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# Creating Custom Nodes

Creating custom nodes allows you to bypass limitations associated with Piper's standard node library, or even simply improve the functionality of current nodes.

Let's create a custom **Merge text to JSON** node that takes multiple text strings and combines them into a single JSON array.

## **1. Loading a Node from the Node Library**

To create a custom node, start by loading an existing node that's closest to your requirements. Navigate to the node library using the **plus (+)** icon in the top left corner of the pipeline workspace and select the **Input Text** node for modification, since it has minimal code and works with strings.

After adding the node, open its settings.

![Node Settings Panel](../img/create-node-1.png)

The settings panel includes several tabs:

- **Inputs** - Current node parameters, their configuration, image loading
- **Design** - Creating input and output parameters, defining their properties
- **Script** - Editing JavaScript code, node logic
- **Environment** - Configure environment variables
- **Catalog** - View node metadata and publish it
- **YAML** - Access the node's YAML

## **2. Node Configuration**

Customization begins in the **Design** tab, where the node structure is defined.

![Design Tab](../img/create-node-2.png)

### Basic Properties
- **ID** - Internal name used in code (lowercase Latin letters, no spaces)
- **Title** - Display name visible to the user

For our node, the previous values need to be replaced with:
- ID: `merge_text_to_json`
- Title: `Merge text to JSON`

### Adding Input Parameters

Our node needs 4 string inputs. To add a new input:

1. Expand the **Inputs** hamburger menu
2. Enter the new input name: `string1`
3. Click **Add**

![Adding New Input Parameter](../img/create-node-3.png)

Configure the input parameters:
- **Type**: string (i.e., text)
- **Title**: String 1 (name displayed on the node)

![Configuring Input Properties](../img/create-node-4.png)

Repeat this process to create inputs `string2`, `string3`, and `string4`.

To remove the previous input parameter `input_text`, uncheck it in the Inputs menu.

![Removing Original Input](../img/create-node-5.png)

If no visual changes occur, you need to temporarily open another tab and then return to Design.

### Advanced Input Parameter Settings

Access to detailed settings is opened through the hamburger menu.

![Input Parameter Settings Dropdown Menu](../img/create-node-6.png)

Available options include:

- **Order** (number) - Sets the order of inputs in the node
- **Description** (text) - Tooltip text for the parameter
- **Required** (boolean) - True makes the parameter mandatory
- **Group** (text) - Groups related settings
- **Enum** (text) - Creates dropdown lists with predefined values
- **Multiline** (boolean) - Expands String fields for long text
- **Min, Max** (number) - Sets constraints for Integer fields
- **Step** (number) - Converts Integer field to slider with step equal to Step value
- **Default** - Sets default values
- **Placeholder** (text) - Shows hints in empty String fields
- **Schema** - Technical field for scripts
- **Extensions** (text) - Adds special functionality (e.g., draw-mask for setting masks on uploaded images)

![Example Extension Configuration](../img/create-node-7.png)

### Configuring Output Parameters

Create an output parameter. To do this, delete the previous output `output_text` and add a new `json_output` with the following parameters:
- **Type**: JSON
- **Title**: JSON

The final Design window should look something like this:

![Edited Design Tab](../img/create-node-8.png)

:::tip Tip
Monitor your changes in the **Inputs** tab to see how modifications affect the node structure.
:::

The next step - writing the node's script logic, is covered in the **Node Script Tab** section.