# Add nodes to your graph > Add nodes in Nodespell with the Tab menu, Quick Add, the model hub, the Node Browser or the Asset Manager, preview image effects, and copy or duplicate nodes. Source: https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/add-nodes/ · Last updated: 2026-11-10 The Tab menu is the fastest way to add a node in Nodespell: press `Tab` over the Graph Editor, type what you want, and press `Enter`. Nodespell also adds nodes from the right-click Quick Add menu, the model hub, the Node Browser, and the Asset Manager, and copies or duplicates nodes you already have. ## Add a node with the Tab menu 1. Point at the spot on the canvas where the node should go and press `Tab`. You can also choose **Open Quick Node Menu** from the **Nodes** menu. 2. Type part of a node name, model name or task. The menu searches nodes, models, Creative Tools, custom nodes and workflows at once. 3. Move through results with the arrow keys. The panel on the right previews the highlighted result. 4. Press `Enter` or click a result to create it. Press `Esc` to close without adding anything. If one node is selected when you open the Tab menu, the new node is created next to it and connected to it automatically. If several nodes are selected, hold `Shift` while you choose a node to create and connect one copy for each selected node. ## Browse by category instead of searching With the search field empty, the Tab menu shows category tabs and a row of **Common nodes**. | Tab | Contents | | ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Image models** | Models that output images | | **Video models** | Models that output video | | **Audio models** | Models that output audio | | **Text models** | Models that output text | | **Realtime effect** | Image effects that render in the editor, such as blurs and colour tools | | **Transform** | Nodes that reshape or reposition media | | **Advanced** | Data and logic building blocks | Creative Tools appear in their own **Creative tools** group at the top of a tab. When a node is selected, the empty Tab menu suggests nodes that accept what that node outputs. The footer has filters: **Filter** narrows results by output type (for example **Image models**), **Input** narrows them by what they accept (for example **Accepts image input**), and the **Advanced nodes** switch shows or hides Data, Data Conversion, Flow Control, Logic, Math, Reference and Type Of nodes. See [Data and logic nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/data-and-logic/) for what those do. Click the star on a result to add it to your favourites. Favourites and recently used nodes appear in the right-click Quick Add menu. ## Preview image effects before adding them Nodespell renders realtime image effects on your own image inside the Tab menu, so you can compare before choosing. 1. Select a node that outputs an image, such as an Asset node holding a photo or an image model with a result. 2. Press `Tab` and open the **Realtime effect** tab, or search for an effect. 3. Highlight an effect. The preview panel shows **Before** and **After** halves while it renders. 4. Move the pointer across the preview to slide the split between the original and the effect. 5. Press `Enter` to add the effect, already connected to the selected node. Previews use your saved defaults for that node type. Effects that need another required input do not show a preview. ## Add a node from the right-click menu Right-click empty canvas to open a menu of shortcuts: | Item | What it does | | -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Search all nodes** (`Tab`) | Opens the Tab menu | | **Prompt** (`P`) | Creates a Prompt node at the pointer | | **Folder** | Creates a Folder for organizing nodes | | **Load Asset** | Creates an Asset node to pick existing media | | **Upload…** | Uploads files from your computer as Asset nodes | | **Recent nodes**, **Favourite nodes** | Nodes you used recently or starred | | **Latest models** | Newly added models, grouped by media type | | **Image**, **Video**, **Audio**, **Text** sections | Tasks such as generating or editing, each with a Creative Tool option (**Any model**) and a short list of models, plus **Browse all N models…** when there are more | Right-click an input or output socket to get the same kind of menu, limited to nodes that can connect to that socket. ## Add a model from the model hub Press `Shift+M` to show or hide the model hub, a panel of models sorted into **Image**, **Video**, **Audio**, **Text** and **3D** tabs and task groups such as **Generate**, **Edit** and **Upscale**. Click a model to add it to the canvas, drag it to place it, or double-click to add it and close the hub. If the selected node's output does not fit the model, the hub shows **Not compatible with current selection**. For help choosing, see [Choose a model](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/choose-a-model/). ## Add a node from the Node Browser The Node Browser lives in the **Library** panel under **Nodes**. Use it when you want to read about a node before adding it: inputs, outputs, parameters, examples and pricing information. - Drag a node card onto the canvas to create it there. - Right-click a card and choose **Create Node to Graph**. Open the Library panel from **Window** > **New Panel Window** > **Library**. ## Add media from the Asset Manager or your computer - Drag an asset from the [Asset Manager](https://docs.nodespell.com/assets/asset-manager/) onto the canvas to create an Asset node. - Drag files from your computer onto the canvas. They upload and become Asset nodes automatically. - Press `O` to open **Add asset**, then choose **Assets**, **Upload** or **Load from URL**. Upload types and limits are listed on [Upload and organize assets](https://docs.nodespell.com/assets/upload-and-organize/). ## Copy, paste and duplicate nodes | To | Do this | | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | | Copy the selected nodes | `Cmd/Ctrl+C` | | Cut | `Cmd/Ctrl+X` | | Paste | `Cmd/Ctrl+V` | | Duplicate by dragging | Hold `Option/Alt` and drag the selection | | Delete | `Backspace` or `Delete` | Copied nodes keep their parameters and the connections between them. Copying a Folder includes every node inside it. Deleting a node that sits in the middle of a chain reconnects the node before it to the node after it, so the chain is not broken. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does the Tab menu search? The Tab menu searches node names, models, Creative Tools, custom nodes and workflows together. Typing in Chinese also matches pinyin. ### Why is a node missing from the Tab menu? Data, logic and math nodes are hidden until you turn on **Advanced nodes** in the menu footer. A **Filter** or **Input** filter can also hide results; clear them to see everything. ### Why does my new node connect automatically? When exactly one node is selected, the Tab menu creates the new node beside it and connects the first compatible socket. Press `Esc` to clear the selection first if you want an unconnected node. ### Does previewing an effect add it to my graph? No. The Tab menu renders the effect on the selected image for comparison only. Nothing is added until you press `Enter` or click the result, and previews are shown only for realtime image effects, not for AI models. ## Related - [Navigate the Graph Editor](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/graph-editor/): pan, zoom and select - [Connect nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/connections/): what connects to what - [Snippets and presets](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/snippets-and-presets/): reuse saved setups and defaults - [Choose a model](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/choose-a-model/): pick the right model node - [Asset Manager](https://docs.nodespell.com/assets/asset-manager/): find media to bring into the graph