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

# 1.1 Pensiv's overall structure

> Sidebar, tab bar, center area, panel structure

Pensiv is not an app for opening files one by one.\
It’s a workspace for working with one project from several angles.

When you open the first screen, the layout is roughly four areas.

***

## ① Left sidebar — where you explore structure

The left sidebar shows the full structure of the current project.

It includes:

* Project home
* Graph
* Tasks
* Notes
* Character / Plot / Document folders
* Settings and management

The sidebar is not just a menu.\
It’s a **map of which layer you’re working on**.

For example:

* Open a document → writing mode
* Open a plot → structure mode
* Open tasks → progress mode

Moving in the sidebar\
is switching **what kind of work** you’re doing.

***

## ② Top tab bar — your current context

At the top, open files stay as tabs.

Pensiv is not about opening and closing one file at a time.\
It keeps context and works with several files at once.

For example:

* Document draft
* Plotboard
* Character sheet

You can have all three open and switch between them.

Tabs are not just a list;\
they’re **the set of things you’re thinking about right now**.

***

## ③ Center — where you focus

The middle of the screen is the **active workspace** for the selected file.

On the home screen you see:

* Recently opened files
* Upcoming schedule
* Your to-dos

When you open a file, this area changes:

* Document editor
* Plotboard
* Sheet
* Canvas

This is the center of what you’re focused on.

***

## ④ Panel structure — a workspace that can grow

Pensiv is not fixed to one layout.

You can:

* Split view (right / bottom)
* Add tabs
* Drag to reorder
* Lock a panel
* Open in a new window

So it’s not “one document on one screen”;\
it’s an **expandable workspace**.

***

## The basic flow

Pensiv’s basic flow:

Choose something in the sidebar\
→ Open a file\
→ A tab is created\
→ Work in the center\
→ Split or extend when you need to

That cycle repeats.

***

## What to remember

Pensiv is

* not storage-centric
* and not single-document-centric.

It’s an environment for **keeping context**.

Left = structure\
Top = open work\
Center = focus\
Split = extend

Those four work together.

Once you see that,\
the screen doesn’t feel cluttered.\
**Where you are** means **what you’re thinking about**.

***

Related: [0.5 Viewing things side by side](/en/guide/getting-started/split-view-experience)