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Mind maps

Break an idea down into branches with the keyboard, then turn any node into an issue.

Mind maps

A mind map grows outward from one central idea into branches and sub-branches. It is a quick way to break down a feature, weigh up a decision or plan the work, and any node can become an issue when it is ready.

Create a mind map

  1. Choose Mind maps in the sidebar, then New mind map.
  2. Give it a Name and pick what to Start from: Blank (just the centre), Break down a feature, Make a decision or Plan the work.
  3. Optionally choose a Project. A pinned map is listed when you choose Mind maps in that project's header, and offers the project first when you turn a node into an issue.
  4. Choose Create.

Add and edit nodes

The map is built mostly from the keyboard. Click the canvas first so it has focus, select a node, then use these keys (they are also listed along the bottom of the map):

  • Tab — add a child under the selected node.
  • Enter — add a sibling next to it (on the central node, Enter starts a new branch).
  • F2 — rename the node.
  • Space — collapse or expand its branch.
  • Delete — delete the node.
  • Arrows — move the selection around the map.

A new node starts as New idea and opens for renaming straight away. You can also use the + button on a node to add a child, and the chevron on a branch to collapse or expand it.

Descriptions and colours

Select a node to open its side panel:

  • Description — notes that do not fit on the node itself, up to 2,000 characters. It saves on its own a moment after you stop typing.
  • Branch colour — colour the node's branch, or Clear it.

Turn a node into an issue

  1. Select the node.
  2. Under Issue, choose a project and an issue type (Epic, Story, Task or Bug).
  3. Choose Create issue. The node's text becomes the issue title and its description becomes the issue description.

To link a node to an existing issue instead, type the issue key in the box below and press Enter. Linked nodes show the issue key on the map. Choose Unlink to remove the link; the issue itself is not changed.

Each node links to one issue. Create issues node by node; there is no bulk conversion of a whole branch.

Deleting

  • Deleting a node also deletes everything underneath it. The side panel says so: Delete node and everything under it.
  • The central node cannot be deleted; delete the mind map instead.
  • Delete map removes the whole map for everyone. Issues created from it are kept.

Rules and limits

  • A mind map holds up to 500 nodes, and a branch can be at most 20 levels deep.
  • Viewing needs permission to view issues; adding, renaming and linking nodes needs permission to edit issues; deleting a map needs permission to delete issues.
  • A map pinned to a private project is visible only to that project's members and to Owners and Admins.
  • The avatars at the top show who else has the map open. Each change saves as you make it; reload to see changes others have made since you opened it.

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