Custom Node Types: Build Your Perfect Workflow

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to note-taking. That's why Synapse lets you create custom node types tailored to your specific workflow.

What Are Node Types?

In Synapse, every note is a node. Node types define what kind of information a node represents. By default, Synapse includes types like:

• Notes
• People
• Places
• Activities

But you can create your own.

Why Custom Node Types Matter

Different people think differently. A writer might need:

• Characters
• Settings
• Plot Points
• Themes

A researcher might need:

• Papers
• Concepts
• Methods
• Hypotheses

An entrepreneur might need:

• Ideas
• Markets
• Contacts
• Opportunities

Custom node types let you build a system that matches how you think.

Creating Custom Node Types

When you create a custom node type, you can define:

• Name: What you call this type
• Icon: Visual representation
• Color: How it appears in your graph
• Properties: Custom fields specific to this type

Example: Creating a "Book" Node Type

Let's say you want to track books you've read. You could create a "Book" node type with:

• Properties: Author, Genre, Rating, Date Read
• Icon: Book icon
• Color: Blue

Then every book you add becomes a node of this type, with all the properties you defined.

Properties

Properties are custom fields that belong to a specific node type. For a "Project" node type, you might have:

• Status (Active, Completed, On Hold)
• Deadline
• Priority
• Team Members

Properties help you capture structured information while maintaining the flexibility of a graph.

Visual Customization

Each node type can have:

• Unique icon: Makes it easy to identify at a glance
• Color coding: Helps you see patterns in your graph
• Size variations: Emphasize important nodes

Workflow Examples

For Writers

Create node types for:

• Characters: With properties like Age, Role, Arc
• Settings: With properties like Time Period, Mood, Significance
• Plot Points: With properties like Chapter, Importance, Status

For Researchers

Create node types for:

• Papers: With properties like Authors, Journal, Year, Impact
• Concepts: With properties like Definition, Related Concepts
• Methods: With properties like Type, Use Cases, Limitations

For Students

Create node types for:

• Courses: With properties like Professor, Credits, Grade
• Concepts: With properties like Subject, Difficulty, Mastery
• Assignments: With properties like Due Date, Type, Status

Best Practices

1. Start Simple: Begin with a few essential node types 2. Iterate: Add properties as you discover what you need 3. Be Consistent: Use similar properties across related types 4. Don't Overthink: You can always modify types later

The Power of Customization

Custom node types transform Synapse from a generic note-taking app into a personalized knowledge management system. They let you:

• Capture information in ways that make sense to you
• Maintain structure while staying flexible
• Build a system that grows with your needs

Conclusion

Your workflow is unique. Your note-taking system should be too. With custom node types, Synapse adapts to how you think, not the other way around.

Start with the defaults. Experiment with custom types. Build a system that works for you.