# Build your first connected graph

> Build a two-node Nodespell graph in Graph mode, connect Image Generator to Image Upscaler, run it, and see how takes are reused on the next run.

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

This tutorial builds a small connected graph in Nodespell's **Graph** workspace: an **Image Generator** node feeding an **Image Upscaler** node. You add nodes with the **Tab menu**, connect them, set a prompt in **Parameters**, run the graph, and then change one step to see which nodes run again and which reuse their saved takes.

You need a Project and credits for two model runs. If you have not made an image yet, [Make your first image](https://docs.nodespell.com/start/first-image/) is the shorter introduction.

## Switch the Project to Graph

1. Open a Project from the dashboard, or select **New Project**.
2. Open the **Workspace mode** selector at the left end of the top bar and choose **Graph**.
3. Find the **Graph** panel, the large canvas with a dotted or lined grid. If it is not visible, select **+** on any pane's tab bar and choose **Graph** under **Essential**.
4. Make sure a **Parameters** panel is open as well. If not, select **+** and choose **Parameters**.

Graph mode remembers your panel layout. The [interface tour](https://docs.nodespell.com/start/interface/) explains panes, tabs and docks.

## How do you move around the canvas?

Use whichever input you have. Every action has a trackpad or keyboard path; none needs a middle mouse button.

| Action               | Trackpad        | Mouse              | Keyboard    |
| -------------------- | --------------- | ------------------ | ----------- |
| Pan                  | Two-finger drag | Middle-button drag | Arrow keys  |
| Zoom                 | Pinch           | Scroll wheel       | `=` and `-` |
| Frame selected nodes | —               | —                  | `F`         |
| Frame all nodes      | —               | —                  | `A`         |

The status bar's **Hints** area shows the pan and zoom gestures for the input device Nodespell detects. More navigation is in the [Graph Editor guide](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/graph-editor/).

## Add Image Generator with the Tab menu

1. Move the pointer over an empty area of the Graph panel.
2. Press `Tab`. The **Tab menu** opens at the pointer with a search field.
3. Type `Image Generator`.
4. Select **Image Generator** in the results, or press `Enter`. The node appears where the menu opened.

If you prefer the pointer, right-click (two-finger click on a trackpad) an empty area of the canvas and choose **Search all nodes**, which opens the same search. The same menu lists **Creative tools** you can place with one click. See [Add nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/add-nodes/) for the **Node Browser** and other ways to add nodes.

**Image Generator** is a [Creative Tool](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/): a guided presentation of a model node. It starts with a default model, which you can change later.

## Write the prompt in Parameters

1. Click the **Image Generator** node to select it.
2. In the **Parameters** panel, find the **Prompt** field and type a description, for example "A ceramic teapot on a linen tablecloth, soft window light, studio product photo".
3. Leave the other controls at their defaults.

The **Parameters** panel always shows the controls of the selected node. Changes save as you type. See [Parameters](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/parameters/).

## Add Image Upscaler and connect it

1. Keep **Image Generator** selected.
2. Press `Tab`, type `Image Upscaler`, and press `Enter`.
3. Nodespell places **Image Upscaler** next to the selected node and connects the image output of **Image Generator** to the image input of **Image Upscaler**.

A connection runs from an output socket on one node to an input socket on another. To connect two nodes yourself, drag from the output socket to a compatible input socket. To remove a connection, double-click it. Nodespell rejects a connection when the output and input types do not match; see [Connections](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/connections/).

## Run the graph

1. Click **Image Upscaler** to select it.
2. Look at the floating run controls near the top of the Graph panel. With a node selected, the primary button shows what a run will do, for example **Generate 2**: one take for Image Upscaler and a first take for Image Generator upstream, which has none yet.
3. Hover the button to see which nodes will generate, reuse or update.
4. Select the button, or press `Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+R` (**Run Selected Tasks**).

Both nodes show progress while they run. When they finish, each node displays its output. Select a result and press `Space` to open it in the fullscreen viewer; press `Esc` to close it.

> **Caution:** A run that generates takes uses credits. On paid plans the run controls show the estimate before you start.

## Change one step and run again

This is the part that makes a graph different from a single prompt.

1. Select **Image Generator** and change a word in the **Prompt**.
2. Select **Image Generator** only, and run it again. The button reads **Generate**. Image Generator makes a new take.
3. Select **Image Upscaler**. It still uses the image it upscaled before, because downstream nodes reuse their existing takes until you run them.
4. Run **Image Upscaler** to upscale the new image.

Each node keeps every take it has made. With one node selected, the **Takes** button beside the run controls lets you preview earlier takes and choose the one the graph uses. See [Takes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/takes/) and [Run nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/run-nodes/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Why did running Image Upscaler also generate Image Generator?

A node cannot run without its inputs. When an upstream model node has no take yet, the run plan generates that first take too. The hover preview and the button label, such as **Generate 2**, show this before you start.

### Does changing a prompt rerun everything downstream?

No. Nodespell does not rerun nodes automatically. Downstream nodes keep using their existing takes until you run them, so nothing is charged until you choose to.

### How do I delete a node or a connection?

Select a node and press `Backspace` or `Delete`. To remove a connection, double-click it, or select a node and press `X` to disconnect all its connections.

### Can I see this graph in Create?

Yes. Switch the **Workspace mode** selector to **Create** and select a Creative Tool node in the graph. The composer then shows that node's model and controls.

## Related

- [Graph Editor](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/graph-editor/) — canvas navigation, selection and the minimap.
- [Add nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/add-nodes/) — the Tab menu, Quick Add and the Node Browser.
- [Connections](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/connections/) — sockets, types and multiple inputs.
- [Run nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/run-nodes/) — run plans, reuse and costs.
- [Takes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/takes/) — compare and choose results.