diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/VisProg.module.css b/src/pages/VisProgPage/VisProg.module.css
index c58d0f3..8c6f70c 100644
--- a/src/pages/VisProgPage/VisProg.module.css
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/VisProg.module.css
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
 }
 
 .node-norm {
-    outline: forestgreen solid 2pt;
+    outline: rgb(0, 149, 25) solid 2pt;
     filter: drop-shadow(0 0 0.25rem forestgreen);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/VisProg.tsx b/src/pages/VisProgPage/VisProg.tsx
index 8208a70..17f4821 100644
--- a/src/pages/VisProgPage/VisProg.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/VisProg.tsx
@@ -8,30 +8,16 @@ import {
 } from '@xyflow/react';
 import '@xyflow/react/dist/style.css';
 import {useShallow} from 'zustand/react/shallow';
-
-import {
-  StartNodeComponent,
-  EndNodeComponent,
-  PhaseNodeComponent,
-  NormNodeComponent
-} from './visualProgrammingUI/components/NodeDefinitions.tsx';
 import {DndToolbar} from './visualProgrammingUI/components/DragDropSidebar.tsx';
-import graphReducer from "./visualProgrammingUI/GraphReducer.ts";
 import useFlowStore from './visualProgrammingUI/VisProgStores.tsx';
 import type {FlowState} from './visualProgrammingUI/VisProgTypes.tsx';
 import styles from './VisProg.module.css'
+import type { JSX } from 'react';
+import { NodeTypes } from './visualProgrammingUI/NodeRegistry.ts';
+import { graphReducer } from './visualProgrammingUI/GraphReducer.ts';
 
 // --| config starting params for flow |--
 
-/**
- * contains the types of all nodes that are available in the editor
- */
-const NODE_TYPES = {
-  start: StartNodeComponent,
-  end: EndNodeComponent,
-  phase: PhaseNodeComponent,
-  norm: NormNodeComponent
-};
 
 /**
  * defines how the default edge looks inside the editor
@@ -86,7 +72,7 @@ const VisProgUI = () => {
           nodes={nodes}
           edges={edges}
           defaultEdgeOptions={DEFAULT_EDGE_OPTIONS}
-          nodeTypes={NODE_TYPES}
+          nodeTypes={NodeTypes}
           onNodesChange={onNodesChange}
           onEdgesChange={onEdgesChange}
           onReconnect={onReconnect}
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/GraphReducer.ts b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/GraphReducer.ts
index 138eb82..ae846d7 100644
--- a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/GraphReducer.ts
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/GraphReducer.ts
@@ -1,188 +1,16 @@
-import {
-  type Edge,
-  getIncomers,
-  getOutgoers
-} from '@xyflow/react';
-import useFlowStore from "./VisProgStores.tsx";
-import type {
-  BehaviorProgram,
-  GoalData,
-  GoalReducer,
-  GraphPreprocessor,
-  NormData,
-  NormReducer,
-  OrderedPhases,
-  Phase,
-  PhaseReducer,
-  PreparedGraph,
-  PreparedPhase
-} from "./GraphReducerTypes.ts";
-import type {
-  AppNode,
-  GoalNode,
-  NormNode,
-  PhaseNode
-} from "./VisProgTypes.tsx";
+import useFlowStore from './VisProgStores';
+import { NodeReduces } from './NodeRegistry'
 
