A complete tour of the NodeTool interface — covering the Dashboard, Workflow Canvas, Global Chat, Mini-Apps, and Assets. Everything described here applies to both the desktop app and web version.
New to NodeTool? Start with the Getting Started guide to run your first workflow, then come back here for the full interface walkthrough.
Looking for every view at a glance? See the App Views Gallery — a visual index of every screen, panel, and dialog with links to detailed docs.
At a Glance
NodeTool has five workspaces:
| Workspace | Purpose | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard | Home screen | Starting projects, finding templates |
| Workflow Canvas | Building workflows | Creating and designing workflows |
| Global Chat | Conversational AI | Quick iterations, chatting with AI |
| Mini-Apps | Simplified interfaces | Sharing workflows with others |
| Assets | Media library | Managing files |
The App Header
The header bar is your creative command center (always visible at the top):
- Logo/Title – Click to return to Dashboard
- Models – Manage your AI models (Flux, Qwen Image, etc.)
- Assets – Access your media library
- Templates – Browse creative workflow templates
- Chat – Open conversational AI mode
- Settings – Configure API keys, preferences, account
- Download indicator – Shows model/asset download progress
Dashboard
The Dashboard is the home screen.
Contents
- Your Workflows – Saved projects
- Templates – Ready-to-use workflows
- Recent Chats – Past conversations
- Getting Started Panel – Interactive onboarding guide for new users with step-by-step instructions
Common Actions
| Task | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| Start a new creation | Click “New Workflow” button |
| Open a saved workflow | Click any workflow card |
| Try a template | Browse Templates, click to open |
| Continue a chat | Click a recent chat thread |
Workflow Canvas
Build workflows visually by connecting nodes.
The Canvas
The center area is an infinite canvas for arranging workflows.
Navigation:
- Pan: Hold
Spaceand drag, or right-click drag - Zoom:
Ctrl/⌘+ scroll wheel - Fit all: Press
F
Adding Nodes
To add a node:
- Press
Spaceanywhere on canvas, OR - Double-click an empty area
This opens the Node Library:
- Search by typing (e.g., “generate image”, “transform video”)
- Browse categories on the left (Image, Video, Audio, Text)
- Click a node to add it
Connecting Nodes
Connections show data flow between nodes:
- Find the circles on nodes (outputs on right, inputs on left)
- Click and drag from an output circle
- Release on an input circle of another node
Tip: Drop a connection on empty space to see compatible nodes.
Properties Panel
When you select a node, the right panel shows its configuration:
- Inputs – What the node needs
- Settings – Configuration options
- Output – What the node produces
Global Chat
AI assistant built into NodeTool.
Features
- Chat with AI models
- Run workflows from conversation
- Agent Mode for autonomous task execution
- File sharing – images, audio, documents
Chat Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Threads | Multiple conversations, each with its own history |
| Model Selector | Choose which AI model to chat with |
| Workflow Menu | Attach and run your saved workflows |
| Agent Mode | Let the AI use tools and modify your canvas |
Standalone Chat Window
Access chat directly from the system tray for quick conversations:
- Quick Access: Click the tray icon → Chat to open a dedicated chat window
- Focused Interface: Chat without the full NodeTool interface
- Background Access: Start conversations while other apps are open
- Thread Persistence: All threads sync with the main application
Mini-Apps
Convert workflows into simple apps.
Purpose
- Hide complexity – Users see only inputs and outputs
- Share easily – No NodeTool knowledge required
- Focused interface – Just what users need
How It Works
- Build your workflow in the Editor
- Click Mini-App in the top-right
- See a clean interface with just:
- Input fields (from your Input nodes)
- Run button
- Output results
Standalone Mini-App Windows
Launch mini-apps in dedicated windows from the system tray:
- Quick Launch: Right-click the tray icon to see available mini-apps
- Independent Windows: Run mini-apps without opening the main editor
- Background Execution: Keep mini-apps running while working on other tasks
Mini-Apps
Turn a workflow into a simple form-based app for sharing.
Running a Mini-App
- Inside the app — open the Mini-App from the Templates panel or from
/apps/:workflowId. - Standalone window (desktop) — launch a mini-app from the tray; it opens in its own window.
- Mobile — see Mobile App → Mini Apps.
See the full Electron Views docs for the desktop runner.
Assets
The Asset Explorer manages all your files.
Supported Files
- Images: PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP
- Audio: MP3, WAV, M4A
- Video: MP4, MOV, WebM
- Documents: PDF, TXT, Markdown
Working with Assets
| Action | How |
|---|---|
| Upload files | Drag & drop into Assets panel |
| Use in workflow | Drag asset onto the canvas |
| Preview | Click any asset to preview |
| Organize | Create folders, rename files |
Audio Player
The built-in audio player features waveform visualization:
- Visual Waveforms: See the audio shape with WaveSurfer.js integration
- Playback Controls: Play, pause, and seek through audio files
- Preview in Workflows: Audio results display with interactive waveforms
Models Manager
Download, organize, and configure AI models.
Finding Models
- Search by name or task type
- Filter by provider (local, OpenAI, etc.)
- Sort by size or popularity
Managing Downloads
- One-click install for any supported model
- Progress tracking in the header
- Space usage shown per model
- Easy uninstall to free space
Panels and Layout
NodeTool’s interface is flexible – customize it to your workflow.
Rearranging Panels
- Move: Drag a panel tab to a new location
- Split: Drag a tab to the edge of another panel
- Resize: Drag the borders between panels
- Close: Click the X on any tab
- Restore: Use View menu to add closed panels back
Saving Layouts
Your layout is saved automatically. To reset:
- View → Reset Layout restores defaults
Command Menu
Press Alt+K (Windows/Linux) or ⌘+K (Mac) to open the Command Menu.
This is the fastest way to:
- Open any workflow
- Switch between sections
- Search for anything
- Access settings
Just start typing what you want!
Keyboard Shortcuts
Essentials
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Space |
Open node menu |
Ctrl/⌘ + Enter |
Run workflow |
Ctrl/⌘ + S |
Save |
Ctrl/⌘ + Z |
Undo |
F |
Fit view |
Esc |
Stop workflow |
All Shortcuts
Global
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Alt+K / ⌘+K |
Command Menu |
Ctrl/⌘+N |
New workflow |
Ctrl/⌘+O |
Open workflow |
Ctrl/⌘+S |
Save |
Ctrl/⌘+Z |
Undo |
Ctrl/⌘+Shift+Z |
Redo |
Ctrl/⌘+1…9 |
Switch tabs |
Editor
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Space + Drag |
Pan |
Ctrl/⌘ + Scroll |
Zoom |
F |
Fit to screen |
Ctrl/⌘+Enter |
Run workflow |
Esc |
Stop workflow |
Ctrl/⌘+D |
Duplicate |
Ctrl/⌘+G |
Group |
A |
Align nodes |
Delete / Backspace |
Delete selection |
Chat
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Enter |
Send message |
Shift+Enter |
New line |
Esc |
Stop generation |
Next Steps
- App Views Gallery – Visual index of every screen, panel, and dialog
- Workflow Editor deep dive – Master the canvas
- Editor Panels – Left, right, bottom, and floating panels
- Tips & Tricks – Power user secrets
- Cookbook – Learn workflow patterns