Mind maps from an AI reply: mindmap syntax, indentation and export

The prompt: name the mindmap syntax

Unlike flowcharts, mind maps need the syntax named explicitly, or the assistant tends to reply with a markdown list. Send this:

Draw a mind map using Mermaid's mindmap syntax for: product launch plan. Requirements: reply with one complete mermaid code block only; the first line is mindmap, the second line is the root node root((Topic)); exactly one root; use indentation for levels (two more spaces per level); no - list markers.

“No code yet?” in the editor has this prompt under “Mind map”. The mind map page opens with an example loaded.

The syntax is short

mindmap
  root((Product launch plan))
    Market research
      Competitor analysis
      User interviews
    Product design
      Core features
      Interactive prototype
    Build and test
      Frontend
      Backend
    Launch
      Content campaign
      Data review

• mindmap on the first line; the second line is the only root, usually root((Topic)).
• Levels come from indentation: two more spaces per level, the same indentation within a level.
• Write node text as plain words. - and * list markers become part of the text.
• Shapes are optional: [square], (rounded), ((circle)), {{hexagon}}.
• Each top-level branch gets its own colour, with a palette per theme.

Editing

Double-click a node in the preview to change its text; Enter applies. To add a branch, add a line in the code indented under its parent. To move a whole branch, cut those lines, paste them at the new place and adjust the indentation.

There is no direction control for mind maps: Mermaid arranges branches around the root and spreads them out as they grow. When the map gets larger than the screen, zoom and pan in the preview; exports use the full size.

The one error

Mind maps report a single error: “A mind map can have only one root node.” It is always indentation: a second top-level node, a root indented deeper than its branches, or a stray end line. The error bar names the node and the line; “AI fix” straightens the indentation.

One more case when pasting from a reply: the assistant gave a markdown list instead of mindmap code. The status line then says “No diagram type found”; ask it to “rewrite using Mermaid's mindmap syntax”.

Themes and export

Switch themes above the preview: Ink Teal, Cinnabar and Indigo each have their own branch palette; Ink Black and Dark suit dark pages. PNG exports with a transparent background by default; for Word or PowerPoint pick “Export Word (docx)” or “Export PowerPoint (pptx)”, and the code is appended; export SVG to edit elsewhere.

The template library has four mind maps: reading notes, project planning, study plan and SWOT analysis.

Related

• Mind map syntax and indentation rules
• Edit, lay out and fix
• Export to Word, PowerPoint and PDF