# Mentions

Source: https://docs.arcweave.com/project-tools/mentions
Section: Project Tools
Description: Mention components and boards in rich text to link them, and create new components directly from a mention

Mentions are **links to components and boards** within your Arcweave project.

![Example of mentioning a component by typing the @ character followed by a few letters of the component's name. A list opens, from which the user can choose an existing component or create a new one.](https://docs.arcweave.com/assets/mentions-overview.BgVMv8af.jpg)

You can insert mentions while typing in the following fields:

- Title or content of [elements](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/elements)
- [Notes](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/notes)
- [Rich text attributes](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/attributes)
- [Connection labels](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/labels)

In the board, component mentions appear as **orange text** and board mentions as **gold text**.

> ℹ️ Inside [Arcscript segments](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/arcscript#arcscript-segments) and [branch](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/branches) conditions, typing `@` lists **elements** instead, so you can use them as arguments of the [`visits` function](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/arcscript#visits).

> ℹ️ Mentions are not visually styled in Play Mode; they appear as regular text.

> ⚠️ Not to be confused with [user mentions in comments](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-items/comments#user-mentions).

## Benefits of mentions

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Tools > Mentions > Benefits of mentions

Mentions offer several advantages that improve project navigation and consistency:

- **Quick navigation**: Clicking on a mention instantly opens the referenced component or board.
- **Auto-updating**: If the referenced item is renamed, all related mentions are automatically updated.
- **Distraction-free writing**: You can [create and reference new components](https://docs.arcweave.com/project-tools/mentions#create-new-components) on the fly without breaking your writing flow.

## Create a mention

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Tools > Mentions > Create a mention

To mention an existing component or board:

1. While typing, type the **`@`** character.
2. Start typing the name of the component or board.
3. Click the correct item in the dropdown list, or move to it with the arrow keys and press **Enter**.

> ℹ️ The `@` character opens the list only at the start of a paragraph or after a space or an opening parenthesis `(`.

> ⚠️ The **Create "..."** option is highlighted first in the list. Pressing **Enter** without moving to another item creates a new component, even if an existing component matches your text.

![Animated GIF demonstrating how to mention an existing component.](https://docs.arcweave.com/assets/mention.DQykf4Hg.gif)

## Create new components

Context: Arcweave docs > Project Tools > Mentions > Create new components

Mentions also allow you to create new components as you write.

To create one, type `@` followed by the desired name and press **Enter**. Arcweave will automatically create and mention the new component without interrupting your writing flow.

> ⚠️ This method creates only components; not boards.

> ℹ️ To include spaces in the name, use underscores (`_`). For example, typing `@bronze_key` will create a component named **bronze key**.