 /**
- * Reduces the current graph inside the visual programming editor into a BehaviorProgram
- *
- * @param {GraphPreprocessor} graphPreprocessor
- * @param {PhaseReducer} phaseReducer
- * @param {NormReducer} normReducer
- * @param {GoalReducer} goalReducer
- * @returns {BehaviorProgram}
+ * Reduces a graph by reducing each of its phases down
+ * @returns an array of the reduced data types.
  */
-export default function graphReducer(
-  graphPreprocessor: GraphPreprocessor = defaultGraphPreprocessor,
-  phaseReducer: PhaseReducer = defaultPhaseReducer,
-  normReducer: NormReducer = defaultNormReducer,
-  goalReducer: GoalReducer = defaultGoalReducer
-) : BehaviorProgram {
-  const nodes: AppNode[] = useFlowStore.getState().nodes;
-  const edges: Edge[] = useFlowStore.getState().edges;
-  const preparedGraph: PreparedGraph = graphPreprocessor(nodes, edges);
-
-  return preparedGraph.map((preparedPhase: PreparedPhase) : Phase =>
-    phaseReducer(
-      preparedPhase,
-      normReducer,
-      goalReducer
-    ));
-};
-
-/**
- * reduces a single preparedPhase to a Phase object
- * the Phase object describes a single phase in a BehaviorProgram
- *
- * @param {PreparedPhase} phase
- * @param {NormReducer} normReducer
- * @param {GoalReducer} goalReducer
- * @returns {Phase}
- */
-export function defaultPhaseReducer(
-  phase: PreparedPhase,
-  normReducer: NormReducer = defaultNormReducer,
-  goalReducer: GoalReducer = defaultGoalReducer
-) : Phase {
-  return {
-    id: phase.phaseNode.id,
-    name: phase.phaseNode.data.label,
-    nextPhaseId: phase.nextPhaseId,
-    phaseData: {
-      norms: phase.connectedNorms.map(normReducer),
-      goals: phase.connectedGoals.map(goalReducer)
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-/**
- * the default implementation of the goalNode reducer function
- *
- * @param {GoalNode} node
- * @returns {GoalData}
- */
-function defaultGoalReducer(node: GoalNode) : GoalData {
-  return {
-    id: node.id,
-    name: node.data.label,
-    value: node.data.value
-  }
-}
-
-/**
- * the default implementation of the normNode reducer function
- *
- * @param {NormNode} node
- * @returns {NormData}
- */
-function defaultNormReducer(node: NormNode) :NormData {
-  return {
-    id: node.id,
-    name: node.data.label,
-    value: node.data.value
-  }
-}
-
-// Graph preprocessing functions:
-
-/**
- * Preprocesses the provide state of the behavior editor graph, preparing it for further processing in
- * the graphReducer function
- *
- * @param {AppNode[]} nodes
- * @param {Edge[]} edges
- * @returns {PreparedGraph}
- */
-export function defaultGraphPreprocessor(nodes: AppNode[], edges: Edge[]) : PreparedGraph {
-  const norms : NormNode[] = nodes.filter((node) => node.type === 'norm') as NormNode[];
-  const goals : GoalNode[] = nodes.filter((node) => node.type === 'goal') as GoalNode[];
-  const orderedPhases : OrderedPhases = orderPhases(nodes, edges);
-
-  return orderedPhases.phaseNodes.map((phase: PhaseNode) : PreparedPhase => {
-    const nextPhase = orderedPhases.connections.get(phase.id);
-      return {
-        phaseNode: phase,
-        nextPhaseId: nextPhase as string,
-        connectedNorms: getIncomers({id: phase.id}, norms,edges),
-        connectedGoals: getIncomers({id: phase.id}, goals,edges)
-      };
+export function graphReducer() {
+  const { nodes } = useFlowStore.getState();
+  return nodes
+    .filter((n) => n.type == 'phase')
+    .map((n) => {
+      const reducer = NodeReduces['phase'];
+      return reducer(n, nodes)
     });
-}
-
-/**
- * orderPhases takes the state of the graph created by the editor and turns it into an OrderedPhases object.
- *
- * @param {AppNode[]} nodes
- * @param {Edge[]} edges
- * @returns {OrderedPhases}
- */
-export function orderPhases(nodes: AppNode[],edges: Edge[]) : OrderedPhases {
-  // find the first Phase node
-  const phaseNodes : PhaseNode[] = nodes.filter((node) => node.type === 'phase') as PhaseNode[];
-  const startNodeIndex = nodes.findIndex((node : AppNode):boolean  => {return (node.type === 'start');});
-  const firstPhaseNode = getOutgoers({ id: nodes[startNodeIndex].id },phaseNodes,edges);
-
-  // recursively adds the phase nodes to a list in the order they are connected in the graph
-  const nextPhase  = (
-    currentIndex: number,
-    { phaseNodes: phases, connections: connections} : OrderedPhases
-  ) : OrderedPhases => {
-    // get the current phase and the next phases;
-    const currentPhase = phases[currentIndex];
-    const nextPhaseNodes = getOutgoers(currentPhase,phaseNodes,edges);
-    const nextNodes = getOutgoers(currentPhase,nodes, edges);
-
-    // handles adding of the next phase to the chain, and error handle if an invalid state is received
-    if (nextPhaseNodes.length === 1 && nextNodes.length === 1) {
-      connections.set(currentPhase.id, nextPhaseNodes[0].id);
-      return nextPhase(phases.push(nextPhaseNodes[0] as PhaseNode) - 1, {phaseNodes: phases, connections: connections});
-    } else {
-      // handle erroneous states
-      if (nextNodes.length === 0){
-        throw new Error(`| INVALID PROGRAM | the source handle of "${currentPhase.id}" doesn't have any outgoing connections`);
-      } else {
-        if (nextNodes.length > 1) {
-          throw new Error(`| INVALID PROGRAM | the source handle of "${currentPhase.id}" connects to too many targets`);
-        } else {
-          if (nextNodes[0].type === "end"){
-            connections.set(currentPhase.id, "end");
-            // returns the final output of the function
-            return { phaseNodes: phases, connections: connections};
-          } else {
-            throw new Error(`| INVALID PROGRAM | the node "${nextNodes[0].id}" that "${currentPhase.id}" connects to is not a phase or end node`);
-          }
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  }
-  // initializes the Map describing the connections between phase nodes
-  // we need this Map to make sure we preserve this information,
-  // so we don't need to do checks on the entire set of edges in further stages of the reduction algorithm
-  const connections : Map<string, string> = new Map();
-
-  // returns an empty list if no phase nodes are present, otherwise returns an ordered list of phaseNodes
-  if (firstPhaseNode.length > 0) {
-      return nextPhase(0, {phaseNodes: [firstPhaseNode[0] as PhaseNode], connections: connections})
-  } else { return {phaseNodes: [], connections: connections} }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/GraphReducerTypes.ts b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/GraphReducerTypes.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 9151b56..0000000
--- a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/GraphReducerTypes.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,106 +0,0 @@
-import type {Edge} from "@xyflow/react";
-import type {AppNode, GoalNode, NormNode, PhaseNode} from "./VisProgTypes.tsx";
-
-
-/**
- * defines how a norm is represented in the simplified behavior program
-  */
-export type NormData = {
-  id: string;
-  name: string;
-  value: string;
-};
-
-/**
- * defines how a goal is represented in the simplified behavior program
- */
-export type GoalData = {
-  id: string;
-  name: string;
-  value: string;
-};
-
-/**
- * definition of a PhaseData object, it contains all phaseData that is relevant
- * for further processing and execution of a phase.
- */
-export type PhaseData = {
-  norms: NormData[];
-  goals: GoalData[];
-};
-
-/**
- * Describes a single phase within the simplified representation of a behavior program,
- *
- * Contains:
- * - the id of the described phase,
- * - the name of the described phase,
- * - the id of the next phase in the user defined behavior program
- * - the data property of the described phase node
- *
- * @NOTE at the moment the type definitions do not support branching programs,
- * if branching of phases is to be supported in the future, the type definition for Phase has to be updated
- */
-export type Phase = {
-  id: string;
-  name: string;
-  nextPhaseId: string;
-  phaseData: PhaseData;
-};
-
-/**
- * Describes a simplified behavior program as a list of Phase objects
- */
-export type BehaviorProgram = Phase[];
-
-
-
-export type NormReducer = (node: NormNode) => NormData;
-export type GoalReducer = (node: GoalNode) => GoalData;
-export type PhaseReducer = (
-  preparedPhase: PreparedPhase,
-  normReducer: NormReducer,
-  goalReducer: GoalReducer
-) => Phase;
-
-/**
- * contains:
- *
- * - list of phases, sorted based on position in chain between the start and end node
- * - a dictionary containing all outgoing connections,
- * to other phase or end nodes, for each phase node uses the id of the source node as key
- * and the id of the target node as value
- *
- */
-export type OrderedPhases = {
-  phaseNodes: PhaseNode[];
-  connections: Map<string, string>;
-};
-
-/**
- * A single prepared phase,
- * contains:
- * - the described phaseNode,
- * - the id of the next phaseNode or "end" for the end node
- * - a list of the normNodes that are connected to the described phase
- * - a list of the goalNodes that are connected to the described phase
- */
-export type PreparedPhase = {
-  phaseNode: PhaseNode;
-  nextPhaseId: string;
-  connectedNorms: NormNode[];
-  connectedGoals: GoalNode[];
-};
-
-/**
- * a list of PreparedPhase objects,
- * describes the preprocessed state of a program,
- * before the contents of the node
- */
-export type PreparedGraph = PreparedPhase[];
-
-export type GraphPreprocessor = (nodes: AppNode[], edges: Edge[]) => PreparedGraph;
-
-
-
-
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/NodeRegistry.ts b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/NodeRegistry.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12202f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/NodeRegistry.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import StartNode, { StartConnects, StartNodeDefaults, StartReduce } from "./nodes/StartNode";
+import EndNode, { EndConnects, EndNodeDefaults, EndReduce } from "./nodes/EndNode";
+import PhaseNode, { PhaseConnects, PhaseNodeDefaults, PhaseReduce } from "./nodes/PhaseNode";
+import NormNode, { NormConnects, NormNodeDefaults, NormReduce } from "./nodes/NormNode";
+
+export const NodeTypes = {
+  start: StartNode,
+  end: EndNode,
+  phase: PhaseNode,
+  norm: NormNode,
+};
+
+// Default node data for creation 
+export const NodeDefaults = {
+  start: StartNodeDefaults,
+  end: EndNodeDefaults,
+  phase: PhaseNodeDefaults,
+  norm: NormNodeDefaults,
+};
+
+export const NodeReduces = {
+  start: StartReduce,
+  end: EndReduce,
+  phase: PhaseReduce,
+  norm: NormReduce,
+}
+
+export const NodeConnects = {
+  start: StartConnects,
+  end: EndConnects,
+  phase: PhaseConnects,
+  norm: NormConnects,
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/VisProgStores.tsx b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/VisProgStores.tsx
index 300c14b..1368d5d 100644
--- a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/VisProgStores.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/VisProgStores.tsx
@@ -1,142 +1,127 @@
-import {create} from 'zustand';
+import { create } from 'zustand';
 import {
   applyNodeChanges,
   applyEdgeChanges,
   addEdge,
-  reconnectEdge, type Edge, type Connection
+  reconnectEdge,
+  type Node,
+  type Edge,
+  type NodeChange,
+  type XYPosition,
 } from '@xyflow/react';
+import type { FlowState, AppNode } from './VisProgTypes';
+import { NodeDefaults, NodeConnects } from './NodeRegistry';
 
