Idea Tree
Branch out ideas from a central theme for brainstorming and organizing thoughts. Saved in your browser; export to JSON. No upload.
No upload, no data sent β everything runs in your browser.
About this tool
Idea Tree is a thinking tool that lets you branch out from a central theme the way a tree grows limbs. By arranging half-formed thoughts into a parent-to-child hierarchy, a brainstorm that tends to jump around becomes a single, readable structure. It suits any moment where you first want quantity: rough project drafts, article outlines, or feature discovery.
The flow is simple. Enter a central theme, then keep adding child nodes. Each child can have children of its own, so a big theme breaks down step by step into finer pieces. Your work is saved automatically to your browser localStorage, so you can close the page and pick up where you left off. Nothing you type is sent to a server.
Where a logic tree is the logical tool for breaking causes or means down without gaps, an idea tree is for the divergent phase, where you spread ideas freely without worrying about being right. A useful pattern is to generate volume here first, then narrow it down with a logic tree or an Eisenhower matrix.
You can export the tree as JSON to keep it, then load it back later to continue editing. This is handy for keeping a personal record or moving your work to another device.
How to use
- Type your theme in the central bubble.
- Use + to grow branches and keep adding ideas as they come.
- Edit or delete any node; it saves automatically. Use Export/Import JSON to save or share.
FAQ
Is what I type sent anywhere?
No. All editing happens in your browser, and the content is stored in your device localStorage. Nothing is uploaded or sent to a server.
Will my work disappear if I close the page?
No. It is saved to your browser automatically, so reopening the same browser restores your work. Note that it will not carry over to a different device, a private window, or after you clear browser data.
How is this different from a mind map?
The goal of expanding ideas in a hierarchy is similar, but this tool uses a simple parent-child tree rather than a radial diagram. You can focus on writing things down without learning how to draw connecting lines.
Can I save or share a tree I made?
Yes, you can export it as JSON. The exported file can be loaded again to keep editing, and it also works for moving your work to another device.
How deep can the hierarchy go?
You can go deeper step by step by adding children to children. Going too deep makes the whole picture hard to scan, so it helps to spread out at two or three levels first and only drill into the branches that matter.
When is it most useful?
It shines in the divergent phase where you want volume first: early project ideas, outlines for blog posts or presentations, and discovery of features or tasks. Combine it with other tools when it is time to narrow down.