Quick Start Guide to MindSnap

MindSnap transforms web content into interactive mind maps powered by AI. This quick start guide will get you up and running in minutes, from installation to creating your first mind map.

Installation

Step 1: Install the Extension

1. Visit the Chrome Web Store
2. Click the "Add to Chrome" button
3. Confirm by clicking "Add extension" in the popup

After installation, you'll see the MindSnap icon in your browser toolbar.

Step 2: Welcome Tour

When you first install MindSnap, a welcome page will open automatically:

1. Take the guided tour to understand key features
2. Review the quick start instructions
3. Close the welcome page when you're ready to begin

You can always access the welcome page again by clicking on the MindSnap icon and selecting "Help" from the menu.

Setting Up Your AI Provider

MindSnap uses AI to create mind maps. You'll need to connect to an AI provider to use all features.

Option 1: OpenAI (GPT)

1. Get an API key from OpenAI's platform
2. Click the MindSnap icon in your toolbar
3. Select "Settings" → "AI Provider"
4. Choose "OpenAI" from the dropdown
5. Enter your API key
6. Select your preferred model (GPT-3.5 Turbo recommended for beginners)
7. Click "Test Connection" to verify
8. Save your settings

Option 2: Anthropic Claude

1. Get an API key from Anthropic's console
2. Open MindSnap settings
3. Select "Anthropic" from the provider dropdown
4. Enter your API key
5. Choose your preferred Claude model
6. Test and save your settings

Option 3: Google Gemini

1. Get an API key from Google AI Studio
2. Open MindSnap settings
3. Select "Gemini" from the provider dropdown
4. Enter your API key
5. Choose your preferred Gemini model
6. Test and save your settings

Creating Your First Mind Map

Let's create your first mind map from web content:

Method 1: From Selected Text

1. Visit any webpage with interesting content
2. Select some text (a paragraph or section)
3. Right-click and choose "MindSnap" → "Create Mind Map from Selection"
4. MindSnap will open and generate a mind map from your selection

Method 2: From the Current Page

1. Visit an article or blog post
2. Click the MindSnap icon in your toolbar
3. Select "Create Mind Map from Current Page"
4. MindSnap will process the entire page and generate a comprehensive mind map

Method 3: From Direct Text Input

1. Click the MindSnap icon in your toolbar
2. Select "Open MindSnap"
3. In the MindSnap interface, click "Create New"
4. Choose "From Text Input"
5. Paste or type your content
6. Click "Generate Mind Map"

Understanding the MindSnap Interface

Once your mind map is generated, you'll see the full MindSnap interface:

Interface Components

1. Menu Bar: Access all features and tools
2. Canvas: The main area where your mind map is displayed
3. Node Editor: Click on any node to edit its content
4. AI Feature Buttons: Access specialized AI features like Summary, Key Points, etc.
5. Export Options: Save your mind map in various formats

Basic Navigation

• Pan: Click and drag on empty canvas areas
• Zoom: Use your mouse wheel or pinch gestures on trackpads
• Select: Click on a node to select it
• Expand/Collapse: Click the small triangle on nodes with children

Editing Your Mind Map

Now that you have your first mind map, let's make some basic edits:

Adding and Modifying Nodes

1. Add a Child Node:

   • Select a parent node
   • Press Enter or click the "+" button
   • Type your content and press Enter again

2. Edit a Node:

   • Double-click any node to edit its text
   • Click away or press Enter when done

3. Delete a Node:

   • Select the node
   • Press Delete or use the right-click menu
   • Confirm deletion if prompted

Rearranging Your Mind Map

1. Move Nodes:

   • Click and drag nodes to new positions
   • Smart guides will help with alignment

2. Auto-Layout:

   • Click "Layout" in the menu bar
   • Choose your preferred layout style (Horizontal, Vertical, etc.)
   • Watch as MindSnap reorganizes your mind map

Using AI Features

MindSnap's AI capabilities go beyond initial mind map creation:

Try These AI Features

1. Auto-Summary:

   • Click "AI Features" → "Auto-Summary"
   • MindSnap will create a concise summary of your content

2. Key Points:

   • Click "AI Features" → "Key Points"
   • Get the most important takeaways as a mind map

3. Flashcards:

   • Generate a mind map with your content in question-answer format
   • Perfect for study sessions

4. Explain Like I'm 5:

   • Simplify complex content into easy-to-understand concepts
   • Great for technical or academic material

Saving and Exporting

Don't lose your work! Here's how to save and export:

Auto-Save

MindSnap automatically saves your work in your browser's local storage. If you close and reopen MindSnap, your most recent mind maps will be available.

Export Options

1. JSON Export:

   • Click "Export" → "JSON"
   • Save the file to your computer
   • Use this format to reopen your mind map later

2. Image Export:

   • Click "Export" → "PNG" or "SVG"
   • Choose your export settings
   • Save the image file for sharing or presentations

3. Clipboard Copy:

   • Select a node or section
   • Use Ctrl/Cmd+C to copy
   • Paste into other applications

Customizing Your Experience

Make MindSnap work the way you do:

Theme Settings

1. Toggle between light and dark mode:
   • Click "Settings" → "Appearance"
   • Choose "Light", "Dark", or "System" (follows your browser theme)

Language Options

1. Change the interface language:
   • Click "Settings" → "Language"
   • Select from available languages (English, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean)
   • The interface will update immediately

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems, try these quick fixes:

Connection Issues

If MindSnap can't connect to your AI provider:

1. Verify your API key is entered correctly
2. Check that you have available credits/quota with your provider
3. Try another provider temporarily

Performance Issues

If MindSnap seems slow:

1. Try working with smaller sections of content
2. Close unused browser tabs
3. Collapse complex branches of your mind map

Next Steps

Now that you're up and running with MindSnap, here are some next steps:

1. Explore Advanced Features:

   • Try different AI models to see which works best for your content
   • Experiment with different layout styles
   • Learn keyboard shortcuts for faster mapping

2. Build Your Workflow:

   • Create mind maps for notes, research, or project planning
   • Develop a consistent organization system
   • Practice regular exports for backup

3. Join the Community:

   • Share your feedback and suggestions
   • Report any issues on our GitHub page
   • Connect with other users for tips and inspiration

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've now mastered the basics of MindSnap. With this foundation, you can transform how you process and visualize information from the web.

For more detailed guides, check out our other blog posts:

• Mastering MindSnap: Advanced Features and Use Cases
• Setting Up AI Providers with MindSnap
• Creating Concept Maps with MindSnap

Happy mapping!