NodeTool User Interface

This handbook covers the NodeTool interface, helping you navigate the desktop and web versions efficiently.

Contents

  1. Top-level layout
  2. Dashboard
  3. Panels and layout management
  4. Workflow Editor
  5. Global Chat
  6. Mini-Apps
  7. Assets
  8. Models Manager
  9. Command Menu
  10. Keyboard shortcuts

Top-level layout

NodeTool is divided into a fixed App Header and a flexible workspace.

App Header

  • Navigation and App Title
  • Quick access to Models, Assets, Templates, and Chat
  • User account and Settings
  • Download status indicator

Work surfaces

  • Dashboard: Your home base for workflows, templates, and chat.
  • Workflow Editor: The visual graph builder.
  • Global Chat: Full-screen AI assistant.
  • Mini-Apps: Simplified interface for running workflows.
  • Assets: File explorer for your media and documents.

Dashboard

The Dashboard is the default view, hosting panels for Workflows, Recent chats, Templates, and Setup.

Key actions

  • Open workflows or launch templates
  • Create new workflows or chat threads
  • Customize your workspace layout

Panels and layout management

You can customize the interface by moving and resizing panels.

  • Drag tabs to re-order or split the view (horizontally/vertically)
  • Resize panels by dragging borders
  • Close panels with the X icon
  • Add panels from the “Add Panel” dropdown
  • Save/Restore layouts using the Layout menu

Workflow Editor

The editor is where you build your logic graphs.

Canvas controls

  • Pan: Space + drag or right-mouse drag
  • Zoom: Ctrl/⌘ + scroll
  • Fit view: F or Ctrl/⌘+0
  • Auto layout: Automatically tidy the graph

Nodes and connections

  • Add Node: Press Space or double-click the canvas to open the search menu.
  • Connect: Drag from an output handle to an input handle.
  • Smart Connect: Drop a connection on empty space to see compatible nodes.

Selection and editing

  • Select: Click or drag a box. Shift-click for multi-select.
  • Duplicate: Ctrl/⌘+D
  • Group: Ctrl/⌘+G
  • History: Ctrl/⌘+Z (Undo) and Ctrl/⌘+Shift+Z (Redo)

Properties

Select a node to view its Properties panel on the right. This is where you configure inputs, view outputs, and see validation errors.

Global Chat

Global Chat is your AI assistant for help and automation.

  • Threads: Create, rename, and manage multiple conversation histories.
  • Agent Mode: Enable this to let the AI use tools and modify your workflows directly.
  • Rich Media: Supports text, images, audio, and video interactions.

Mini-Apps

The Mini-App Runner transforms a workflow into a clean user interface.

  • Input Form: Automatically generated from your workflow inputs.
  • Progress: Real-time status updates.
  • Results: View generated outputs without seeing the underlying graph.

Assets

The Asset Explorer lets you manage files within NodeTool.

  • Browse: Grid and table views.
  • Preview: Built-in viewers for audio, video, images, and text.
  • Drag & Drop: Drag files directly into the editor to create reference nodes.

Models Manager

Manage your local and cloud AI models.

  • Search & Filter: Find models by name, provider, or capability.
  • Download: One-click downloads with background progress tracking.
  • Configuration: Set up API keys and preferences in Settings.

Command Menu

Press Alt+K or ⌘+K to open the Command Menu. It’s the fastest way to:

  • Open workflows
  • Switch layouts
  • Create nodes
  • Navigate to different sections

Keyboard shortcuts

Global

  • 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 editor tabs

Editor

  • 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

Chat

  • Enter: Send message
  • Shift+Enter: New line
  • Esc: Stop generation