Visual Nerve turns ideas, data and code into diagrams you can explore, annotate, simulate and explain. Start with one task, then follow the related guides as your diagram grows.
The app is available in eight languages: English, Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Swedish, Finnish, German, Spanish and French. Choose App language in Settings . This Help and the API reference are in English; diagram content and narration are independent of the interface language.
Start with your goal
| I want to… | Start here |
|---|---|
| Get a first diagram onto the canvas | Your first diagram |
| Connect, group and mark objects as done | Editing objects and relationships |
| Draw a classic IBM flowchart in 2D or 3D | IBM flowchart symbols |
| Understand which flowchart shape to choose | Symbol meanings and practical examples |
| Document functions or information movement | HIPO or classic DFDs |
| Model software structure, behavior or interactions | UML’s 14 diagram families |
| Describe business work between participants | BPMN’s four views |
| Understand a large CSV without losing its relationships | Explore a CSV , then connect and refresh sources |
| See what a query or codebase depends on | SQL queries and schemas or source code |
| Find where capacity or queues hurt a business | Process Simulator |
| Plan compute, network or generation and battery capacity | Infrastructure capacity |
| Walk someone through a diagram like a film | Presentations, narration and video |
| Turn a workflow into an app brief | Export and Lovable |
| Work on one diagram with approved people | Realtime collaboration |
| Connect Codex or another MCP client | API and MCP setup |
How to use these guides
Each guide explains what the feature does, where to find it, the steps to try, how to read the result and what to check if it goes wrong. Use Search help for a label, a task or a format; it searches this documentation locally. On this page jumps to a specific procedure. Select a screenshot to inspect it at its full size.
Screenshots show the real tool with illustrative data. Button names match the English interface. On a phone, use Projects to open diagrams, Edit for selected object properties and Diagram actions for the longer tool menu. The same saved diagram and settings apply in every view.
Keep your work safe
Saved means the change is stored in this browser profile at this website address. There is no automatic account or cloud backup. Optional realtime collaboration shares only a deliberately approved diagram session; other workspace records stay local. Export a full backup regularly, and before clearing site data. See local storage and settings .
Existing guide links
These entry points keep earlier links and bookmarks useful.
Process Simulator
Build, run and compare processes , including shared resources, real queues, scaling, costs and replay.
Plan CPU/RAM, multi-site networks and energy supply with dedicated resource units and the same engine, or combine them in the Datacenter Capacity example.
Move around
Navigate the canvas and use the pen layer , with desktop and touch controls.
Edit your graph
Edit objects and relationships or explore the same diagram in 3D .
Classic Flowcharting
Choose and edit IBM stencil symbols in blank diagrams or ordinary templates, including the Classic Flowcharting starting set, in 2D and 3D. Learn what every symbol means and when to use it .
Notation collections
Choose HIPO, classic DFD, UML or BPMN , then edit the collection’s structured symbols, relationships, ports and references. HIPO documents functional hierarchy and IPO; DFD follows data; UML models software views; BPMN describes business work and participant communication.
Present a numbered walkthrough
Number objects, play, minimize, add narration and export video .
Owners, search and filters
Organize responsibility, find objects and narrow the view .
Layout and timelines
Mind maps, explicit layouts and date-based timelines .
Draw over a diagram
Draw and erase on a separate saved layer .
Import file size
Change the local import limit and understand the remaining limits .
Explore a CSV
Clean, filter, group and measure a CSV .
Connect sources and repeat an analysis
Relate files, explain values, refresh sources and save analysis views .
Import a SQL schema
Visualize SELECT/WITH queries and CREATE/ALTER schemas .
Visualize source code
Preview code projects and linked Markdown documents .
Import draw.io or Visio
Convert a selected diagram page into native editable objects .
Build an app with Lovable
Review and share an app specification .
Save and work offline
Understand local saves, offline use and conflicts .
Update the app
Apply new fixes and features when you are ready, while keeping your saved workspace .
Exchange and backups
Choose an export format or back up and restore the whole workspace .
Codex and MCP
Install/start the optional local bridge, configure access and discover the API .
Understand a large diagram
Use overview, relationship evidence, saved views and history .
Present scenes and review an app specification
Storyboard scenes and Lovable specification review .
Time Series & Signal Analysis
Import history, measure change, inspect signals and compare what-if scenarios .