-import {type AppNode, type FlowState} from './VisProgTypes.tsx';
 
 /**
- * contains the nodes that are created when the editor is loaded,
- * should contain at least a start and an end node
+ * Create a node given the correct data
+ * @param type
+ * @param id 
+ * @param position
+ * @param data
+ * @constructor
  */
-const initialNodes = [
-  {
-    id: 'start',
-    type: 'start',
-    position: {x: 0, y: 0},
-    data: {label: 'start'}
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'phase-1',
-    type: 'phase',
-    position: {x: 0, y: 150},
-    data: {label: 'Generic Phase', number: 1},
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'end',
-    type: 'end',
-    position: {x: 0, y: 300},
-    data: {label: 'End'}
+function createNode(id: string, type: string, position: XYPosition, data: any) {
+
+  const defaultData = Object.entries(NodeDefaults).find(([t, _]) => t == type)?.[1] 
+  const newData = {
+      id: id,
+      type: type,
+      position: position,
+      data: data,
   }
+
+  return (defaultData == undefined) ? newData : ({...defaultData, ...newData})
+}
+
+//* Initial nodes, created by using createNodeInstance. */
+const initialNodes : Node[] = [
+    createNode('start', 'start', {x: 100, y: 100}, {label: "Start"}),
+    createNode('end', 'end', {x: 370, y: 100}, {label: "End"}),
+    createNode('phase-1', 'phase',  {x:200, y:100}, {label: "Phase 1", children: ['end', 'start']}),
+    createNode('norms-1', 'norm',  {x:-200, y:100}, {label: "Initial Norms", normList: ["Be a robot", "get good"]}),     
 ];
 
-/**
- * contains the initial edges that are created when the editor is loaded
- */
-const initialEdges = [
-  {
-    id: 'start-phase-1',
-    source: 'start',
-    target: 'phase-1',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'phase-1-end',
-    source: 'phase-1',
-    target: 'end',
-  }
+// * Initial edges * /
+const initialEdges: Edge[] = [
+  { id: 'start-phase-1', source: 'start', target: 'phase-1' },
+  { id: 'phase-1-end', source: 'phase-1', target: 'end' },
 ];
 
