> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.notionapps.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.notionapps.com/guides/find-your-way-around-the-builder-nav-rail.md).

# Find Your Way Around the Builder Nav Rail

The builder left sidebar is now a wider **icon-grid nav rail** with hover flyovers — the same pattern as the admin console — so Screens, Databases, Automation, and Help are easier to find.

This guide orients makers to the rail, flyovers, Automation entitlements, Help, and the collapsible Screens configuration panel.

{% hint style="info" %}
**What’s new**\
Icons sit in a labeled grid. Hover (or focus) an item to see a flyover with the full name and a short description. Automation / Workflows / Messaging appear when your plan includes those tools.
{% endhint %}

***

### What you get

* A consistent left rail: **Screens**, **Databases**, **Users**, **Settings**, **Integrations**, plus Automation tools when entitled
* Hover **flyovers** that name each area
* **Help** in the rail footer (documentation, community, product tour, zoom)
* On Screens: **Hide configuration** / **Show configuration** to grow the preview, with a sticky footer for primary actions

***

### Before you start

You need:

* Access to an application in the NotionApps builder
* (Optional) An Automation-entitled plan to see Automation / Workflows / Messaging icons

***

### Step 1 — Open any app in the builder

1. Sign in to NotionApps.
2. Open an application from My Apps.
3. Look at the **left rail** — a vertical icon grid (not the older narrow tab stack).

![Builder open with the new left nav rail visible](https://iili.io/CjipCaj.png)

***

### Step 2 — Use flyovers to learn each icon

1. Hover (or keyboard-focus) an icon such as **Screens** or **Databases**.
2. Read the flyover title and short description.
3. Click the icon to open that workspace.

![Hover flyover showing the Screens (or Databases) label](https://iili.io/Cjip1up.png)

#### Common rail destinations

| Icon area                          | Opens                                                    |
| ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Screens                            | Screen list, layout editing, navigation                  |
| Databases                          | Linked Notion databases / reload / recovery tools        |
| Users                              | App users and access                                     |
| Settings                           | App settings (including Version History where available) |
| Integrations                       | Connected integrations                                   |
| Automation / Workflows / Messaging | Automation tools (when entitled)                         |
| Help (footer)                      | Docs, community, product tour, zoom                      |

***

### Step 3 — Open Screens and work with the preview

1. Click **Screens**.
2. Select a screen to edit.
3. Use the center preview and right configuration panel as usual.

![Screens workspace with preview and configuration panel](https://iili.io/Cjip1up.png)

***

### Step 4 — Hide or show the configuration panel

When you need more room for the preview:

1. Click **Hide configuration** (collapses the right config panel).
2. Edit or inspect the larger preview.
3. Click **Show configuration** to bring the panel back.

Primary actions stay available in the **sticky footer** (for example **+ New Screen** and **Edit Navigation**).

![Configuration panel collapsed for a wider preview](https://iili.io/CjipVnt.png)

![Sticky footer actions still available](https://iili.io/CjipVnt.png)

{% hint style="success" %}
**Maker tip**\
Collapse the panel when arranging dense desktop layouts; expand it when tuning Logic / Behaviour.
{% endhint %}

***

### Step 5 — Open Automation tools (when available)

1. If your plan includes Automation, find **Automation** (and related Workflows / Messaging icons) on the rail.
2. Click to open the Automation home / catalog.
3. If you do not see these icons, your current plan or workspace entitlement does not include Automation — use Help → documentation or upgrade paths as needed.

![Automation entry on the nav rail (entitled apps)](https://iili.io/CjipjFs.png)

***

### Step 6 — Use Help from the rail footer

1. Open **Help** at the bottom of the rail.
2. Choose an action such as:
   * Documentation
   * Community
   * Start product guide / tour
   * Zoom in / out for the builder canvas

![Help menu from the builder nav rail footer](https://iili.io/CjipjFs.png)

***

### First-run tour

New or returning makers may see a short **product tour** that highlights the rail. You can restart it later from **Help**.

{% hint style="info" %}
During the tour, hover flyovers are suppressed so they do not cover tour steps.
{% endhint %}

***

### End-to-end example (makers)

**Goal:** Find Page Content settings faster and give the desktop preview more room.

1. Open the app → confirm the icon **nav rail**.
2. Hover **Screens** → click it.
3. Open your Details screen → select **Page Content**.
4. Click **Hide configuration** while checking desktop layout, then **Show configuration** to edit TOC settings.
5. Use **Help** if you need the docs site.

***

### Checklist

* [ ] Can identify Screens / Databases / Settings on the rail
* [ ] Flyovers appear on hover
* [ ] Screens workspace opens correctly
* [ ] Hide / Show configuration works
* [ ] Sticky footer actions remain usable when collapsed
* [ ] Automation icons appear only when entitled (expected)
* [ ] Help opens documentation / tour

***

### Troubleshooting

| Symptom                     | Likely cause                           | What to do                                                             |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| No Automation icon          | Plan / entitlement                     | Confirm Automation on your subscription; contact support if unexpected |
| Flyovers never appear       | Tour active, or focus not on rail      | Finish/dismiss tour; hover icons again                                 |
| Can’t find old “tab” labels | Labels moved into flyovers + icon text | Hover icons; use Help → product guide                                  |
| Config panel “missing”      | Hidden via **Hide configuration**      | Click **Show configuration**                                           |
| Preview too narrow          | Config panel expanded                  | Hide configuration temporarily                                         |

***

### Related notes for makers

* The rail is builder-only; published end-user apps keep their own navigation.
* Admin console uses a similar icon-grid pattern — skills transfer between admin and builder.
* Feature availability (especially Automation) depends on plan and account entitlements.