Adding elements

Add elements to your design using quick insert or drag-and-drop.

There are three ways to add elements to your design in Subframe: quick insert, the insert panel, and the insert tools.

Method 1: Quick insert (recommended)

1. Select an element on your canvas
2. Hover over the edges of the selection box
3. Click the button to open the search popup
4. Search for and select the element you want to add
5. The new element will be inserted in the direction you clicked

Keyboard shortcuts

You can also use these keyboard shortcuts after selecting an element:

• Quick insert above: Ctrl + I
• Quick insert below: Ctrl + K
• Quick insert left: Ctrl + J
• Quick insert right: Ctrl + L

Method 2: Drag and drop from the Insert panel

1. Click on the Insert tab in the left panel
2. Find the element you want to add
3. Drag it directly onto your canvas

Tabs

There are two tabs in the Insert panel:

• Your library contains basic elements like text, images, and icons, as well as components like buttons, inputs from your design system.
• Snippets contains larger, pre-built compositions like page headers, navigation bars, card layouts, and other complex UI patterns.

Method 3: Insert tools

Press a shortcut to pick up an insert tool, then click where you want the element to land—no need to select an element first.

• Press F to insert a stack
• Press T to insert text

As you move over the canvas, a preview follows your cursor and a line shows where the element will land. Click to place it. Inserting text drops you straight into editing so you can start typing.

Press V or Esc to exit the insert tool and return to selecting.