-/**
- * The useFlowStore hook contains the implementation for editor functionality and state
- * we can use this inside our editor component to access the current state
- * and use any implemented functionality
- */
 const useFlowStore = create<FlowState>((set, get) => ({
   nodes: initialNodes,
   edges: initialEdges,
   edgeReconnectSuccessful: true,
-  onNodesChange: (changes) => {
-    set({
-      nodes: applyNodeChanges(changes, get().nodes)
-    });
-  },
-  onEdgesChange: (changes) => {
-    set({
-      edges: applyEdgeChanges(changes, get().edges)
-    });
-  },
-  // handles connection of newly created edges
+
+  onNodesChange: (changes) =>
+  set({nodes: applyNodeChanges(changes, get().nodes)}),
+  onEdgesChange: (changes) => set({ edges: applyEdgeChanges(changes, get().edges) }),
+
+  // Let's make sure we tell the nodes when they're connected, and how it matters.
   onConnect: (connection) => {
-    set({
-      edges: addEdge(connection, get().edges)
-    });
-  },
-  // handles attempted reconnections of a previously disconnected edge
-  onReconnect: (oldEdge: Edge, newConnection: Connection) => {
+  const edges = addEdge(connection, get().edges);
+  const nodes = get().nodes;
+  // connection has: { source, sourceHandle, target, targetHandle }
+  // Let's find the source and target ID's.
+  let sourceNode = nodes.find((n) => n.id == connection.source);
+  let targetNode = nodes.find((n) => n.id == connection.target);
+  
+  // In case the nodes weren't found, return basic functionality.
+  if (sourceNode == undefined || targetNode == undefined || sourceNode.type == undefined || targetNode.type == undefined) {
+    set({ nodes, edges });
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // We should find out how their data changes by calling their respective functions.
+  let sourceConnectFunction = Object.entries(NodeConnects).find(([t, _]) => t == sourceNode.type)?.[1]
+  let targetConnectFunction = Object.entries(NodeConnects).find(([t, _]) => t == targetNode.type)?.[1]
+  if (sourceConnectFunction == undefined || targetConnectFunction == undefined) {
+    set({ nodes, edges });
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // We're going to have to update their data based on how they want to update it.
+  sourceConnectFunction(sourceNode, targetNode, true)
+  targetConnectFunction(targetNode, sourceNode, false)
+  set({ nodes, edges });
+},
+
+  onReconnect: (oldEdge, newConnection) => {
     get().edgeReconnectSuccessful = true;
-    set({
-      edges: reconnectEdge(oldEdge, newConnection, get().edges)
-    });
+    set({ edges: reconnectEdge(oldEdge, newConnection, get().edges) });
   },
-  // Handles initiation of reconnection of edges that are manually disconnected from a node
-  onReconnectStart: () => {
-    set({
-      edgeReconnectSuccessful: false
-    });
-  },
-  // Drops the edge from the set of edges, removing it from the flow, if no successful reconnection occurred
-  onReconnectEnd: (_: unknown, edge: { id: string; }) => {
+
+  onReconnectStart: () => set({ edgeReconnectSuccessful: false }),
+  onReconnectEnd: (_evt, edge) => {
     if (!get().edgeReconnectSuccessful) {
-      set({
-        edges: get().edges.filter((e) => e.id !== edge.id),
-      });
+      set({ edges: get().edges.filter((e) => e.id !== edge.id) });
     }
-    set({
-      edgeReconnectSuccessful: true
-    });
+    set({ edgeReconnectSuccessful: true });
   },
-  deleteNode: (nodeId: string) => {
+
+  deleteNode: (nodeId) =>
     set({
       nodes: get().nodes.filter((n) => n.id !== nodeId),
-      edges: get().edges.filter((e) => e.source !== nodeId && e.target !== nodeId)
-    });
-  },
-  setNodes: (nodes) => {
-    set({nodes});
-  },
-  setEdges: (edges) => {
-    set({edges});
-  },
-/**
- * handles updating the data component of a node,
- * if the provided data object contains entries that aren't present in the updated node's data component
- * those entries are added to the data component,
- * entries that do exist within the node's data component,
- * are simply updated to contain the new value
- *
- * the data object
- * @param {string} nodeId
- * @param {object} data
- */
-  updateNodeData: (nodeId: string, data) => {
-    set({
-      nodes: get().nodes.map((node) : AppNode => {
-        if (node.id === nodeId) {
-          return {
-            ...node,
-            data: {
-              ...node.data,
-              ...data
-            }
-          };
-        } else { return node; }
-      })
-    });
-  }
-  }),
-);
+      edges: get().edges.filter((e) => e.source !== nodeId && e.target !== nodeId),
+    }),
 
-export default useFlowStore;
\ No newline at end of file
+  setNodes: (nodes) => set({ nodes }),
+  setEdges: (edges) => set({ edges }),
+
+  updateNodeData: (nodeId, data) => {
+    set({
+      nodes: get().nodes.map((node) => {
+        if (node.id === nodeId) {
+          node.data = { ...node.data, ...data };
+        }
+        return node;
+      }),
+    });
+  },
+
+  addNode: (node: Node) => {
+    set({ nodes: [...get().nodes, node] });
+  },
+}));
+
+export default useFlowStore;
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/VisProgTypes.tsx b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/VisProgTypes.tsx
index bb7c28c..6b98d6b 100644
--- a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/VisProgTypes.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/VisProgTypes.tsx
@@ -1,47 +1,24 @@
-import {
-  type Edge,
-  type Node,
-  type OnNodesChange,
-  type OnEdgesChange,
-  type OnConnect,
-  type OnReconnect,
-} from '@xyflow/react';
+// VisProgTypes.ts
+import type { Edge, OnNodesChange, OnEdgesChange, OnConnect, OnReconnect, Node } from '@xyflow/react';
+import type { NodeTypes } from './NodeRegistry';
 
