---
title: Building Interactive Node Graphs
date: 2026-04-15
author: Max Litruv Boonzaayer
tags: javascript, graph-systems, tutorial
---

# Building Interactive Node Graphs

In this post, I'll share some insights on building interactive node-based graph systems for the web.

## Why Node Graphs?

Node graphs are powerful visual programming tools that make complex logic easier to understand and manipulate:

- **Visual Clarity**: See the flow of data and execution at a glance
- **Modularity**: Each node is a self-contained unit
- **Flexibility**: Easy to add new node types and behaviors

## The Architecture

The system is built on several key classes:

### NodeBase
The abstract base class that all nodes inherit from. It defines the blueprint interface:

```javascript
class NodeBase {
    static NodeType = "";
    static BlueprintPure_GetDefaultPins() { }
    BlueprintNativeEvent_OnRender(article, graphNode, renderCtx) { }
    async BlueprintCallable_Execute(ctx) { }
}
```

### Node Registry
Automatically registers node types and creates instances based on type strings.

### Execution Context
Handles the graph traversal and execution flow when nodes are triggered.

## Creating Custom Nodes

To create a new node type:

1. Extend `NodeBase`
2. Set a unique `NodeType`
3. Define pins with `BlueprintPure_GetDefaultPins()`
4. Implement rendering in `BlueprintNativeEvent_OnRender()`
5. Implement logic in `BlueprintCallable_Execute()`

That's the blueprint system in a nutshell!