# Canvas Overview (/docs/editor/canvas)

The visual workflow editor layout and controls.



The workflow editor is where you build automations visually.

Layout [#layout]

* **Top toolbar** - workflow name, save status, run button, Activate/Active control, and editor actions
* **Left panel** - node library (drag nodes onto canvas)
* **Center** - the canvas (your workflow graph)
* **Node settings dialog** - opens when you click a node. On wide screens it uses three panes: **Input**, **Parameters**, and **Output**. On narrow screens the same panes appear as tabs.
* **Executions panel** - opens from the editor to inspect recent runs, node output, errors, notes, and run metrics

Canvas controls [#canvas-controls]

| Action        | How                                                               |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Pan           | Click and drag on empty canvas                                    |
| Zoom          | Scroll wheel or pinch                                             |
| Select node   | Click a node                                                      |
| Multi-select  | Shift + click, or drag a selection box                            |
| Delete        | Select node/edge, press Delete or Backspace                       |
| Add from menu | Right-click empty canvas and choose a node, Sticky Note, or Arrow |

Canvas annotations [#canvas-annotations]

Sticky Notes and Arrows help explain the workflow without changing how it runs. They sit behind executable nodes, have no input or output ports, and cannot be connected by edges.

* **Sticky Note** - add text instructions, assumptions, warnings, or marketplace handoff notes
* **Arrow** - point at a node, branch, or important section of the workflow

See [Canvas Annotations](/docs/editor/annotations) for editing, resizing, colors, and marketplace behavior.

Execution inspection [#execution-inspection]

After a run starts, the editor shows live node statuses on the canvas and in the executions panel. The panel includes:

* A recent-run list with status, timing, node counts, source, automatic labels, and AI cost/token chips when available
* A detail header with the run status, duration, source, optional user note, and rerun controls when supported
* A node mini-map for longer runs so you can jump to a node run quickly
* Filters for **All** and **Failed** node runs plus node-run search
* Per-node output, errors, and copy/debug details

Next steps [#next-steps]

* [Adding Nodes](/docs/editor/adding-nodes)
* [Canvas Annotations](/docs/editor/annotations)
* [Connecting Nodes](/docs/editor/connecting-nodes)
* [Configuring Nodes](/docs/editor/configuring-nodes)
* [Running a Workflow](/docs/editor/running)