Mind maps are a powerful way to organize information visually, helping you break down complex ideas into manageable, hierarchical topics. In Mermaid.js, you can create mind maps using a straightforward syntax that emphasizes indentation to represent parent-child relationships. Each node in a mind map can branch out into subtopics, making it easy to visualize the structure of your thoughts or plans.

To start a mind map in Mermaid, use the mindmap keyword at the beginning of your diagram block. The top-level node is written first, followed by its children, each indented beneath their parent. Additional indentation creates deeper levels, allowing for richly nested diagrams. This structure makes it intuitive to represent anything from brainstorming sessions to project outlines.

To expand your mind maps, simply add more lines with greater indentation to introduce new child nodes under any topic. This indentation-based approach keeps your diagrams readable and flexible, allowing you to quickly reorganize ideas as your structure grows. Mermaid also supports basic styling for mind maps, such as customizing node text with bold or italic formatting using markdown-style syntax (for example, using **bold** for bold text). You can apply colors and icons with advanced Mermaid options, but the core structure always relies on indentation to show hierarchy. Keeping your syntax clean and consistently indented will ensure your mind maps remain clear and effective as your diagrams become more complex.