Nodes explained
Every node on the canvas has a job. This is a quick reference for each type: what it is, when to reach for it, and what to use it for. For how they connect into a map, read The mind map first.
Project node
AI B-roll Maker
https://github.com/VolkisAI/ai-broll-makerConnect your AI agent
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What it is. The root of one app. It holds every other node and is the first thing your agent reads when it opens your project.
When to use it. Create one per app you are building, then give it a name and a short line on what the app does.
What to use it for.
- Naming your app and describing its purpose in a sentence
- Linking the GitHub repo your agent will build into
- Connecting your AI agent so it can read the whole map
Feature node
this is a dashboard to view all projects
What it is. One main part of your app, like a login page, a dashboard, or a checkout.
When to use it. Add one for each core thing a user can do, and keep the list short so the map stays focused on the problem you are solving.
What to use it for.
- Splitting your app into the handful of parts that matter
- Giving each part a name and a one line description
- Hanging sub features, notes and a PRD Bridge underneath it
Sub feature
Sub-features
Child features
Analytics
Users can see the top level analytics, like revenue, cost, CPM and profit for example
What it is. A screen or flow that lives inside a feature, listed as a set of cards.
When to use it. Break a larger feature into the individual screens a user moves through, so the agent builds them one at a time.
What to use it for.
- Listing the screens in a feature, like sign up, sign in and reset password
- Breaking a long flow into steps the agent can build in order
- Keeping a big feature readable instead of one vague block
Bridge node
What it is. A small hub that branches off a feature so you can fan out and add more nodes to it in one place.
When to use it. Reach for it when a feature needs extra context, like a note, a mood board, or a PRD, and you want it grouped tidily.
What to use it for.
- Fanning a feature out into the extra nodes it needs
- Keeping related context under one connection point
- Adding a note or a mood board without cluttering the feature card
Notes
Notes
Dashboard
A single place to view all projects at a glance. The dashboard is the first screen users land on, so it has to answer one question fast: what should I work on next?
What it shows
- Every project with its status and last activity time
- Quick filters for active, shared, and archived work
- A rollup of open tasks pulled from each project board
Keep the layout calm. One primary action per card, and never more than 3 stats per tile so the screen stays scannable.
What it is. A plain language description attached to a feature, marked with a green tab.
When to use it. Use it to tell the agent how something should behave, in your own words. It is the cheapest way to add context.
What to use it for.
- Spelling out a rule, like passwords must be at least eight characters
- Describing how a screen should behave when something goes wrong
- Leaving context you would otherwise repeat in chat every time
PRD Bridge
Generate PRD
Get Started Creating Your PRD
Select the type of Product Requirements Document you'd like to generate
Frontend / UI
Generate requirements for user interface and frontend features
Backend Features
Generate requirements for backend logic and API endpoints
Database Design
Generate requirements for database schema and data models
What it is. The node that turns a mapped feature into a plan, marked with purple tabs. It writes your front end and back end PRDs together.
When to use it. Reach for it once a feature is mapped and you are ready to generate the plan your agent will follow.
What to use it for.
- Generating a feature's front end and back end PRDs in one step
- Keeping the two sides of a feature consistent from the start
- Choosing which kind of PRD to create: frontend, backend or database
Frontend PRD
Frontend PRD
Task Dashboard
The dashboard is the first screen a signed in user sees. It shows their active projects and a summary of what needs attention.
Layout
- A left rail lists every project the user owns.
- The main panel shows a grid of task cards for the selected project.
- A top bar holds search, filters, and the new task button.
Components
- Project card shows the title, task count, and a colored status dot.
- Task card shows the title, assignee, due date, and a priority pill.
- Empty state appears when a project has no tasks yet.
Behavior
- Selecting a project loads its tasks in place, with no full reload.
- Creating a task opens a side panel and adds the card on save.
- Moving a card between columns updates its status instantly.
What it is. The plan for what a user sees, covering the screens and how the interface should look and behave.
When to use it. Generate it from the PRD Bridge when you want the agent to build the visible half of a feature.
What to use it for.
- Describing the screens, layout and states of a feature
- Pointing the agent at the look and feel from your mood board
- Giving the front end a brief that matches the back end plan
Backend PRD
Backend PRD
Overview
This service exposes the REST API and background jobs that power the project workspace. It handles authentication, persistence, and the sync layer between the editor and the live preview.
Core Responsibilities
- Auth session issuing, refresh, and organization scoping
- Projects create, read, update, share, and version history
- Sync websocket fan-out for multiplayer edits
API Endpoints
POST /api/projectscreate a new projectGET /api/projects/:idfetch a project with its nodesPUT /api/prds/:idupdate PRD content and name
Data Model
Project
id uuid pk
org_id uuid fk
name text
created_at timestamptzNon-functional
- p95 request latency under 200ms
- Horizontal scaling behind the load balancer
- Structured logging with request tracing
What it is. The plan for the logic behind the screens, the data it reads and writes, and how the pieces connect.
When to use it. Generate it alongside the front end PRD when a feature needs real behaviour, not just a layout.
What to use it for.
- Describing the logic and rules a feature runs on
- Setting out the data it stores and the shape of that data
- Giving the back end a brief that matches the front end plan
Less common nodes
You will not reach for these on every feature, but they earn their place when a screen needs a look, a shape, or a layout pinned down. They work exactly like the core nodes, so they are tucked away here to keep the map above uncluttered.
Mood Board node
Design inspiration
What it is. A place to pin the look and feel you want, from colours to reference images, marked with a blue tab.
When to use it. Use it early so the agent matches the style you pictured rather than a generic default.
What to use it for.
- Pinning screenshots of apps whose style you like
- Collecting the colours and type that fit your brand
- Giving a Frontend PRD a visual reference to build toward
Database PRD
Database PRD
Overview
The data layer for the workspace. Every project owns a set of canvas nodes, and each PRD document is versioned and linked back to the node that produced it.
Entities
- Project top-level container owned by an organization
- Node a single card on the canvas (feature, PRD, or table)
- Document a versioned PRD attached to one node
Tables
| Table | Purpose |
|---|---|
| projects | Workspaces owned by an org |
| nodes | Cards placed on the canvas |
| documents | Versioned PRD content |
Relationships
- A project has many nodes
- A node has at most one document
- A document references many tables
Each table in the plan also shows on the canvas as a small schematic node, so you can see your data shape at a glance.
What it is. The plan for the data your app stores, such as the tables and the fields inside them.
When to use it. Add it when a feature needs to save or read data, so the front end and back end build against the same shape.
What to use it for.
- Laying out the tables your app needs and their fields
- Keeping one source of truth for how your data is shaped
- Making sure the front end and back end agree on what is stored
UI mockup node
Landing page hero
What it is. A rough sketch of what a screen should contain and roughly where things go, marked with a purple tab.
When to use it. Add one when the layout matters and words alone would leave too much open to interpretation.
What to use it for.
- Sketching where the main pieces of a screen sit
- Showing the agent a layout instead of describing it in prose
- Removing guesswork on screens where position matters