> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.glidepathcpm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Navigate the Interface

> Tour of GlidePath's main views and navigation controls

# Navigate the Interface

This guide introduces the GlidePath interface layout and shows you how to access the main views: Gantt Chart, Dashboard, Look-Ahead, and Risk Register.

## Feature Spec Reference

**Module 6 — Gantt View**\
**Module 1.5 — Project Switcher**

## Main Application Layout

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/glide-path/assets/screenshots/01-04-full-glidepath-application-window.png" alt="Full GlidePath Application Window" />

*The complete GlidePath interface with all main navigation elements labeled.*

### Top Header

* **GlidePath Logo** on the far left (click to return to home)
* **Active Project Name** in the center (shows which project you're currently viewing)
* **Project Switcher Dropdown** next to the project name (click to switch between your projects)
* **User Menu** on the far right (account settings, logout, preferences)

### Left Sidebar

The sidebar contains the main view tabs:

* **Gantt Chart** (default) — Timeline visualization with tasks, dependencies, and critical path
* **Dashboard** — Overview widgets: project summary, task status, risk summary, look-ahead
* **Look-Ahead** — Next 2–4 weeks of upcoming tasks with alerts and conflicts
* **Risk Register** — Identify and track project risks
* **Settings** (gear icon) — Project settings and administration

Click any tab to switch views. The active tab is highlighted.

### Main Content Area

The center of the screen displays the current view (Gantt chart, dashboard, etc.). This is where you do most of your work.

### Toolbar (View-Dependent)

Depending on which view you're in, the toolbar at the top of the main content area offers different controls:

* **+ Add Task** (Gantt Chart) — Create a new task
* **Zoom Controls** (Gantt Chart) — Zoom in/out or fit to window
* **Filter Controls** (Look-Ahead, Risk Register) — Filter by date range, status, etc.

***

## The Four Main Views

### 1. Gantt Chart

The Gantt Chart is your primary scheduling view. It shows:

* **Task List** (left side): Tasks with WBS numbering, names, duration, start/finish dates, progress %, and constraint type
* **Timeline** (right side): Horizontal bars representing task duration, dependency lines connecting related tasks, and the critical path highlighted in red
* **Today Line**: A vertical line marking today's date
* **Summary Tasks**: Parent bars showing rollup of child task dates
* **Milestones**: Diamond-shaped bars (zero duration)

**Use the Gantt Chart to:**

* Create and edit tasks
* Define and visualize dependencies
* See which tasks are critical
* Monitor progress with % complete
* Identify scheduling conflicts

### 2. Dashboard

The Dashboard provides a project snapshot with interactive widgets:

* **Project Summary**: Duration, target completion date, budget, Schedule Performance Index (SPI), Cost Performance Index (CPI)
* **Task Status**: Count of tasks by status (on track, at risk, behind schedule)
* **Risk Summary**: Count of risks by priority/status
* **Look-Ahead**: Upcoming tasks for the next 2–4 weeks
* **Financial Summary**: Budgeted vs. actual costs, earned value

**Use the Dashboard to:**

* Communicate project health to stakeholders
* Spot trends in task completion and risk status
* Monitor budget and schedule performance

### 3. Look-Ahead

The Look-Ahead Report shows upcoming work (next 2–4 weeks) with alerts for:

* Tasks starting soon
* Tasks with dependencies coming due
* Resource conflicts or over-allocations
* High-risk work ahead

**Use Look-Ahead to:**

* Plan for the next sprint or reporting period
* Identify and resolve conflicts before they impact work
* Communicate with field teams what's coming next

### 4. Risk Register

The Risk Register tracks identified project risks with:

* Risk description and category
* Probability and impact rating
* Risk status (identified, mitigated, closed)
* Linked mitigation tasks

**Use Risk Register to:**

* Identify and document project risks early
* Assess risk severity
* Track risk mitigation progress

***

## Project Switcher

If you manage multiple projects, use the **Project Switcher** dropdown to jump between them:

1. Click the project name in the header
2. Select another project from the dropdown list
3. GlidePath switches to that project's Gantt view

***

## Keyboard Shortcuts (Quick Reference)

| Shortcut       | Action                            |
| -------------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Insert**     | Create a new task (Gantt Chart)   |
| **Delete**     | Delete selected task              |
| **Tab**        | Indent task (increase hierarchy)  |
| **Shift+Tab**  | Outdent task (decrease hierarchy) |
| **Ctrl+Z**     | Undo                              |
| **Ctrl+Y**     | Redo                              |
| **Ctrl+C**     | Copy selected task(s)             |
| **Ctrl+V**     | Paste task(s)                     |
| **Arrow Keys** | Navigate task grid                |
| **Enter**      | Confirm edit                      |
| **Escape**     | Cancel edit                       |

For a complete list, see [Keyboard Shortcuts Reference](/reference/03-keyboard-shortcuts).

***

## Next Steps

Now that you know the layout:

1. [Create Your First Task](/gantt-basics/02-creating-tasks) — Start building your schedule
2. [Gantt Chart Overview](/gantt-basics/01-gantt-overview) — Learn the timeline visualization
3. [Create Dependencies](/dependencies/02-creating-dependencies) — Link tasks together

***

**Tip:** Spend a few minutes exploring each view. Click a widget on the Dashboard to drill down into details.