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# Using Layers in API Visualizer

> For the full documentation index, see: https://docs.mulesoft.com/llms.txt

When you associate a node with a layer, you create a visual representation of the applications in
your network. Use one of the default layers provided by API Visualizer, or create a custom layer.

> [!NOTE] The application appears in its assigned layer in every defined view in which it’s
> included. It also appears in the correct layer across all visualization types.

## Add a Service to a Layer

Map a node to a layer in the application’s properties file, or using the UI in the Architecture
visualization.

### Set a Layer with Properties

Use the `anypoint.platform.visualizer.layer=<name>` property to automate adding nodes to a layer
either by adding it to application’s properties at deployment time through the Runtime Manager UI,
CI/CD (Maven), or API.

This property is an application property, not a server property. When you use this property, nodes
automatically appear in the specified layer and, if that layer doesn’t exist, it’s automatically
created.

You can’t reassign a node layer using the API Visualizer UI if you assign it using an application
property.

## Set a Layer with the Architecture Visualization UI

If a node wasn’t assigned to a layer at deployment time using the Runtime Manager UI or API, by
default, the node isn’t assigned to a layer in API Visualizer. Use the API Visualizer UI to:

- Assign a node to an existing layer or, if the node does not have a layer set via properties,
  change the assigned layer.

- Create a new layer.

### Assign a Layer to a Node

1.  Within the Architecture visualization, select the application node to add to a layer.

    Hold the shift key to select multiple nodes to apply layers to all the selected nodes at once.

    The **Customization** section for the node appears in the **Customization** tab of the node’s
    card:

    ![Select Node](/mulesoft/current/en-us/visualizer/_images/select-node.png)

2.  In the **Customization** section, expand the drop-down list next to **Layer** as shown in this
    image:

    ![Select Layer](/mulesoft/current/en-us/visualizer/_images/select-layer.png)

3.  Select the layer from the drop-down list.

    The node you selected appears within the layer as shown in this image:

    ![Node in Layer](/mulesoft/current/en-us/visualizer/_images/select-layer-result.png)

### Create a New Layer

In addition to the default layers provided by API Visualizer, you can create new layers to customize
the view of your application network.

1.  Select the node to add to a new layer.

2.  From the drop-down list in the **Customization** section, select **New Layer**.

3.  Enter a name for your layer in the dialog box, then select **Create Layer**.

    The node appears in the new layer. You can add more nodes to the new layer as necessary.

## Delete a Layer

If a layer has no services assigned to it, API Visualizer deletes the layer automatically:

- If the layer is a default layer, it disappears from the canvas but is still available in the
  dropdown.

- If the layer is a custom layer, it disappears from the canvas and the dropdown.

API Visualizer also automatically adjusts the network display.

## Reorder Layers

In the canvas of the Architecture visualization, use the arrows to move it up or down relative to
the other layers.

## Minimize and Maximize Layers

Use the minus sign (**\-**) to minimize a layer. When a layer is minimized, the apps and app details
are hidden.

Use the plus sign (**+**) to maximize a layer to show all the apps.

## See Also

- [Defining a View in API Visualizer](https://docs.mulesoft.com/visualizer/view)

- [Using Tags in API Visualizer](https://docs.mulesoft.com/visualizer/use-tags-in-visualizer)

- [API Visualizer Architecture Visualization](https://docs.mulesoft.com/visualizer/architecture-visualization)