> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vibeflow.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using the Editor

> Master VibeFlow's visual editor to build powerful backends without code

## The Visual Editor

VibeFlow's visual editor lets you build backend workflows by connecting nodes on a canvas. Right-click to add nodes, click to configure them, and connect them to implement your API endpoints.

## Editor Layout

### 1. Flow Canvas (Center)

The main workspace where you build your backend visually:

* Drag and drop nodes from the left sidebar
* Connect nodes by their handles to define your logic
* Right-click the canvas to open the context menu
* Click any node to configure it

### 2. Node Palette (Left Sidebar)

A categorized list of all available nodes. Drag nodes from here onto the canvas to add them to your workflow.

### 3. AI Chat (Left, Collapsible)

Describe what you want to build in natural language and let AI generate or modify your workflow. You can collapse this panel when you don't need it.

### 4. Tabbed Panel (Right)

A panel with multiple tabs for different tasks:

* **Code:** View and edit the generated source code
* **Preview:** Live preview of your running application with real-time updates
* **Additional tabs** for configuration and testing

### 5. Top Bar

Access your project name, collaboration settings, and the **Deploy** button from the top of the editor.

## Working with Nodes

### Adding Nodes

<Steps>
  <Step title="Right-Click Canvas">
    Right-click anywhere on the canvas to open the context menu with available
    nodes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Your Node">
    Select the node you need from the categorized context menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Settings">
    Click the newly added node to configure its settings in the properties
    panel.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Connecting Nodes

Nodes have connection handles that you use to implement your workflow.
To connect nodes:

1. Click and drag from a node's output handle
2. Drop on another node's input handle
3. The connection implements the workflow step

### Node Configuration

Nodes have two states:

* **Valid:** All required parameters are configured
* **Invalid:** Missing required configuration (shown with error indicators)

Click any node to configure its settings in the properties panel.

## Building Workflows

When you connect nodes, you're implementing the logic flow for a workflow. For example:

```
Frontend Element → Mutation → Return
```

This creates a workflow that:

1. Triggers from a frontend interaction
2. Executes database mutations
3. Returns the response

Other workflows might start with a Webhook node (for external API calls) or a Cron node (for scheduled tasks).

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Explore Node Types" icon="puzzle-piece" href="/nodes">
    Learn about all available nodes and their capabilities
  </Card>
</CardGroup>