+export type AppNode = typeof NodeTypes
 
-type defaultNodeData = {
-  label: string;
-};
-
-export type StartNode = Node<defaultNodeData, 'start'>;
-export type EndNode = Node<defaultNodeData, 'end'>;
-export type GoalNode = Node<defaultNodeData & { value: string; }, 'goal'>;
-export type NormNode = Node<defaultNodeData & { value: string; }, 'norm'>;
-export type PhaseNode = Node<defaultNodeData & { number: number; }, 'phase'>;
-
-
-/**
- * a type meant to house different node types, currently not used
- * but will allow us to more clearly define nodeTypes when we implement
- * computation of the Graph inside the ReactFlow editor
- */
-export type AppNode = Node | StartNode | EndNode | NormNode | GoalNode | PhaseNode;
-
-
-/**
- * The type for the Zustand store object used to manage the state of the ReactFlow editor
- */
 export type FlowState = {
-  nodes: AppNode[];
+  nodes: Node[];
   edges: Edge[];
   edgeReconnectSuccessful: boolean;
+
   onNodesChange: OnNodesChange;
   onEdgesChange: OnEdgesChange;
   onConnect: OnConnect;
   onReconnect: OnReconnect;
   onReconnectStart: () => void;
   onReconnectEnd: (_: unknown, edge: { id: string }) => void;
+
   deleteNode: (nodeId: string) => void;
-  setNodes: (nodes: AppNode[]) => void;
+  setNodes: (nodes: Node[]) => void;
   setEdges: (edges: Edge[]) => void;
   updateNodeData: (nodeId: string, data: object) => void;
+  addNode: (node: Node) => void;
 };
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/components/DragDropSidebar.tsx b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/components/DragDropSidebar.tsx
index c9e1496..f34bd00 100644
--- a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/components/DragDropSidebar.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/components/DragDropSidebar.tsx
@@ -1,19 +1,10 @@
-import {useDraggable} from '@neodrag/react';
-import {
-  useReactFlow,
-  type XYPosition
-} from '@xyflow/react';
-import {
-  type ReactNode,
-  useCallback,
-  useRef,
-  useState
-} from 'react';
-import useFlowStore from "../VisProgStores.tsx";
-import styles from "../../VisProg.module.css"
-import type {AppNode, PhaseNode, NormNode} from "../VisProgTypes.tsx";
-
-
+import { useDraggable } from '@neodrag/react';
+import { useReactFlow, type XYPosition } from '@xyflow/react';
+import { type ReactNode, useCallback, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import useFlowStore from '../VisProgStores';
+import styles from '../../VisProg.module.css';
+import type { AppNode } from '../VisProgTypes';
+import { NodeDefaults, type NodeTypes } from '../NodeRegistry'
 
 /**
  * DraggableNodeProps dictates the type properties of a DraggableNode
@@ -21,41 +12,28 @@ import type {AppNode, PhaseNode, NormNode} from "../VisProgTypes.tsx";
 interface DraggableNodeProps {
   className?: string;
   children: ReactNode;
-  nodeType: string;
-  onDrop: (nodeType: string, position: XYPosition) => void;
+  nodeType: keyof typeof NodeTypes;
+  onDrop: (nodeType: keyof typeof NodeTypes, position: XYPosition) => void;
 }
 
 /**
- * Definition of a node inside the drag and drop toolbar,
- * these nodes require an onDrop function to be supplied
- * that dictates how the node is created in the graph.
- *
- * @param className
- * @param children
- * @param nodeType
- * @param onDrop
- * @constructor
+ * Definition of a node inside the drag and drop toolbar.
+ * These nodes require an onDrop function that dictates
+ * how the node is created in the graph.
  */
-function DraggableNode({className, children, nodeType, onDrop}: DraggableNodeProps) {
+function DraggableNode({ className, children, nodeType, onDrop }: DraggableNodeProps) {
   const draggableRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
-  const [position, setPosition] = useState<XYPosition>({x: 0, y: 0});
+  const [position, setPosition] = useState<XYPosition>({ x: 0, y: 0 });
 
-  // @ts-expect-error comes from a package and doesn't appear to play nicely with strict typescript typing
+  // @ts-expect-error from the neodrag package — safe to ignore
   useDraggable(draggableRef, {
-    position: position,
-    onDrag: ({offsetX, offsetY}) => {
-      // Calculate position relative to the viewport
-      setPosition({
-        x: offsetX,
-        y: offsetY,
-      });
+    position,
+    onDrag: ({ offsetX, offsetY }) => {
+      setPosition({ x: offsetX, y: offsetY });
     },
-    onDragEnd: ({event}) => {
-      setPosition({x: 0, y: 0});
-      onDrop(nodeType, {
-        x: event.clientX,
-        y: event.clientY,
-      });
+    onDragEnd: ({ event }) => {
+      setPosition({ x: 0, y: 0 });
+      onDrop(nodeType, { x: event.clientX, y: event.clientY });
     },
   });
 
@@ -66,71 +44,49 @@ function DraggableNode({className, children, nodeType, onDrop}: DraggableNodePro
   );
 }
 
+/**
+ * addNode — adds a new node to the flow using the unified class-based system.
+ * Keeps numbering logic for phase/norm nodes.
+ */
+export function addNode(nodeType: keyof typeof NodeTypes, position: XYPosition) {
+  const { nodes, setNodes } = useFlowStore.getState();
+  const defaultData = NodeDefaults[nodeType]
 
-// eslint-disable-next-line react-refresh/only-export-components
-export function addNode(nodeType: string, position: XYPosition) {
-  const {setNodes} = useFlowStore.getState();
-  const nds : AppNode[] = useFlowStore.getState().nodes;
-  const newNode = () => {
-    switch (nodeType) {
-      case "phase":
-      {
-        const phaseNodes= nds.filter((node) => node.type === 'phase');
-        let phaseNumber;
-        if (phaseNodes.length > 0) {
-          const finalPhaseId : number = +(phaseNodes[phaseNodes.length - 1].id.split('-')[1]);
-          phaseNumber = finalPhaseId + 1;
-        } else {
-          phaseNumber = 1;
-        }
-        const phaseNode : PhaseNode = {
-          id: `phase-${phaseNumber}`,
-          type: nodeType,
-          position,
-          data: {label: 'new', number: phaseNumber},
-        }
-        return phaseNode;
-      }
-      case "norm":
-      {
-        const normNodes= nds.filter((node) => node.type === 'norm');
-        let normNumber
-        if (normNodes.length > 0) {
-          const finalNormId : number = +(normNodes[normNodes.length - 1].id.split('-')[1]);
-          normNumber = finalNormId + 1;
-        } else {
-          normNumber = 1;
-        }
+  if (!defaultData) throw new Error(`Node type '${nodeType}' not found in registry`);
 
