The NodeTool desktop app is built on Electron. It reuses the web app for all workflow editing but adds a handful of native surfaces: a boot splash, package manager, log viewer, tray menu, pinned windows, and a native menu bar.
This page catalogs every desktop-only view with screenshots. Everything inside the main window is covered by User Interface and Workflow Editor.
Boot Message (Splash)
A minimal splash appears while the embedded Python runtime, backend server, and web app all come online.
The splash streams progress messages — “Starting Python…”, “Warming models…”, “Connecting to server…”. It closes the moment the backend reports ready.
There is no separate install wizard — the embedded Python environment and packages are checked and set up in the background at startup, and node packs and runtimes are managed from the Package Manager window.
Package Manager
Opens from the app menu or ⌘K → Open Package Manager. A native window sized 1200×900 that manages:
- Installed node packs and their upgrade availability.
- Optional AI runtimes (torch CUDA, torch MPS, llama.cpp).
- Conda environment health (Python version, cached wheels).
- Integrity checks — re-download a broken runtime in one click.
See Node Packs for where packs come from and how to publish your own.
Log Viewer
A persistent window that tails the backend log. Helpful for debugging without dropping to a terminal.
Each row is color-coded by severity — info, warning, or error. The viewer is a straightforward table tail with no level/component filters, search, or jump-to-source.
Update Notification
When a new desktop release is available, a discreet toast appears with Install now and Later actions. The app restarts into the new build; there’s no mandatory update interrupting a run.
Pinned Windows
Electron adds a few borderless, always-on-top window types:
Workflow Execution Window
A frameless window that runs a single workflow with the inputs collapsed and the outputs centered. Great for a pinned dashboard on a second monitor.
Mini-App Window
A self-contained Mini-App launched from the tray. Maximum size 1200×900. Closing it doesn’t quit NodeTool.
Chat Window
Standalone chat opened from the tray. Same content as /standalone-chat but in its own window.
System Tray
The tray icon stays running while NodeTool is active and exposes quick actions:
| Action | What it does |
|---|---|
| Show NodeTool | Bring up the main window |
| Chat | Launch the standalone chat window |
| Mini Apps | Submenu of mini-apps published from your workflows |
| Package Manager | Open the Package Manager window |
| Log Viewer | Tail the backend log |
| Settings | Native settings window |
| Open Log File | Open the raw log file in the OS file handler |
| Quit NodeTool | Stop the backend and exit |
Above these actions the tray shows non-clickable status lines (server and managed-service state) plus a Managed Model Services submenu — for example a Llama.cpp entry to Install / Start / Stop the local server and toggle “Start on App Startup” — along with Start Service / Stop Service to control the backend and an On Close Behavior submenu.
Native Menu Bar
On macOS and Windows a native menu bar is attached to the main window.
On macOS the app menu (NodeTool) holds the standard About / Services / Hide / Quit items; Quit uses the platform default and has no explicit accelerator in the menu.
File
| Item | Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Save | Ctrl/⌘ + S |
Save the active workflow |
| New Workflow | Ctrl/⌘ + T |
Open a blank workflow in a new tab |
| Close Tab | Ctrl/⌘ + W |
Close the active editor tab |
Edit
Undo, Redo, Cut, Copy, Paste, Duplicate, Duplicate Vertical, Group, Select All, Align, and Align with Spacing — mapped to the same shortcuts used on the canvas.
View
| Item | Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Fit View | Ctrl/⌘ + 0 |
Fit the graph to the viewport |
| Reset Zoom | Reset the canvas zoom | |
| Zoom In | Zoom the canvas in | |
| Zoom Out | Zoom the canvas out | |
| Toggle Fullscreen | Enter/exit fullscreen |
Tools
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Chat | Open the standalone chat window |
| Package Manager | Open the Package Manager window |
| Log Viewer | Open the Log Viewer window |
| Performance Monitor | Open the performance monitor window |
| Settings | Open the native settings window |
There is no in-menu Reload or DevTools item; DevTools toggles with Ctrl/⌘ + Shift + I and only in unpackaged (dev) builds.
Window / Help
Window offers the platform-standard Minimize. Help has Learn More (opens https://nodetool.ai) and System Information (a native dialog with app, OS, and runtime versions).
Where the Electron Code Lives
For contributors:
electron/src/main.ts— entry point, window lifecycle.electron/src/window.ts— main window.electron/src/workflowWindow.ts— pinned workflow and mini-app windows.electron/src/tray.ts— tray icon and menu.electron/src/menu.ts— native menu bar.electron/src/components/— React components for the native windows.
See the Electron developer guide for build and debugging tips.
Related Docs
- Installation — download and first-run
- Configuration — settings persisted per-user
- Troubleshooting — boot and install issues
- Deployment — self-hosted / cloud alternatives