# \[ANNOUNCEMENT\] node-red-autolayout-sidebar: experimental version(s)

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/announcement-node-red-autolayout-sidebar-experimental-version-s/82263>\
**Category:** Share Your Nodes\
**Created:** [22 October 2023 20:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/announcement-node-red-autolayout-sidebar-experimental-version-s/82263 "2023-10-22T20:53:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![BartButenaers](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bartbutenaers/32/10476_2.png) [@BartButenaers](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/BartButenaers)\
**Post date:** [22 October 2023 20:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/announcement-node-red-autolayout-sidebar-experimental-version-s/82263/1 "2023-10-22T20:53:23Z")

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Hi folks,

Version _ **0.0.1** _ of a new sidebar plugin for auto-layout flows ([@bartbutenaers/node-red-autolayout-sidebar](https://github.com/bartbutenaers/node-red-autolayout-sidebar/blob/main/README.md)) is now available in the palette.

This plugin is based on the [node-red-contrib-auto-alignment](https://github.com/gorenje/node-red-contrib-auto-alignment) node of @gregorius. Because I have copied the core code from his node, I have to be honest that most credits for this plugin go to gregorius 🙏

Short demo how this plugin can be used:

![auto_layout_demo](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/f/8/f82bfb9225e6604d271a7b9949c4479ad105dee8.gif)

As described in the readme page, this node is _ **experimental** _. There is still a lot to learn about those algorithms. So hopefully we get some constructive feedback, that allows us to find a good algorithm and good settings.

Have fun with it!  
Bart

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**Author:** ![gregorius](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/gregorius/32/73816_2.png) [@gregorius](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/gregorius)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2023 05:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/announcement-node-red-autolayout-sidebar-experimental-version-s/82263/2 "2023-10-23T05:38:16Z")

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Thank you @BartButenaers for the great work 👍

As an added bonus, I can now simulate Conways' [Game of Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway's_Game_of_Life):

![game_of_life15](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/5/a/5a476691a2c16a91fa24e20a5879568a05e051d4.gif)

The joys of it all 🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BartButenaers](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bartbutenaers/32/10476_2.png) [@BartButenaers](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/BartButenaers)\
**Post date:** [24 October 2023 19:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/announcement-node-red-autolayout-sidebar-experimental-version-s/82263/3 "2023-10-24T19:08:50Z")

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@gregorius has been so kind to continue sharing his knowledge, by supporting now this sidebar plugin 👍

He implemented version _ **0.0.2** _, which is now available in the palette. This version contains some minor fixes, but also auto layouting for flows containing _ **junctions** _:

![autolayout_junction](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/5/8/58224f43e4578d50b3b1c74b61f6ee64858c846c.gif)