Canvas MindMap adds tree-oriented keyboard actions to Obsidian Canvas: press Escape to leave node editing, Tab to add a child, and Enter to add a sibling. It is a community plugin, not a replacement for Canvas: Obsidian provides the visual workspace, while the plugin adds mind-map-style hierarchy actions and layout features.
What Canvas MindMap changes in Obsidian Canvas
Canvas is Obsidian’s visual space for arranging ideas, notes, and other material. Obsidian describes it as free with the app, with Canvas files stored locally in the open JSON Canvas format. It can hold notes alongside images, PDFs, video, audio, and interactive web pages. Obsidian’s Canvas overview explains the workspace and its supported content.
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Canvas MindMap’s repository describes the plugin as a way to make Canvas work like a mind map. Its listed features include directional auto-layout, selecting a node’s tree, and changing node-edge colors. The distinction matters: Canvas remains the flexible board, while the plugin adds actions for building and navigating a hierarchy.
How to create your first branch
- Install Canvas MindMap using one of the options below.
- Create a new Canvas and add a node to use as the starting idea.
- Select the node, then press Escape to leave text-editing mode. The README specifically says to exit edit mode before using the child-card shortcut.
- Press Tab to create a child node.
- Select that child and press Enter to create a sibling card.
The resulting cards form a basic mind-map structure. Add further children and siblings as you develop branches; directional auto-layout is among the plugin’s advertised features.
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Keyboard actions and commands
| Action | Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Create a child card | Tab | Adds a child to the selected node. Leave edit mode first. |
| Create a sibling card | Enter | Adds a sibling card; the hotkey can be changed in settings. |
| Move between nodes | Alt + an arrow key | Navigates between nodes. |
| Create a floating node | Cmd/Ctrl + an arrow key | Creates a floating node rather than a child node. |
| Create a child node | Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + an arrow key | Creates a child node. |
The README also lists commands for creating child, sibling, and floating nodes, opening the changelog, and entering or exiting edit mode. If a shortcut conflicts with your setup or preference, use Obsidian’s command interface for the listed actions; the repository documents changing the Enter hotkey in plugin settings.
Install the plugin
The repository lists three installation routes. Its documentation does not establish a current release number, so check the plugin’s availability and release status in Obsidian before relying on version-specific instructions.
- Obsidian plugin market: Search for Canvas MindMap in Obsidian’s community plugin browser and install it if it is available there.
- BRAT: Add
quorafind/canvas-mindmapthrough BRAT. - Manual installation: Download a release and place
main.js,manifest.json, andstyles.cssin your vault’s.obsidian/plugins/obsidian-canvas-mindmapfolder.
After installation, enable the plugin in Obsidian’s community plugin settings. The repository’s README is the source for the installation routes and shortcut workflow: Canvas MindMap on GitHub.
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What to check before relying on it
The available documentation lists features and shortcuts, but it does not establish a current version, independently verified compatibility, maintenance status, or reliability. A Community Plugins search-result excerpt reported compatibility with Obsidian 1.4.0+ on desktop and mobile, 157k downloads, and 21 updates, but the listing page could not be opened and the figures are not independently verified or current. Treat them as an unconfirmed snapshot, not a guarantee for your device or Obsidian version.
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- 🎖️INK BLEED-THROUGH RESISTANT - Each AFMAT sticky easel pad comes with 30 sheets of premium paper that effectively resists ink bleed-through from markers, pens, and other writing tools, keeping your notes and ideas clean and legible on the page, not on what's under the page. (Note: It typically takes 3-4 seconds for ink to dry completely. To avoid smudging, please refrain from touching the freshly written content immediately after writing.)
- 🎖️STICKS SECURELY - This flip chart paper features a strong adhesive strip that sticks securely to most surfaces (whiteboards/windows/walls and more) and holds up to 30 days. It can be repositioned without damaging the surface sticked on. No tape or tacks needed. Easy to stick your ideas and notes anywhere you like.
- 🎖️EASY TO TEAR - AFMAT easel pad is made of 100 gsm thick, high-quality paper that are strong and durable, so it won't tear or rip easily. Each sheet of easel paper features neatly perforated edges, allowing for easy, tear-free removal while keeping the remaining pad intact. Organize ideas, mind maps, and to-do lists effortlessly.
- 🎖️MULTIPURPOSE EASEL PAD - The self stick easel pad has handle and slots for easy carrying and hanging, suitable for training or teaching sessions, brainstorming sessions, planning sessions, project management and agile processes, meetings and presentations.
- 🎖️PERFECT FIT FOR EASEL STANDS - The sticky easel paper fit most easel stands, comes in a practical size of 25 x 30 inches, 30 Sheets/Pad, 5 Pads, providing plenty of space for writing and drawing.
Canvas’s local JSON Canvas storage and plugin support give this workflow a useful foundation: your board belongs to the Obsidian workspace rather than a separate mind-mapping service. That does not establish that every plugin-specific relationship or behavior will transfer identically to other apps that can open JSON Canvas files; the cited material does not document cross-app behavior for Canvas MindMap.
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