# Browse and choose takes

> Use takes in Nodespell to browse every result a node has made, choose the one your graph uses, keep a favourite or follow the latest, and delete unused takes.

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

Takes are the saved results of a node in Nodespell. Every time a node runs, its output is kept as a numbered take (**Take 1**, **Take 2**, and so on), and you choose which take the rest of the graph uses. Browsing takes never changes anything; only choosing **Use** changes what flows downstream.

## Where can I see a node's takes?

| Where             | How to open it                                                                         | What you can do                                         |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| On the node       | Zoom in and hover a node with results; a chip with the take count appears on its media | Preview takes and use one                               |
| Graph toolbar     | Select one node; the takes chip sits beside the run control                            | Preview takes, use one, open **All takes…**             |
| Takes window      | Right-click the node and choose **Takes…**, or click **All takes…** in the chip        | Every action: use, keep, follow latest, delete, details |
| Fullscreen viewer | Open the node's media fullscreen; takes run as a rail down the left                    | Step through takes and use one                          |

The chip's tooltip tells you what the node uses, for example **Uses: Latest (Take 3)**.

## Preview and choose the take the graph uses

1. Open the takes chip on the node or in the toolbar, or open the Takes window.
2. Click a take to preview it. The preview shows **Previewing** and the take name; the output does not change.
3. Click **Use Take** with its number, for example **Use Take 2**. When the graph confirms the change you see **Now uses Take 2.**
4. To stop previewing without changing anything, click **Back to the take in use**, or press `Esc`.

Only successful takes can be used. A take that is still generating says **Wait until the take finishes.**, and a failed or cancelled take cannot become the output. Video takes show a poster frame until you click **Play**.

## Keep a favourite or follow the latest take

Each node either follows its newest successful take or stays on one take you chose. The **Uses** chip in the Takes window shows which:

| Uses               | What it means                                                                                                          |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Latest**         | Follows the newest successful take. A new run replaces the output.                                                     |
| **Kept take**      | Stays on this take. New takes are added to the history and do not replace it.                                          |
| **Mixed takes**    | Each output of a multi-output node comes from a different run. Use one take, or **Follow latest**, to make them match. |
| **Earlier result** | A result made before take numbers is selected.                                                                         |

Choosing **Use** on an older take keeps that take. To keep the take a node already shows while it follows the latest, open **More take actions** (the **…** button) in the Takes window and choose **Keep this take**. To go back to following new results, choose **Follow latest** in the same menu.

## How do takes affect downstream nodes?

Downstream nodes read the take each upstream node currently uses. When you run a downstream node, Nodespell reuses that take instead of regenerating it, so switching to **Take 2** and choosing **Run** downstream rebuilds the rest of the graph from **Take 2** without spending credits on the upstream node. See [Run nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/run-nodes/) for how the run plan shows **Reuse** and **Keep selected take**.

To keep one take available while the node itself moves on, choose **Pin to a branch** in **More take actions**. Nodespell adds a **Pick Result Version** node below the original that always outputs that take.

## Browse takes in the fullscreen viewer

In the fullscreen image, video, audio or text viewer, the node's takes appear as a rail of thumbnails, newest first. Press `↑` and `↓` to step through takes, and `←` and `→` to move between selected nodes. The rail's footer shows the take on show and either **In use**, or **Use** and **Back to the take in use**. The viewer's **Takes…** button opens the full Takes window.

## Delete a take

1. Open the Takes window (**Takes…** in the node's right-click menu).
2. Preview the take you want to remove.
3. Open **More take actions** and choose **Delete Take** with its number.
4. Read the check, then confirm.

Nodespell first checks what uses the take:

- If nothing uses it, it is removed from the history for everyone in the project.
- If the node currently uses it, you choose what the node uses instead before deleting.
- If it is the node's last take, you confirm that the node will have no takes left; the next run must generate a new one.
- If a pinned branch, a saved snapshot, a copy or publication, or a running generation refers to it, the take is protected and cannot be deleted until that changes.

> **Caution:** Deleting a take does not refund credits or free storage, and it cannot be undone from the Takes window.

## Read a take's details

In the Takes window, each take shows its status (**Generating…**, **Failed**, **Cancelled**, **In use**) and a **Details** section with its charge status: **charged** with the number of credits, **refunded**, **charge pending** or **not charged**. A take made with settings that differ from the node's current ones is marked **older settings**. For nodes with several outputs, choose the output from the **Output** menu.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does previewing a take change my graph?

No. Previewing only changes what you see. The graph changes only when you click **Use**, **Keep this take** or **Follow latest**.

### Why can't I use a take?

The take may still be generating or loading, it may have failed, or you may be viewing the project rather than editing it. Results made before take numbers existed can be previewed but cannot be used as a whole take.

### Will a new run replace the take I chose?

Not if the node is on a kept take. New takes are added to the history and the node stays on the take you chose until you choose **Follow latest**.

### Does deleting a take give my credits back?

No. Deleting removes the take from history but does not refund credits or free storage.

### Why does my older project not show takes?

Takes are turned on per project, and new projects start with them. Projects without takes keep their earlier result history, and you keep a result there with **Lock Result** under **Flags** in the node's right-click menu.

## Related

- [Run nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/run-nodes/): what a run reuses and what it generates
- [Branch and switch presentation](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/branch-and-switch-presentation/): change model without losing takes
- [Viewers](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/viewers/): inspect results in the Design panel
- [Projects and snapshots](https://docs.nodespell.com/projects/projects-and-snapshots/): why snapshots protect takes
- [Glossary](https://docs.nodespell.com/reference/glossary/): take, run and related terms