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

# Canvases

> An infinite canvas for flows, maps and architecture diagrams, with diagrams you write as code.

A canvas is an infinite board for boxes, arrows, sticky notes, text, drawings, images and **figures**: diagrams written as code that lay themselves out.

## Tools

The tools sit on the left edge. Each has a one-letter shortcut.

| Tool | Key | What it does |
| - | - | - |
| **Select** | V | Pick, move and resize. Drag on empty space to select several. |
| **Pan** | H | Move around. Holding Space does the same with any tool. |
| **Rectangle / Ellipse / Diamond** | R / O / D | Draw a box. Type to give it a label. |
| **Sticky note** | S | A coloured note. |
| **Arrow / Line** | A / L | Drag from one box to another; the ends stay attached when the boxes move. Drag the middle handle to curve it. |
| **Pen** | P | Freehand drawing. Turn on **Auto-shape** in the header and rough strokes snap to clean shapes. |
| **Text** | T | Free text. |
| **Comment** | C | Pin a comment to a shape or a spot. Type `@` to mention someone with access. |
| **+** | ⌘K or / | Insert a diagram from a template, a shape, an icon or a device frame (phone, browser, …). |

Select something to get its bar: colour, fill (tint, solid or none), dashed outline, text size and alignment, layer order, duplicate and delete.

**Rearrange** in the header lays out the selection (or the whole canvas) vertically or horizontally. Undo from the "Rearranged" message.

## Figures

A figure is a diagram written as code: architecture maps, flowcharts, data models (ERD), sequence diagrams and processes. Octonote lays it out, routes the arrows and keeps it tidy as it grows. The syntax is the same as [Eraser's diagram-as-code](https://docs.eraser.io/docs/syntax), so code you or an AI wrote for Eraser works here.

* **Add one** from **+** (⌘K): pick a template.
* **Turn a sketch into one:** select boxes and arrows you drew and click **To diagram**.
* **Have an agent write one:** the CLI and the Claude/ChatGPT apps draw canvases from text (see below).
* **Work inside it:** double-click (or press Enter) to drill into groups, collapse them, and play flows. Esc leaves.
* **Name it** with a `title` line in its code. The title sits above the figure's border.

Embed a figure in a note with the **Figure** block, or drag it from the canvas into the note next to it in a project. The note's copy updates a few seconds after the canvas saves.

## Present

Every figure and device frame is a slide. Click **Present** (bottom right) to show them one at a time, full screen.

* Arrows, Space or a click on the strip of slides under the slide moves between them. **S** hides the strip.
* **L** turns on a laser pointer; **N** shows your speaker notes.
* The **presenter view** button opens a second window with the current slide, the next one, your notes and a timer. Keep it on your own screen.
* **Slides** (next to Present) sets the order, hides slides and holds the speaker notes.

Readers of a [published](https://docs.octonote.ai/guides/publishing.md) canvas or project can present it too.

## Export

**Export** (bottom right) downloads the canvas, or just the selection, as PNG, SVG or PDF, or copies it as an image. A selected figure's bar has its own export with more formats.

## Comments

Comments live on the canvas: pins on shapes or spots, with replies, resolve and delete. Comments show the name of the person who wrote them. Resolved ones are hidden until you show them.

## Draw from text

Agents and the CLI can create a canvas from a mermaid flowchart or class diagram. Every box and arrow is a real, editable shape. See [Writing content](https://docs.octonote.ai/agents/writing-content.md#canvases-mermaid-flowcharts).

> [!NOTE]
>
> The canvas follows your light or dark theme. Thumbnails and embedded figures always render on a light background.


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