| name | mindmap-format |
| description | How to create, read, and edit .mindmap files. Use this skill when the user asks to create a mindmap, brainstorm visually, map out ideas, or when working with existing .mindmap files. |
Mindmap File Format
.mindmap files are standard markdown that Nimbalyst renders as an interactive mindmap. You can create and edit them directly -- no special tools needed.
Syntax
Tree structure
| Syntax | Mindmap level |
|---|
# Heading | Root node (exactly one per file) |
## Heading | Depth 1 branches |
### Heading | Depth 2 branches |
- List item | Deeper nodes (indentation = depth) |
- Nested item | 2 spaces per indent level |
Headings define the top 3 levels. Below that, indented list items handle arbitrary nesting.
Notes
Blockquotes immediately after a node become that node's note:
## Branch Name
> This note is attached to "Branch Name".
> It can span multiple lines.
Metadata
Inline {key: value} at the end of a node line:
- Task name {color: green, status: todo, tags: frontend, urgent}
Supported keys:
color: default, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink
status: none, idea, question, todo, in-progress, done
tags: comma-separated list
Frontmatter
YAML frontmatter stores the document title:
---
title: My Mindmap
---
Complete example
---
title: Project Plan
---
# Project Plan
> High-level roadmap for Q2.
## Research {color: blue}
- User interviews {status: done}
- Competitive analysis {status: in-progress}
- Feature comparison
- Pricing analysis
## Design {color: purple}
### Wireframes
- Homepage {status: done}
- Dashboard {tags: priority}
### Prototypes
- Interactive prototype {status: todo}
## Engineering {color: green}
- API design
> RESTful endpoints for the core product.
- Authentication
- Data models
- Frontend
- Component library
- State management
Rules
- Exactly one
# heading (the root node)
## and ### for the top levels, then - lists for deeper nesting
- 2 spaces per indent level for list items
- Metadata
{...} goes at the end of the node line, not on a separate line
- Notes
> ... go on the line(s) immediately after the node they belong to
- Blank lines between sections improve readability but are optional
- The file extension is
.mindmap (not .md)