Navigating the Interface

This guide covers Kernel's main interface elements and how to navigate between them.

Header

The header bar contains:

• Kernel logo: Click to return to the dashboard

• Workspace selector: Switch between workspaces

• Search: Find constructs, parts, and files across your workspace

• New button: Create new repositories, constructs, parts, or notebooks

• Notifications: View alerts and completed runs

• Profile: Access account settings

New Button Menu

Left Sidebar

The left sidebar provides navigation to main sections:

Home

The dashboard showing:

• Create new shortcuts

• Recent files and repositories

• Notifications feed

• Quick links to tutorials

Dashboard

Repos

Browse and manage repositories:

• All repositories: Complete list

• Favorite repositories: Starred items

• My repositories: Created by you

• Workspace repositories: Shared in your workspace

• Shared repositories: Shared with you

• Public repositories: Publicly accessible

Filter by content type:

• All constructs

• All files

• All molecules

• All molecule architectures

• All notebooks

• All parts

• All templates

Runs

View history of:

• Simulations

• Codon optimizations

• Other computational runs

Editor

Direct access to the construct editor for quick sequence work.

Tools

Access specialized tools in the Toolbox:

• Codon optimizer

• Antibody informatics

• Assembly design automator

• SecureDNA biosecurity scanner

Kernel AI

AI assistant for genetic design questions and navigation.

Settings

Configure account and workspace preferences.

Construct Editor

The construct editor is where you design genetic sequences. It has three main areas:

Top: Schematic View

A visual representation of your construct showing:

• Parts as symbols arranged linearly

• Part names angled above each symbol

• Color-coded part types

Middle: Sequence View

The DNA sequence display showing:

• Nucleotide sequence with position markers

• Annotations as colored bars below the sequence

• Selection highlighting

Bottom: View Tabs

Switch between visualization modes:

• Sequence viewer: Linear sequence with annotations

• Circular map: Plasmid map for circular constructs

Construct Editor with Circular Map

Right Sidebar Tools

The construct editor's right sidebar provides design tools:

Tool	Function
Info	View and edit construct metadata
Search	Find sequences within the construct
Part match	Identify parts that match your sequence
AI	Get AI assistance with your design
Sim.	Run genetic simulations
CO	Codon optimization
Cut sites	Analyze restriction enzyme sites
History	View revision history

Repository Browser

When viewing a repository:

• Breadcrumb navigation: Shows your location (All repositories / Repo name / Folder)

• Share button: Manage repository sharing

• Settings: Repository configuration

• Search: Find items within the repository

• Filter dropdowns: Entity types, created by

• View toggles: Pivot view, column view

Repository Browser

Search

Global search (in the header) finds content across your workspace:

1. Click the search bar or press Cmd/Ctrl + K

2. Type your query

3. Use arrow keys to navigate results

4. Press Enter to open a result

Filter results by type using the dropdown menus.

Search Interface

Keyboard Shortcuts

Common keyboard shortcuts:

Shortcut	Action
Cmd/Ctrl + K	Open search
Esc	Close dialogs
Cmd/Ctrl + Z	Undo
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z	Redo

Next Steps

• Quick Start Guide — Create your first construct

• Creating Constructs — Detailed design guide

• Using Kernel AI — Get AI assistance