the　corresponding　indicators　are　evaluated　and　recommended.　This　method　can　be　applied　to　almost　all　flexible　cable　nets　with　constrained　boundaries　and　provides　an　efficient　way　for　designers　to　obtain　reasonable　results　in　the　preliminary　design　stage.　The　proposed　method　expands　the　entire　design　path　from　initial　form-finding　to　the　load　state　and　the　zero-stress　state,　providing　an　important　reference　for　the　standardized　paradigm　and　automated　approach　to　flexible　structural　design.　©　2024　Elsevier　B.V.