Controls and Interface

Essential Controls

Navigation

• Pan: Right-click and drag

• Zoom in: Press =

• Zoom out: Press -

• Reset view: Press Ctrl+R

Selection

• Select element: Left-click

• Multi-select: Hold Shift + click

• Deselect: Press Escape or click empty space

Creation

• Add elements: Click toolbar button, then click canvas

• Connect elements: Click source, drag to target, release

• Delete: Select element + press Delete

File Operations

• Save: Press Ctrl+S (watch for green notification)

• Open: Press Ctrl+L

• Save As: Press Ctrl+Shift+S

Working with Elements

Element Types

• System: Main analysis boundary (large circle)

• Subsystem: Internal component (smaller circle inside system)

• Interface: Connection point (rectangle on boundary)

• Flow: Connection between elements (arrow line)

• Source/Sink: External entities (squares outside system)

Editing Properties

1. Click any element to select it

2. Properties panel opens on the right

3. Edit fields directly - changes apply immediately

4. Required fields are highlighted if empty

Organizing Your Model

• Hide elements: Select + press H (reduce clutter)

• Show hidden: Press U (unhide all)

• Move multiple: Select several with Shift+click, then drag

Advanced Features

System Decomposition

• Enter subsystem: Double-click any subsystem

• Navigate up: Use breadcrumb trail at top

• Recursive analysis: Any subsystem can become a new system

Spatial Regions (v0.2.0)

• Boundary ring: Gray ring shows system boundary

• Click boundary: Selects the system

• Environment: Space outside your system boundary

Subsystem Archetypes (v0.2.5)

Classify subsystems by their role in the system using the HCGS framework:

Archetype	Color	Purpose
Governance	Blue	Policy, rules, coordination, control
Economy	Green	Resource allocation, production, value flows
Agent	Orange	Active actors that make decisions
Unspecified	Black	Default (backward compatible)

To assign an archetype:

1. Select a subsystem

2. In the properties panel, find "Archetype"

3. Choose from the radio buttons

The subsystem's stroke color changes to reflect its archetype.

For theoretical background, see System Archetypes.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Save	Ctrl+S
Open	Ctrl+L
Zoom in	=
Zoom out	-
Reset view	Ctrl+R
Delete	Delete
Hide selected	H
Unhide all	U
Deselect	Escape
Multi-select	Shift+click

Tips

Getting Started

1. Start with your main system circle

2. Add interfaces where system connects to world

3. Create flows for inputs and outputs

4. Add subsystems for internal components

5. Save frequently with Ctrl+S

If You Get Stuck

• Lost your view? Press Ctrl+R to reset

• Can't see elements? Press U to unhide all

• Properties missing? Click an element to select it

• Elements won't connect? Drag from one element to another

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Need more help? Follow the 11-step tutorial for hands-on practice.