| name | mindnode-ui |
| description | Build MindNode-inspired mind mapping interfaces — 8 node shapes, 27+ themes, layout algorithms (horizontal, vertical, radial with D3), keyboard shortcuts, focus mode, dual view. React + xyflow/react v12 + Zustand + Tailwind. Triggers on mind map, visual thinking tool, node-based diagram, brainstorm canvas, MindNode. |
MindNode UI
Build mind mapping interfaces inspired by MindNode — the Apple-native visual thinking app by IdeasOnCanvas GmbH. This skill encodes MindNode's design system, interaction model, and layout algorithms, adapted for React + ReactFlow + Zustand + Tailwind CSS 3.
Key Design Principles
- Visual-first thinking — spatial canvas for non-linear ideas, outline for linear structure
- Apple-native aesthetic — soft rounded elements, generous whitespace, purple accent (#6C63FF)
- ADHD-friendly — Focus mode isolates one subtree, Quick Entry captures ideas fast
- Keyboard-driven — Tab=child, Return=sibling, arrows=navigate, no mouse required
Quick Reference
Node Shapes (8)
| Shape | Key | Use Case |
|---|
| Rounded | Default | General ideas |
| Rectangle | Structured | Facts, definitions |
| Pill | Stadium | Tags, labels |
| Cloud | Organic | Brainstorms |
| Line | Minimal | Subtitles |
| Embedded | Inset | References |
| Hexagon | Process | Decision points |
| Octagon | Warning | Critical items |
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Mac | Description |
|---|
| New child | Tab | Add child to selected node |
| New sibling | Return | Add sibling after selected |
| New main | Shift+Return | Add root-level branch |
| Edit title | Cmd+Return | Enter contentEditable mode |
| Navigate | Arrow keys | Move between nodes |
| Fold/unfold | Option+. | Toggle subtree visibility |
| Cross-link | Cmd+L | Connect non-adjacent nodes |
| Mind map view | Cmd+1 | Switch to canvas view |
| Outline view | Cmd+2 | Switch to list view |
| Delete | Backspace | Remove node, re-parent children |
Theme Types
| Type | Behavior | Example |
|---|
| Dynamic | Auto light/dark adaptation | Elegant, Fresh |
| Static | Fixed colors | Rainbow, Goth Pastel, Twilight |
| Personal | Extracted from current document | User-defined |
Layout Directions
| Direction | Root Position | Tree Expands |
|---|
| Horizontal | Left | Rightward (default) |
| Vertical | Top | Downward |
| Compact | Center | Outward (dense) |
| Radial | Center | All directions (polar) |
Reference Files
Load these on demand based on what aspect of MindNode UI is needed.
Routing Table
| When working on... | Load |
|---|
| Color palette, typography, visual language, Apple aesthetic | references/design-system.md |
| Node shapes, SVG paths, contentEditable, Node Well | references/node-types.md |
| Dynamic/static themes, per-level colors, theme gallery | references/themes.md |
| Tree layout, D3 radial, auto-arrange, flexible positioning | references/layout-algorithms.md |
| Keyboard shortcuts, focus mode, drag, outline sync | references/interaction-patterns.md |
| Dual view (mind map + outline), canvas, connections, export | references/canvas-and-views.md |
| ReactFlow custom nodes/edges, Zustand store, performance | references/reactflow-integration.md |
| Porting to Project Pilot specifically | references/project-pilot-porting.md |
Key Implementation Patterns
Node Well (Primary Creation UX)
The plus button appearing on hover/selection that creates a child node. This is MindNode's signature interaction — not a toolbar, not a menu, but a contextual affordance on each node.
→ See references/node-types.md for implementation details.
D3 Radial Tree Layout
Compute tree positions with d3.tree(), then transform to polar coordinates:
x = radius × cos(angle − π/2)
y = radius × sin(angle − π/2)
→ See references/layout-algorithms.md for full algorithm with code.
Per-Level Hierarchical Theming
Each theme defines colors per depth level: root (prominent), level 1 (branch colors, cycled from palette), level 2+ (progressively softer). Branch children inherit their parent's color family.
→ See references/themes.md for theme data structures and CSS generation.
Dual View Sync
Mind map and outline views share a single data model. Changes in either view propagate immediately. Selection state syncs bidirectionally.
→ See references/canvas-and-views.md for architecture and data model.
Tech Stack Assumptions
This skill assumes:
- React 18 with TypeScript
- @xyflow/react v12 for the canvas (custom nodes, edges, handles)
- Zustand for state management (single store with slices)
- Tailwind CSS 3 with CSS custom properties (
var(--color-*))
- D3 (
d3-hierarchy, d3-shape) for tree layout computation
- No Framer Motion on ReactFlow nodes — RF manages transforms, FM would override them
For Project Pilot–specific adaptation, see references/project-pilot-porting.md.
