# Hide long wires links in your flow to avoid cluttering

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448>\
**Category:** Share Your Nodes\
**Tags:** link-nodes\
**Created:** [11 July 2026 05:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448 "2026-07-11T05:32:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 13\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Robert0](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/robert0/32/108008_2.png) [@Robert0](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Robert0)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2026 05:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/1 "2026-07-11T05:32:46Z")

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## New plugin: `node-red-contrib-short-circuit`

Hi all,

I made a small editor plugin called [`node-red-contrib-short-circuit`](https://flows.nodered.org/node/node-red-contrib-short-circuit).

It hides very long wires in the editor and replaces them with short endpoints, which helps keep larger flows a bit cleaner.

You can:

- Hover an endpoint to see which node it connects to
- Click the preview to jump to that node
- Click the endpoint or node to temporarily show the full connection as a dashed wire
- Change the distance threshold in the plugin configuration file

Nothing in the flow itself is changed or saved differently. It is only a visual editor feature.

Package: [`node-red-contrib-short-circuit`](https://flows.nodered.org/node/node-red-contrib-short-circuit)

I made this after I made the [`node-red-contrib-quick-link`](https://flows.nodered.org/node/node-red-contrib-quick-link) which made me think. I might merge these and others into a single one at one point.

Feedback, bugs and ideas are welcome!

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**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2026 10:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/2 "2026-07-11T10:57:26Z")

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That sounds terrific.

Some of those are what the `link` nodes should have.  
Like jumping to the other end.

I'm going to give t a go.

I'm using 4.0.9  
~~The `click on the preview to jump to that node` doesn't seem to be working.  
Does it scroll the screen?~~

Ok, note to people:  
It only kinda works if the other node is NOT visible. Then the screen scrolls/puts the other end in the middle of the screen.  
So it doesn't work if one node is at one side and the other is at the opposite side.

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**Author:** ![Robert0](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/robert0/32/108008_2.png) [@Robert0](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Robert0)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2026 11:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/3 "2026-07-11T11:19:38Z")

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Hi,

Have not tested it on lower versions, but good to hear it works.  
The node is indeed not being centered when clicking and only works when its outside your FOV.

I am using the native Node Red Go To function. This function can be seen for example when you expand a flow in your explorer and click on any node.

In that example, it won't center if the node is in your FOV.  
I will see if I can adjust that gimmick. For this plugin or in general.

Let me know if you like to see anything else added.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2026 11:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/4 "2026-07-11T11:38:09Z")

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4.0.9 works ok. I just messed up with the distance between and both being visible.

I like it.

Big hugs for it.

Though, now I may actually get/use your other one as it is more related to the existing `link` node/s.

And I use them a fair bit.

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**Author:** ![Robert0](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/robert0/32/108008_2.png) [@Robert0](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Robert0)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2026 11:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/5 "2026-07-11T11:53:23Z")

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Good to hear,

I use it too for my projects. Let me know if you encounter something.  
In the future I might depreciate this one and merge both into 1.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2026 11:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/6 "2026-07-11T11:55:49Z")

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For me, the nominal value is more like 1200. Maybe even 1600

800 seems a bit too _short_.

But to each their own.

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**Author:** ![Robert0](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/robert0/32/108008_2.png) [@Robert0](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Robert0)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2026 12:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/7 "2026-07-11T12:04:26Z")

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It completely depends on your monitor size too. I made this on a laptop screen, while I work on a desktop with a larger monitor.

On my desktop, it feels less cluttered so I dont mind a larger value.

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**Author:** ![CincellaAiazzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@CincellaAiazzi](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/CincellaAiazzi)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2026 13:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/8 "2026-07-11T13:40:01Z")

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Very nice!

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**Author:** ![gdvine](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/gdvine/32/101799_2.png) [@gdvine](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/gdvine)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2026 17:29 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/9 "2026-07-14T17:29:03Z")

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How is this better than link nodes

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Robert0](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/robert0/32/108008_2.png) [@Robert0](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Robert0)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2026 20:46 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/10 "2026-07-14T20:46:56Z")

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I updated it, it should now always center the node for you where ever it may be.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2026 20:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/11 "2026-07-14T20:48:11Z")

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Because it automatically applies itself to long wires between nodes.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Robert0](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/robert0/32/108008_2.png) [@Robert0](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Robert0)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2026 20:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/12 "2026-07-14T20:52:12Z")

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> Blockquote

> [@gdvine](#):
>
> How is this better than link nodes

Its not a link node nor is it mentioned to be better. But if you ask me why its better I would say:

- Its less effort
- Its not 2x a node
- Its automatic
- It cleans any (existing) flow.

This is not a replacement for a link node. Those were made to... well link. Its a replacement for the wire link between nodes.

I even suggested to use links or the link plugin.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![gdvine](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/gdvine/32/101799_2.png) [@gdvine](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/gdvine)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2026 22:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/hide-long-wires-links-in-your-flow-to-avoid-cluttering/101448/13 "2026-07-14T22:36:26Z")

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thanks x2!
