> ## 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.

# 10.4.1 Place and arrange quickly with canvas shortcuts

> Pan and zoom, selection and edit mode, node create/move/expand, 30-second routine

The canvas is not “click to place”; it’s a **keyboard-driven space** so you can arrange without breaking flow.

Using the shortcuts below together turns **create node → move/align → edit → expand** into one smooth flow.

***

## 1) Pan and zoom (framing the view)

### Pan the canvas

* **Space + drag**: Pan the canvas
* **Right-click + drag**: Pan with the mouse only

**When to use**: When you have many nodes and your “reach” is large, this is the default way to move the view.

### Fit to view / Zoom to selection

* **Shift + 1**: **Fit to view** (center the whole canvas or current area)
* **Shift + 2**: **Zoom to selection** (fill the view with the selection)

**Typical flow**

* Lost after a long session → **Shift+1**
* Want to focus on one area → Select it, then **Shift+2**

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## 2) Selection and edit mode (separate “place” and “write”)

### Add/remove from selection

* **Shift + click**: **Add/remove** from selection

**When to use**: When moving several nodes at once or aligning them in a line.

### Enter/exit edit mode

* **Enter edit mode**: **Shift + Enter (↩) + Space**
* **Exit edit mode**: **Esc**

**Main idea**

* Canvas default is “select/place mode”
* “Edit mode” is only when you’re typing
* **Esc always exits**: getting into this habit speeds up layout.

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## 3) Basic edit (delete, copy, paste, undo)

### Delete

* **Backspace (⌫) or Delete**

### Copy / paste

* **Ctrl + C**: Copy
* **Ctrl + V**: Paste

### Undo / redo

* **Ctrl + Z**: Undo
* **Ctrl + Shift + Z**: Redo

**Tip**: You can change structure boldly because undo/redo works immediately on the canvas. Try a layout → if it feels off, Ctrl+Z.

***

## 4) Create nodes (grow ideas)

### New node from background

* **Double-click background**: Create a node

**When to use**: Starting a new branch or topic. Creating a standalone node and connecting later is often faster.

### Create child/sibling quickly

* **Tab**: **Create child node**
* **Enter (↩)**: **Create sibling node**

**This is what makes the canvas fast**

* (With a node selected) → **Tab** to add a branch below
* To keep going at the same level → **Enter** to extend sideways

So: **Tab = depth (child), Enter = same level (sibling)**.

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## 5) Move (navigate nodes with the keyboard)

### Move to nearest node

* **Alt + arrow (←/→/↑/↓)**: **Move focus to nearest node**

**When to use**

* When you want to move through the structure and edit text without clicking each node
* When checking if branches flow naturally

***

## 6) Expand in a direction (branch where you want)

### Create unconnected node in a direction

* **Ctrl + arrow (←/→/↑/↓)**: **Create unconnected node** in that direction

**Meaning**: Add **standalone nodes** quickly to the side or above/below without breaking the current flow. You can connect them later or keep them as options.

### Create child in a direction (direction + hierarchy)

* **Ctrl + Shift + arrow (←/→/↑/↓)**: **Create child node** in that direction

**Meaning**: Add a **child** and control **direction** so the layout stays clear.

**Suggested use**

* To pile up options quickly → **Ctrl + arrow** (place without connecting)
* To extend the structure → **Ctrl+Shift + arrow** (add as child)

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## 7) 30-second routine (minimal actions that speed up the canvas)

1. **Double-click background** to create a main topic node
2. Use **Tab / Enter** to build an outline
3. **Shift+click** to select groups; **Shift+1 / Shift+2** to frame the view
4. **Alt+arrows** to move between nodes; **Shift+Enter or Space** to edit, **Esc** to exit
5. Use **Ctrl (standalone) / Ctrl+Shift (child)** + arrows for precise expansion

***

## Three common sticking points (where speed is lost)

* **Stuck in edit mode** → Always use **Esc**
* **Afraid to change structure** → Rely on **Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Shift+Z** and change boldly
* **Nodes spread out and hard to see** → Select, then **Shift+2**; if lost, **Shift+1**