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

# Glossary

> Every term used in NodePad, in one place.

export const EdgeChip = ({type = 'continuation', children}) => <span className="np-edge-chip" data-type={type}>{children}</span>;

A short reference for the words this documentation uses. Canvas-related terms include the same color you see in the app.

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Workspace" icon="folder">
    A saved NodePad canvas. A workspace holds branches, text notes, references, merge sources, and a default model. Each workspace has its own URL.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Canvas" icon="frame">
    The 2D surface that holds a workspace's branches, text notes, attachments, and edges. You pan and zoom across the canvas instead of scrolling a single transcript.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Branch" icon="git-branch">
    A conversation path through the canvas. A branch is a chain of nodes connected by <EdgeChip type="continuation">continuation</EdgeChip> edges. Most workspaces have several branches that diverge at chosen messages.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Node" icon="circle-dot">
    A single message on the canvas: a user message, an assistant reply, or an in-progress draft. Nodes are the units you fork, edit, re-run, reference, and merge.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Text note" icon="sticky-note">
    A freeform note pinned to the canvas. Text notes are for human context — research questions, decision logs, checklists. They do not act as persistent prompt constraints.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reference" icon="at-sign">
    A targeted cross-link from one node to another, created with `@`. References travel with the message that owns them. Visually a <EdgeChip type="reference">reference edge</EdgeChip> on the canvas.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Merge sources" icon="git-merge">
    A set of nodes selected as source context for a new draft. Merging combines messages from different branches into one new message. Visually a <EdgeChip type="merge">merge edge</EdgeChip> on the canvas.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Edge" icon="share-2">
    The visible line between two nodes on the canvas. Edges carry meaning: a <EdgeChip type="continuation">continuation</EdgeChip> moves the conversation forward, a <EdgeChip type="fork">fork</EdgeChip> branches off a new path, a <EdgeChip type="merge">merge</EdgeChip> pulls several sources into one draft, and a <EdgeChip type="reference">reference</EdgeChip> cross-links one message into another.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Attachment" icon="paperclip">
    A file or image attached to a message. Attachments stay with the node that used them and travel into branches and merged drafts so the receiving model has the same context.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workspace instructions" icon="scroll-text">
    Workspace-level prompting and guidance. Applies to every send in the workspace unless overridden.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Default model" icon="sparkles">
    The model NodePad picks when you start a new branch in this workspace. You can override it for any individual send.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bring your own keys (BYOK)" icon="key-round">
    Connecting your own provider API keys so NodePad routes model requests through your account. Useful when usage, rate limits, or billing should stay on your provider relationship.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Posture (enterprise)" icon="shield">
    The deployment shape: connected to the internet, proxied through a mirror, fully air-gapped, or a single-VM trial. See [installing NodePad](/enterprise/operations/install) for the matrix.
  </Card>
</Columns>