Graph Authoring Modes

Understanding Mind Map, Conceptual, and Graph DB modes for different stages of graph design. Graph DB mode is also the authoring mode used by the project model (model.neoarc) for model-first data architecture.

February 3, 2026

Graph diagrams in NeoArc support three authoring modes, each designed for a different stage of thinking. Choose the mode that matches where you are in your design process: early exploration, domain alignment, or production schema design.

Mode Comparison

Each mode progressively reveals more features while maintaining the same underlying graph structure.

Feature	Mind Map	Conceptual	Graph DB
Node Labels	Single	Single	Multiple
Properties Panel	Hidden	Basic	Full
Key Roles (PK/FK/NK)	Hidden	Shown	Enforced
Relationship Labels	Hidden	Shown	Shown
Cardinality	Hidden	Hidden	Shown
Validation	Structural only	Structural + Semantic	Full

Mind Map Mode

Mind Map mode is for idea exploration when you do not yet know the final structure. The interface is minimal, letting you focus on capturing thoughts quickly without distraction.

Tab Creates Children

Tab creates child nodes

Enter Creates Siblings

Enter creates sibling nodes

Arrow Navigation

Arrow keys navigate tree structure (parent/child/sibling)

Radial Layout

Radial layout bias from the root node

Example: Product Strategy Mind Map

This mind map shows idea exploration for a product strategy session. The radial layout naturally organises branches from the central concept.

Conceptual Mode

Conceptual mode is for domain modelling when you need to communicate with stakeholders. Relationship labels help explain connections, and key role indicators show important fields without requiring full type definitions.

Relationship Labels

Shown and editable

Key Role Icons

Visual indicators (PK, FK, NK)

Basic Properties

Name and key role editing

Semantic Validation

Catches orphan nodes and unlabeled relationships

Example: E-Commerce Domain Model

This conceptual model shows an e-commerce domain with labelled relationships. Key roles identify important fields without requiring full schema details.

Graph DB Mode

Graph DB mode is for designing production schemas. Full property editing includes types, constraints, default values, and validation rules. The schema can be exported to Cypher for Neo4j deployment. This is also the authoring mode used by the project model (model.neoarc), where it drives derived views and per-property projections.

Feature	Description
Multi-label support	e.g. Person:Employee
Property types	String, Number, Boolean, Date, Array, Object
Constraints	required, nullable, unique, indexed
Validation rules	minValue, maxValue, minLength, maxLength, pattern, enum
Cardinality notation	1:1, 1:N, N:1, N:M
Edge properties	Attributes on relationships
Full validation	Including key constraints

Example: Social Network Graph Schema

This graph database schema shows a social network with full property definitions, constraints, and cardinality. Each node and relationship includes complete type information.

Switching Between Modes

You can switch between modes at any time using the mode selector in the right panel. Your data is preserved; only the visible features change.

This allows a natural workflow:

Mode Inference for Legacy Documents

When opening a graph diagram that was created before authoring modes were introduced, NeoArc infers the appropriate mode:

Validation by Mode

Each mode enables different validation categories:

Category	Modes	Examples
Structural	All modes	Invalid references, corrupt identifiers, self-referencing edges
Semantic	Conceptual + Graph DB	Orphan nodes, duplicate labels, unlabeled relationships
Domain	Graph DB only	Missing primary keys, multiple primary keys, unresolved foreign keys