> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.phinite.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Graph creation methods

> Build Agent Graphs with Phinite Aura or the manual canvas.

Choose how you bootstrap and refine an Agent Graph. Both methods use the same canvas, drawer, and **Save** → **Build** workflow.

## Phinite Aura (prompt-based)

**Aura** turns a plain-language goal into a draft canvas — nodes, edges, tool hints, and variable suggestions.

1. Open **Graph Studio** or start **New Agent Graph**.
2. Open **Phinite Aura** in the left sidebar (often open by default with **Agent Graph Context Active**).
3. Describe goal, inputs, knowledge sources, tools, and expected outputs.
4. Review proposed builds/edits; apply when ready; validate each node drawer (**Details**, **RAG**, **Tools**, **Variables**).
5. Refine on the canvas, then **Save**.

<Frame caption="Graph Studio with Phinite Aura and canvas">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/phinite/9A3jAaljSLWX8Xhw/images/v2/studio/05-studio-shell-travel.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9A3jAaljSLWX8Xhw&q=85&s=c2847d522aa220e7335afed44d5e8018" alt="Graph Studio with Aura and Travel Booking graph" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/v2/studio/05-studio-shell-travel.png" />
</Frame>

| Include in your prompt | Why                                    |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| **Goal**               | What the graph should achieve          |
| **Inputs**             | Variables and formats the run receives |
| **Knowledge**          | RAG collections to ground answers      |
| **Tools**              | APIs or integrations to call           |
| **Success criteria**   | Expected outputs                       |

<Tip>
  Name relevant RAG collections and [Tools](/devstudio/overview) in your Aura prompt for better first drafts.
</Tip>

Before **Save**, confirm a clear path from **Start** to **End** and that branch edge labels match your design ([Connections](/graph-studio/connections)).

## Manual canvas

Use the manual canvas for full control over placement, edge order, and drawer configuration.

1. **New Agent Graph** → choose **Conversational** or **Autonomous** → **Create**.
2. **Add nodes** from the floating canvas palette ([Node types](/graph-studio/interface/node-library)).
3. **Connect edges** ([Connections](/graph-studio/connections)).
4. **Configure the drawer** ([Agent configuration](/graph-studio/interface/node-library)).
5. **Test** from the toolbar, then **Save**.

<Frame caption="Configure a node in the drawer">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/phinite/9A3jAaljSLWX8Xhw/images/v2/studio/06-node-drawer-details.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9A3jAaljSLWX8Xhw&q=85&s=210108b4c8893120afa11fa1488b6cba" alt="Node drawer Details tab" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/v2/studio/06-node-drawer-details.png" />
</Frame>

### Iterate

1. Run sample inputs from **Test**.
2. Refine prompts, RAG, and [variables](/graph-studio/interface#variables).
3. Adjust [conditional edges](/graph-studio/connections) for branching graphs.
4. **Save** after each meaningful change.

## Related

* [Graph Studio overview](/graph-studio/overview)
* [Publishing](/graph-studio/publishing)