-        const normNode : NormNode = {
-          id: `norm-${normNumber}`,
-          type: nodeType,
-          position,
-          data: {label: `new norm node`, value: "Pepper should be formal"},
-        }
-        return normNode;
-      }
-      default: {
-        throw new Error(`Node ${nodeType} not found`);
-      }
-    }
+  const sameTypeNodes = nodes.filter((node) => node.type === nodeType);
+  const nextNumber =
+    sameTypeNodes.length > 0
+      ? (() => {
+          const lastNode = sameTypeNodes[sameTypeNodes.length - 1];
+          const parts = lastNode.id.split('-');
+          const lastNum = Number(parts[1]);
+          return Number.isNaN(lastNum) ? sameTypeNodes.length + 1 : lastNum + 1;
+        })()
+      : 1;
+
+  const id = `${nodeType}-${nextNumber}`;
+  
+  let newNode = {
+    id: id,
+    type: nodeType,
+    position,
+    data: {...defaultData}
   }
-
-  setNodes(nds.concat(newNode()));
+    
+  console.log("Tried to add node");
+  setNodes([...nodes, newNode]);
 }
 
 /**
- * the DndToolbar defines how the drag and drop toolbar component works
- * and includes the default onDrop behavior through handleNodeDrop
- * @constructor
+ * DndToolbar defines how the drag and drop toolbar component works
+ * and includes the default onDrop behavior.
  */
 export function DndToolbar() {
-  const {screenToFlowPosition} = useReactFlow();
-  /**
-   * handleNodeDrop implements the default onDrop behavior
-   */
+  const { screenToFlowPosition } = useReactFlow();
+
   const handleNodeDrop = useCallback(
-    (nodeType: string, screenPosition: XYPosition) => {
+    (nodeType: keyof typeof NodeTypes, screenPosition: XYPosition) => {
       const flow = document.querySelector('.react-flow');
       const flowRect = flow?.getBoundingClientRect();
       const isInFlow =
@@ -140,7 +96,6 @@ export function DndToolbar() {
         screenPosition.y >= flowRect.top &&
         screenPosition.y <= flowRect.bottom;
 
-      // Create a new node and add it to the flow
       if (isInFlow) {
         const position = screenToFlowPosition(screenPosition);
         addNode(nodeType, position);
@@ -149,19 +104,35 @@ export function DndToolbar() {
     [screenToFlowPosition],
   );
 
+
+  const droppableNodes = Object.entries(NodeDefaults)
+  .filter(([_, data]) => data.droppable)
+  .map(([type, data]) => ({ 
+    type: type as DraggableNodeProps['nodeType'], 
+    data 
+  }));
+
+  
+
   return (
     <div className={`flex-col gap-lg padding-md ${styles.innerDndPanel}`}>
       <div className="description">
         You can drag these nodes to the pane to create new nodes.
       </div>
       <div className={`flex-row gap-lg ${styles.dndNodeContainer}`}>
-        <DraggableNode className={styles.draggableNodePhase} nodeType="phase" onDrop={handleNodeDrop}>
-          phase Node
-        </DraggableNode>
-        <DraggableNode className={styles.draggableNodeNorm} nodeType="norm" onDrop={handleNodeDrop}>
-          norm Node
-        </DraggableNode>
+        {
+          // Maps over all the nodes that are droppable, and puts them in the panel
+        }
+        {droppableNodes.map(({type, data}) => (
+          <DraggableNode
+            className={styles.nodeType}
+            nodeType={type}
+            onDrop={handleNodeDrop}
+          >
+            {data.label}
+          </DraggableNode>
+        ))}
       </div>
     </div>
   );
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/EndNode.tsx b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/EndNode.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a00ad4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/EndNode.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+import {
+  Handle,
+  type NodeProps,
+  Position,
+  type Connection,
+  type Edge,
+  useReactFlow,
+  type Node,
+} from '@xyflow/react';
+import { Toolbar } from './NodeDefinitions';
+import styles from '../../VisProg.module.css'; 
+
+export type EndNodeData = {
+  label: string;
+  droppable: Boolean;
+  hasReduce: Boolean;
+};
+
+
+export const EndNodeDefaults: EndNodeData = {
+  label: "End Node",
+  droppable: false,
+  hasReduce: true
+};
+
+export type EndNode = Node<EndNodeData>
+
+export function EndNodeCanConnect(connection: Connection | Edge): boolean {
+  // connection has: { source, sourceHandle, target, targetHandle }
+
+  // Example rules:
+  if (connection.source === connection.target) return false;
+
+
+  if (connection.targetHandle && !["a", "b"].includes(connection.targetHandle)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (connection.sourceHandle && connection.sourceHandle !== "result") {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // If all rules pass
+  return true;
+}
+
+export default function EndNode(props: NodeProps<Node>) {
+  const reactFlow = useReactFlow();
+  const label_input_id = `phase_${props.id}_label_input`;
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Toolbar nodeId={props.id} allowDelete={true}/>
+      <div className={`${styles.defaultNode} ${styles.nodeEnd}`}>
+        <div className={"flex-row gap-sm"}>
+        End
+        </div>
+        <Handle type="target" position={Position.Left} id="target"/>
+        <Handle type="target" position={Position.Bottom} id="norms"/>
+        <Handle type="source" position={Position.Right} id="source"/>
+      </div>
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
+export function EndReduce(node: Node, nodes: Node[]) {
+    return {
+    id: node.id
+    }
+}
+
+export function EndConnects(thisNode: Node, otherNode: Node, isThisSource: boolean) {
+  
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/components/NodeDefinitions.tsx b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/NodeDefinitions.tsx
similarity index 53%
rename from src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/components/NodeDefinitions.tsx
rename to src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/NodeDefinitions.tsx
index 19f56dd..5367dff 100644
--- a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/components/NodeDefinitions.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/NodeDefinitions.tsx
@@ -1,21 +1,10 @@
 import {
-  Handle,
-  type NodeProps,
-  NodeToolbar,
-  Position
-} from '@xyflow/react';
+  NodeToolbar} from '@xyflow/react';
 import '@xyflow/react/dist/style.css';
 import styles from '../../VisProg.module.css';
 import useFlowStore from "../VisProgStores.tsx";
-import type {
-  StartNode,
-  EndNode,
-  PhaseNode,
-  NormNode
-} from "../VisProgTypes.tsx";
 
