# Create your first mind map in Jira

Create a mind map, add your first ideas, and learn the basic controls you need to continue working.

## Before you start

You need:

- Access to a Jira project where Mind Map Studio is available.
- Permission to browse that Jira project.
- An internet connection while you create and save the map.

## Open Mind Map Studio

1. Open the Jira project where you want to work.
2. Choose **Mind Map Studio** from the project navigation.
3. Wait for the workspace to load.

If the project already has maps, Mind Map Studio opens one of them. You can choose another map or create a new one from the sidebar.

## Understand the workspace

| Area | What you use it for |
| --- | --- |
| Sidebar | Create, find, and open maps and folders. |
| Header | See the open map and access Jira issue, layout, theme, export, and expanded-view actions. |
| Canvas | Build and explore the map. |
| Idea toolbars | Add, rename, or remove the selected idea; change its progress; and open additional map actions. |

The available actions can change when you select a different idea.

## Create your first map

1. Select **Create new mind map** in the sidebar.
2. Enter the main subject of your map in **Central title / theme**.
3. Choose the folder where you want to keep the map. In a new workspace, the built-in folder is named **General**.
4. Optionally choose a map icon and accent color.
5. Select **Create map**.

The new map opens immediately. Its title becomes the central idea and is selected for you.

## Add your first ideas

1. With the central idea selected, choose **Add child (Tab)**.
2. Replace **New idea** with your first idea.
3. Press **Command+Enter** on macOS or **Ctrl+Enter** on Windows or Linux to finish editing.
4. With the new idea selected, choose **Add sibling (Enter)**.
5. Enter another idea and finish editing.

Adding an idea to the canvas does not create a Jira issue. Jira changes happen only when you choose a Jira action.

## Edit an idea

1. Select the idea you want to change.
2. Double-click it, or choose **Rename (F2)** from the selected-idea toolbar.
3. Edit the text.
4. Press **Command+Enter** on macOS or **Ctrl+Enter** on Windows or Linux to keep the change.

Press **Escape** instead if you want to cancel the edit.

Renaming the central idea also changes the map title shown in the sidebar.

## Move around the canvas

- Select an empty part of the canvas to clear the current idea, then hold **Space** and drag to move across the canvas.
- Scroll or pinch to zoom.
- Use **Zoom In**, **Zoom Out**, and **Fit View** when you want precise controls.
- Use the arrow keys to move between ideas after selecting one.

## Use the expanded view

1. Select **Fullscreen** in the map header.
2. Work with the larger canvas.
3. Select the **X** button labeled **Close expanded mind map** to return to the Jira project view.

This expands Mind Map Studio inside Jira. It does not put your browser or operating system into fullscreen mode.

## Check the result

Your first map is ready when:

- It appears inside the chosen folder in the sidebar.
- The central idea uses the map title you entered.
- Your child and sibling ideas remain visible when you open another map and return.
- No offline, failed-save, or cloud-conflict warning is shown.

Mind Map Studio saves changes automatically. There is no manual Save button for the canvas.

## Fix a problem

### Mind Map Studio is missing from the project

Confirm that the app is installed for the Jira site and available in this project. Ask a Jira administrator if you cannot see it in the project navigation.

### The map is not created

Make sure **Central title / theme** contains visible text, then select **Create map** again. An empty title shows **Enter a map title that contains at least one visible character.**

### A map does not open

Choose the map again from the sidebar. If Mind Map Studio shows that the map is unavailable, reload the app and try again. You may need access to that map or project.

### Your changes are not saved yet

Keep the page open and check your internet connection. If a save warning appears, follow the actions in the warning and do not close the page while it remains visible. On larger screens, the header shows **Saved** after Atlassian Cloud confirms the change.

## Related guides

- [Organize maps and folders](./maps-and-folders.md)
- [Build and edit a mind map](./building-and-editing.md)
- [Add existing Jira issues to a map](./working-with-jira/add-existing-issues.md)