# Jumpers

Source: https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/jumpers
Section: Project Items
Description: Jumpers link to a target element on any board; use cases and how to create, select, and retarget jumpers

A jumper represents a link to an [element](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/elements) of the same project. Jumpers allow the connection of elements or [branches](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/branches) with other elements that are either far away or in different [boards](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/boards). Jumpers offer flexibility to your writing process and improve the readability of your project, allowing you to organize your story in small sections across multiple boards.

The element a jumper links to is called **target element**.

## Use cases

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Jumpers > Use cases

Consider the following use cases:

### Use multiple boards

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Jumpers > Use cases > Use multiple boards

Structure your narrative by organizing it into sequences, scenes, and dialogue trees.

Use [board folders](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/boards#board-folders) to group related sequences or acts, and create separate [boards](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/boards) for each scene or dialogue tree. This modular setup keeps your project organized and scalable—especially in complex or branching narratives.

Once your boards are set up, use jumpers to connect story elements between them.

### Restart the story

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Jumpers > Use cases > Restart the story

Let players restart the story by linking your ending elements back to the beginning. Use a jumper to connect the final node to the starting one—and don't forget to reset any relevant [variables](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/variables/overview)!

> ℹ️ Reset variables using the Arcscript functions `reset` and `resetAll`. See [Built-in functions](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/arcscript#built-in-functions).

![Example of using a jumper to restart the story. Various ending elements connect to the same Start jumper. Their connection labels contain calls to the resetAll function, which resets all story variables.](https://docs.arcweave.com/assets/jumper-restart.ivZhukXw.png)

### Create loops

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Jumpers > Use cases > Create loops

You can also use jumpers to create loops within a single board. For example, an element might connect to itself to increment a variable each time it's visited:

![Example of an element connecting to a jumper that has the element itself as a target.](https://docs.arcweave.com/assets/jumper-loop.CdidfJ3R.png)

## Create jumpers

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Jumpers > Create jumpers

To create a jumper, take any of the three following actions:

- **Right-click** on an empty area of the current board and select **Create > Jumper**.
- Drag and drop the **New jumper** icon from the bottom menu's left corner to an empty area of the board.
- Drop a connection end to an empty board area and select **Create jumper here**. (See [connections](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/connections).)

These methods create an **empty jumper**. For a jumper to work, you must [assign it a target element](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/jumpers#assign-jumper-targets).

## Select jumpers

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Jumpers > Select jumpers

Click a jumper to select it. To select multiple items, see [Select board items](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-tools/interface/mouse-actions#select-board-items).

## Copy a jumper link

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Jumpers > Copy a jumper link

With only the jumper selected, right-click it on the board and select **Copy link**. Opening the link centers the jumper itself on its board, rather than following its target element.

The link includes the current project language. See [Share an item or board position](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-tools/share#share-an-item-or-board-position) for access requirements.

## Delete jumpers

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Jumpers > Delete jumpers

To delete a jumper, do either of the following two:

- Select it and press the **Delete** or **Backspace** key.
- Right-click on it and select **Delete selection** from the menu.

## Assign jumper targets

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Jumpers > Assign jumper targets

To assign a target element to a jumper, do any of the following:

- Via **Copy/Paste**: this method is handy when you can easily access the target element in a board.
  - In the board, click on the element to **select** it.
  - Copy the element (either with **Ctrl/Cmd + C** or **right-click** and **Copy**).
  - Right-click your empty jumper (or an empty area of the board) and select **Paste as jumper** (or use the **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + V** shortcut).
- From the **Boards** section: use this method when you have located the target element in the left sidebar.
  - Go to the **Boards** section of the left sidebar.
  - Find the board where the target element is.
  - Expand the board by clicking on the drop-down arrow next to its icon.
  - Find the target element by its name.
  - Drag and drop the element into the empty jumper (or an empty area of the board).
- From the **Search** field: use this method if you have the target element in your search results.
  - Search and find the desired element.
  - From the search results, drag the element into an empty jumper (or an empty area of the board).

> ✅ Dragging an element from the **Boards** section or **Search** field, or pasting an element using **Paste as jumper** to an empty area of the board creates a jumper and assigns its target at the same time.

## Change jumper targets

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Items > Jumpers > Change jumper targets

To change a jumper's target, drag and drop the new target element into the jumper, using any of above methods.