 //Toolbar definitions
-
 type ToolbarProps = {
   nodeId: string;
   allowDelete: boolean;
@@ -45,7 +34,6 @@ export function Toolbar({nodeId, allowDelete}: ToolbarProps) {
 }
 
 // Renaming component
-
 /**
  * Adds a component that can be used to edit a node's label entry inside its Data
  * can be added to any custom node that has a label inside its Data
@@ -94,90 +82,3 @@ export function EditableName({nodeLabel = "new node", nodeId} : { nodeLabel : st
   )
 }
 
-
-// Definitions of Nodes
-
-/**
- * Start Node definition:
- *
- * @param {string} id
- * @param {defaultNodeData} data
- * @returns {React.JSX.Element}
- * @constructor
- */
-export const StartNodeComponent = ({id, data}: NodeProps<StartNode>) => {
-  return (
-    <>
-      <Toolbar nodeId={id} allowDelete={false}/>
-      <div className={`${styles.defaultNode} ${styles.nodeStart}`}>
-        <div> data test {data.label} </div>
-        <Handle type="source" position={Position.Right} id="start"/>
-      </div>
-    </>
-  );
-};
-
-
-/**
- * End node definition:
- *
- * @param {string} id
- * @param {defaultNodeData} data
- * @returns {React.JSX.Element}
- * @constructor
- */
-export const EndNodeComponent = ({id, data}: NodeProps<EndNode>) => {
-  return (
-    <>
-      <Toolbar nodeId={id} allowDelete={false}/>
-      <div className={`${styles.defaultNode} ${styles.nodeEnd}`}>
-        <div> {data.label} </div>
-        <Handle type="target" position={Position.Left} id="end"/>
-      </div>
-    </>
-  );
-};
-
-
-/**
- * Phase node definition:
- *
- * @param {string} id
- * @param {defaultNodeData & {number: number}} data
- * @returns {React.JSX.Element}
- * @constructor
- */
-export const PhaseNodeComponent = ({id, data}: NodeProps<PhaseNode>) => {
-  return (
-    <>
-      <Toolbar nodeId={id} allowDelete={true}/>
-      <div className={`${styles.defaultNode} ${styles.nodePhase}`}>
-        <EditableName nodeLabel={data.label} nodeId={id}/>
-        <Handle type="target" position={Position.Left} id="target"/>
-        <Handle type="target" position={Position.Bottom} id="norms"/>
-        <Handle type="source" position={Position.Right} id="source"/>
-      </div>
-    </>
-  );
-};
-
-
-/**
- * Norm node definition:
- *
- * @param {string} id
- * @param {defaultNodeData & {value: string}} data
- * @returns {React.JSX.Element}
- * @constructor
- */
-export const NormNodeComponent = ({id, data}: NodeProps<NormNode>) => {
-  return (
-    <>
-      <Toolbar nodeId={id} allowDelete={true}/>
-      <div className={`${styles.defaultNode} ${styles.nodeNorm}`}>
-        <EditableName nodeLabel={data.label} nodeId={id}/>
-        <Handle type="source" position={Position.Right} id="NormSource"/>
-      </div>
-    </>
-  );
-};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/NormNode.tsx b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/NormNode.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eefbfe6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/NormNode.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+import {
+  Handle,
+  type NodeProps,
+  Position,
+  type Connection,
+  type Edge,
+  useReactFlow,
+  type Node,
+} from '@xyflow/react';
+import { Toolbar } from './NodeDefinitions';
+import styles from '../../VisProg.module.css';
+import { NodeDefaults, NodeReduces } from '../NodeRegistry';
+import type { FlowState } from '../VisProgTypes';
+
+/**
+ * The default data dot a Norm node
+ * @param label: the label of this Norm
+ * @param droppable: whether this node is droppable from the drop bar (initialized as true)
+ * @param children: ID's of children of this node
+ */
+export type NormNodeData = {
+  label: string;
+  droppable: boolean;
+  normList: string[];
+  hasReduce: boolean;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Default data for this node
+ */
+export const NormNodeDefaults: NormNodeData = {
+  label: "Norm Node",
+  droppable: true,
+  normList: [],
+  hasReduce: true,
+};
+
+export type NormNode = Node<NormNodeData>
+
+/**
+ * 
+ * @param connection 
+ * @returns 
+ */
+export function NormNodeCanConnect(connection: Connection | Edge): boolean {
+  return true;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Defines how a Norm node should be rendered
+ * @param props NodeProps, like id, label, children
+ * @returns React.JSX.Element
+ */
+export default function NormNode(props: NodeProps<Node>) {
+  const reactFlow = useReactFlow();
+  const label_input_id = `Norm_${props.id}_label_input`;
+  const data = props.data as NormNodeData;
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Toolbar nodeId={props.id} allowDelete={true}/>
+      <div className={`${styles.defaultNode} ${styles.nodeNorm}`}>
+        <div className={"flex-row gap-sm"}>
+          <label htmlFor={label_input_id}></label>
+          {props.data.label as string}
+        </div>
+        {data.normList.map((norm) => (<div>{norm}</div>))}
+        <Handle type="target" position={Position.Right} id="phase"/>
+      </div>
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
+/**
+ * Reduces each Norm, including its children down into its relevant data.
+ * @param props: The Node Properties of this node.
+ */
+export function NormReduce(node: Node, nodes: Node[]) {
+  const data = node.data as NormNodeData;
+    return {
+      label: data.label,
+      list: data.normList,
+    }
+}
+
+export function NormConnects(thisNode: Node, otherNode: Node, isThisSource: boolean) {
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/PhaseNode.tsx b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/PhaseNode.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ed9218
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/PhaseNode.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+import {
+  Handle,
+  type NodeProps,
+  Position,
+  type Connection,
+  type Edge,
+  useReactFlow,
+  type Node,
+} from '@xyflow/react';
+import { Toolbar } from './NodeDefinitions';
+import styles from '../../VisProg.module.css';
+import { NodeDefaults, NodeReduces } from '../NodeRegistry';
+import type { FlowState } from '../VisProgTypes';
+
+/**
+ * The default data dot a phase node
+ * @param label: the label of this phase
+ * @param droppable: whether this node is droppable from the drop bar (initialized as true)
+ * @param children: ID's of children of this node
+ */
+export type PhaseNodeData = {
+  label: string;
