How to navigate Concepts View

The Concepts view in Chief gives you a dedicated space to explore all the Concepts automatically extracted from your knowledge. You can see them in one place, switch between different data views, and dive into details with just a few clicks.

Written By Patrick Intervalo

Last updated 3 days ago

Open the Concepts page

  1. In the sidebar, open Concepts.

  2. The page title is Project Concepts.

  3. You’ll see:

    • The concept graph (expandable/collapsible)

    • Concept search and sort controls

    • Concept cards/rows

If Concepts is not visible in your sidebar, enable Advanced user mode:
Enable Advanced mode →

Navigating the Concept Graph

The Concept graph gives you a visual way to explore how different Concepts are connected.

  • Graph Layout
    Each Concept appears as a node, with connecting lines showing relationships and relevance to other Concepts.

  • Rotate and Zoom
    Use your mouse or trackpad to rotate the 3D graph, zoom in for detail, or zoom out to see the bigger picture.

  • Pan Across
    Drag to move around the graph and focus on different clusters of Concepts.

  • Click a Concept Node
    Opens the Concept detail view so you can dive deeper.

  • Explore Relationships
    Move from one Concept to another along the connecting lines to see how ideas, people, or projects intersect across your knowledge.

  • Hide the Graph
    Click the Hide Graph button in the upper-left corner if you want to work in list view only.

Chatting with Concepts

You can ask Chief questions directly through your Concepts:

  • Select Concept to Chat with
    Hover over a Concept node and click on the Chat button on the right to open a conversation focused on that idea.

Using the Slider

On the right side of the Concept graph, you’ll find a vertical slider that controls how Concepts are displayed.

  • Slide Up (Top Concepts)
    Show fewer, more central Concepts to get a simplified, bird’s-eye overview of your knowledge.

  • Slide Down (All Concepts)
    Reveal more Concepts and connections, surfacing granular details and less central nodes.

Adjusting the slider helps you shift smoothly between a big-picture perspective and a detailed exploration of your knowledge graph.

Why Use Concepts View and Graph?

Together, the Concepts list and Concept graph help you:

  • Get a structured overview of key topics in your knowledge

  • See connections you might not have noticed by looking at files individually

  • Move seamlessly from visual exploration to detailed context

  • Turn scattered information into an interactive, interconnected map

  • Directly ask questions and generate insights by chatting with one or more Concepts.