# Topology

Topology is a visual tree of your project. It shows how epics, stories, and tasks fit together, with the project at the top.

## Understand the whole plan

Use Topology when a new teammate asks how a task contributes to a larger goal. Start with the project overview, then explore the relevant epic and story.

## Explore the tree

1. Open a project and choose **Topology** from the view menu.
2. Find an epic in the overview. Double-click it to zoom into that part of the tree. Use a card's expand control to reveal its children, then explore a story's tasks.

![Project topology overview with an epic and zoom controls highlighted](https://sprintree.com/docs-media/topology-tree-light-d4100dc3.webp)

3. Use **Zoom in** and **Zoom out**, or the mouse wheel, to change the scale. Drag the canvas to move around.
4. Click a card to see its preview. Open the card when you need to edit its details.
5. Use **Up a level** to move back through the tree. The **Topology levels** breadcrumbs also let you return to an earlier level.

![Expanded topology with the breadcrumb and Up a level controls highlighted](https://sprintree.com/docs-media/topology-collapse-light-71065992.webp)

6. Choose **Fit** to return to an overview of the whole topology.

## Tips and common mistakes

- Topology reflects parent relationships. To change where a task belongs, edit its parent on the card.
- Filters narrow the visible work. The count tells you when only part of the project matches.
- `+` and `-` zoom the view. Arrow keys move between nodes when you are navigating the canvas. `Escape` moves up a level.
- Use **Hierarchy** if you prefer an indented list of parents and children.
- A link such as **Blocks** is a dependency between cards. It does not make one card the other's parent.

## Related pages

- [Core ideas](https://sprintree.com/docs/core-ideas)
- [Card details](https://sprintree.com/docs/card-details)
- [List and filters](https://sprintree.com/docs/list-and-filters)