# Organize graphs with Levels and Folders

> Nest parts of a Nodespell graph inside Levels and Folders, move in and out with the breadcrumb, set flow direction per Level, and open large projects faster.

Source: https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/levels-and-folders/ · Last updated: 2026-11-10

A Level in Nodespell is a node that contains its own graph, so a whole section of work can live inside one node. A Folder is a Level set to organise rather than compute: it holds nodes, shows a cover, and cannot be run or connected. Both keep large projects tidy, and you move in and out of them like folders on a computer.

## What is the difference between a Level and a Folder?

|                             | Level                              | Folder                                                                   |
| --------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Purpose                     | A self-contained part of the graph | Organisation, like a folder of files                                     |
| Sockets in the parent graph | Yes; can connect to other nodes    | No sockets                                                               |
| Can run                     | Yes, as part of the graph          | No: **Folders cannot be run directly.**                                  |
| On the canvas               | A node                             | A folder card with an item count, optional **Cover Image** and **Title** |
| Convert                     | **Convert to Folder**              | **Convert to Level**                                                     |

Both are the same kind of node, so you can switch between them. A Level that has connections in its parent graph cannot become a Folder until you remove them: **Disconnect parent-level connections before converting this level to a folder.**

## Create a Level or Folder

- Right-click empty canvas and choose **Folder**.
- Press `Tab` and search for **Level** to add a Level.
- Right-click a Level node and choose **Convert to Folder**, or right-click a Folder and choose **Convert to Level**. The same commands are in the command palette (`Cmd/Ctrl+K`).

Set a Folder's **Cover Image** and **Title** in **Parameters** with the Folder selected.

## Go into and out of a Level or Folder

| To                      | Do this                                                                                                                               |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Go in                   | Double-click the node, select it and press `Enter`, or right-click it and choose **Enter Node** (Levels) or **Open Folder** (Folders) |
| Go up one Level         | Press `U`, click the up arrow (**Go to parent level**) in the Graph Editor bar, or right-click empty canvas and choose **Go Up**      |
| Jump to any outer Level | Click its name in the breadcrumb at the top of the Graph Editor; the first item is **Root**                                           |

Nodespell remembers where you were looking on each Level, so returning to a Level brings back its view.

## Stay on one Level while you work

By default, selecting a node that lives on another Level, for example from [Find in graph](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/organize/), takes the Graph Editor to that node's Level. Click the lock button, **Pin/Unpin current level**, next to the up arrow to keep the Graph Editor on the current Level instead. Click it again to unpin.

## Set the flow direction for each Level

Flow direction sets which way connections run: **Top to bottom**, **Bottom to top**, **Left to right** or **Right to left**. It changes which edges sockets sit on, not the order things run in.

1. Open the Level you want to change.
2. In the top bar, choose **Layout** > **Flow direction**.
3. Under **This level**, pick a direction, or pick the inherited option (**Project default**, **Compositor default** or **Same as parent**) to follow the setting above it.
4. Under **Project defaults**, set **Graphs** and **Compositors** for every Level that does not have its own setting.

Flow direction **Applies to everyone in this project**, and only editors can change it. A Level with its own direction shows a small arrow next to its name in the breadcrumb. Changing direction leaves node positions as they are; press `L` to tidy the Level afterwards.

New projects start with the directions set in Preferences, under **Node Graph Editor**: **Graph flow in new projects** and **Compositor flow in new projects**. Both default to **Top to bottom**, and existing projects keep their own.

## Copy and paste Levels and Folders

Copy a Level or Folder with `Cmd/Ctrl+C` and paste it with `Cmd/Ctrl+V`, like any node. The copy includes every node inside it, however deeply nested.

## How do large projects load?

Nodespell does not load every node in a large project at once. A project prepares once, then loads each Level as you go into it, so opening the project and moving between Folders stays fast.

Some actions need the whole project. In [Find in graph](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/organize/), project-wide search covers names and folder paths straight away; select **Load full project** to include comments and parameters, or to replace text across every Level.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can a Folder be part of a run?

No. Folders are for organisation only and cannot be run directly. Convert it to a Level with **Convert to Level** if you need it to compute and connect.

### Why can't I convert a Level to a Folder?

A Level with connections in its parent graph cannot become a Folder, because Folders have no sockets. Disconnect those connections first, then choose **Convert to Folder**.

### Does each Level have its own flow direction?

Each Level can. By default a Level follows the project default for graphs or compositors; pick a direction under **This level** in **Layout** > **Flow direction** to give it its own.

### How do expressions refer to nodes on other Levels?

Use `parent.` to read from the Level around the current one and `root.` to start from the top of the project. See [Expressions](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/expressions/).

## Related

- [Organize your graph](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/organize/): Groups, tidy and Find in graph
- [Navigate the Graph Editor](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/graph-editor/): pan, zoom and frame on each Level
- [Expressions](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/expressions/): `parent` and `root` references
- [Compositing](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/compositing/): compositor flow defaults
- [Saving and recovery](https://docs.nodespell.com/projects/saving-and-recovery/): how project changes are saved