# nodeBook: CNL knowledge graphs in posts (concept maps, inference, Petri-net simulation)

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/nodebook-cnl-knowledge-graphs-in-posts-concept-maps-inference-petri-net-simulation/409634
**Category:** Extras
**Created:** [August 9, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/nodebook-cnl-knowledge-graphs-in-posts-concept-maps-inference-petri-net-simulation/409634 "2026-08-09T14:56:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![G\_N](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/g_n/32/140060_2.png) [@G\_N](https://meta.discourse.org/u/G_N)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/nodebook-cnl-knowledge-graphs-in-posts-concept-maps-inference-petri-net-simulation/409634/1 "2026-08-09T14:57:00Z")

</div>

# Introducing a new component for drawing Knowledge Graphs

nodeBook renders **Controlled Natural Language** (CNL) written in ````nodeBook` code fences as **interactive knowledge graphs** — in posts, chat messages, and the composer preview. It works like diagram extensions such as graphviz, mermaid.

This component allows users to include: mindmaps; concept maps with features supporting inference and query; named edges and draggable nodes; a click-to-open node inspector with polymorphic states (morphs); inferred relations (transitive closure + Prolog inverse/symmetric rules) drawn dashed with proof tooltips; a containment view nesting class hierarchies; and **Petri-net process notation with click-to-fire token simulation** — chemical reactions, biological pathways, and system models come alive in a post. ````nodeBook-schema` fences let a topic define its own types. A composer toolbar entry inserts a starter graph. The graphs are rendered using `cytoscapjs`.

**Install:** Admin → Customize → Themes → Install → _From a git repository_ → the repo URL above, as a component. No server plugin — works on hosted Discourse. Setting: `graph_height`.

Built on the open-source (AGPL, like Discourse) npm packages [@nodebook/dom](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@nodebook/dom) / [@nodebook/core](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@nodebook/core) — the same engine behind nodeBook for Logseq and Obsidian. Live example on a production forum: [Testing nodeBook component - LivingAcademy - ChatShaala](https://metastudio.org/t/testing-nodebook-component/17153) · Guided tutorial: [nodeBook](https://nodebook.co.in/n/tutorial) which is a [https://hedgedoc.org/](https://hedgedoc.org/) fork, where it is developed and tested.