+  droppable: boolean;
+  children: string[];
+  hasReduce: boolean;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Default data for this node
+ */
+export const PhaseNodeDefaults: PhaseNodeData = {
+  label: "Phase Node",
+  droppable: true,
+  children: [],
+  hasReduce: true,
+};
+
+export type PhaseNode = Node<PhaseNodeData>
+
+/**
+ * 
+ * @param connection 
+ * @returns 
+ */
+export function PhaseNodeCanConnect(connection: Connection | Edge): boolean {
+  return true;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Defines how a phase node should be rendered
+ * @param props NodeProps, like id, label, children
+ * @returns React.JSX.Element
+ */
+export default function PhaseNode(props: NodeProps<Node>) {
+  const reactFlow = useReactFlow();
+  const label_input_id = `phase_${props.id}_label_input`;
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Toolbar nodeId={props.id} allowDelete={true}/>
+      <div className={`${styles.defaultNode} ${styles.nodePhase}`}>
+        <div className={"flex-row gap-sm"}>
+          <label htmlFor={label_input_id}></label>
+          {props.data.label as string}
+        </div>
+        <Handle type="target" position={Position.Left} id="target"/>
+        <Handle type="source" position={Position.Right} id="source"/>
+        <Handle type="source" position={Position.Bottom} id="norms"/>
+      </div>
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
+/**
+ * Reduces each phase, including its children down into its relevant data.
+ * @param props: The Node Properties of this node.
+ */
+export function PhaseReduce(node: Node, nodes: Node[]) {
+    const thisnode = node as PhaseNode;
+    const data = thisnode.data as PhaseNodeData;
+    const reducableChildren = Object.entries(NodeDefaults)
+              .filter(([_, data]) => data.hasReduce)
+              .map(([type, _]) => ( 
+                type
+              ));
+
+    let childrenData: any = ""
+    if (data.children != undefined) {
+    childrenData = data.children.map((childId) => {
+            // Reduce each of this phases' children.
+            let child = nodes.find((node) => node.id == childId);
+            
+            // Make sure that we reduce only valid children nodes.
+            if (child == undefined || child.type == undefined || !reducableChildren.includes(child.type)) return ''
+            const reducer = NodeReduces[child.type as keyof typeof NodeReduces]
+
+            if (!reducer) {
+                console.warn(`No reducer found for node type ${child.type}`);
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            return reducer(child, nodes);
+        })}
+    return {
+        id: thisnode.id,
+        name: data.label as string,
+        children: childrenData,
+    }
+}
+
+export function PhaseConnects(thisNode: Node, otherNode: Node, isThisSource: boolean) {
+  console.log("Connect functionality called.")
+  let node = thisNode as PhaseNode
+  let data = node.data as PhaseNodeData
+  if (isThisSource)
+    data.children.push(otherNode.id)
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/StartNode.tsx b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/StartNode.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..51d0096
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/pages/VisProgPage/visualProgrammingUI/nodes/StartNode.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+import {
+  Handle,
+  type NodeProps,
+  Position,
+  type Connection,
+  type Edge,
+  useReactFlow,
+  type Node,
+} from '@xyflow/react';
+import { Toolbar } from './NodeDefinitions';
+import styles from '../../VisProg.module.css';
+
+/* ---------------------------------------------------------
+ * 1. THE DATA SHAPE FOR THIS NODE TYPE
+ * -------------------------------------------------------*/
+export type StartNodeData = {
+  label: string;
+  droppable: boolean;
+  hasReduce: boolean;
+};
+
+/* ---------------------------------------------------------
+ * 2. DEFAULT DATA FOR NEW INSTANCES OF THIS NODE
+ * -------------------------------------------------------*/
+export const StartNodeDefaults: StartNodeData = {
+  label: "Start Node",
+  droppable: false,
+  hasReduce: true,
+};
+
+export type StartNode = Node<StartNodeData>
+
+/* ---------------------------------------------------------
+ * 3. CUSTOM CONNECTION LOGIC FOR THIS NODE
+ * -------------------------------------------------------*/
+export function startNodeCanConnect(connection: Connection | Edge): boolean {
+  // connection has: { source, sourceHandle, target, targetHandle }
+
+  // Example rules:
+
+  // ❌ Cannot connect to itself
+  if (connection.source === connection.target) return false;
+
+  // ❌ Only allow incoming connections on input slots "a" or "b"
+  if (connection.targetHandle && !["a", "b"].includes(connection.targetHandle)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // ❌ Only allow outgoing connections from "result"
+  if (connection.sourceHandle && connection.sourceHandle !== "result") {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // If all rules pass
+  return true;
+}
+
+/* ---------------------------------------------------------
+ * 4. OPTIONAL: Node execution logic
+ * If your system evaluates nodes, this is where that lives.
+ * -------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+
+/* ---------------------------------------------------------
+ * 5. THE NODE COMPONENT (UI)
+ * -------------------------------------------------------*/
+export default function StartNode(props: NodeProps<Node>) {
+  const reactFlow = useReactFlow();
+  const label_input_id = `phase_${props.id}_label_input`;
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Toolbar nodeId={props.id} allowDelete={true}/>
+      <div className={`${styles.defaultNode} ${styles.nodeStart}`}>
+        <div className={"flex-row gap-sm"}>
+          Start
+        </div>
+        <Handle type="target" position={Position.Left} id="target"/>
+        <Handle type="target" position={Position.Bottom} id="norms"/>
+        <Handle type="source" position={Position.Right} id="source"/>
+      </div>
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
+export function StartReduce(node: Node, nodes: Node[]) {
+    return {
+    id: node.id
+    }
+}
+
+export function StartConnects(thisNode: Node, otherNode: Node, isThisSource: boolean) {
+  
+}
\ No newline at end of file