> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cortex.aic.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cortex.aic.io/getting-started/navigation.md).

# Navigation

CORTEX shows pages for your current organisation, selected workspace, enabled features, and permissions. Each page checks your access to its records and their handling. Start with the menu item name. The screen heading can use a more specific name. For example, **Intelligence cycle** → **Products** opens **Product drafts**.

## Use the sidebar

The sidebar has these groups:

| Group                       | What you can find there                                                                           |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Operations & workspaces** | The overview, workspace choice, mission views, workload, and handovers.                           |
| **Intelligence cycle**      | Direction, Collection, Analyse, Products, and Feedback, in work order.                            |
| **Sources & evidence**      | News, decision briefs, sources, authority, reports, memory, graph, and map.                       |
| **Release & sharing**       | Derivatives, controlled releases, UK agreements, UK packages, and received packages.              |
| **Assurance & governance**  | Activity, protection, preservation, custody, source register, privacy, AI, rights, and incidents. |
| **Police operations**       | Police tasking, control strategies, and protective risks.                                         |
| **Defence & futures**       | Defence context and futures work inside an analytical workspace.                                  |
| **People & settings**       | Workspace and user settings, personnel evidence, appointments, organisation and node settings.    |
| **Help & node**             | The user guide and node capability information.                                                   |

Select a group name to expand it. Select a page name to open it. CORTEX opens **Operations & workspaces**, **Intelligence cycle**, and the group for your current page by default. On a narrow screen, select **Workspace navigation** first.

The [full menu map](file:///7397340/reference/menu-map.md) lists every menu item, its route, and its screen heading. You can use it as a checklist during a research session.

## Find a page from the sidebar

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Select the page finder

Select the field that says **Find a page or area** at the top of the sidebar.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Search for a page or group

Type part of a page name or group name. For example, type “release” or “people”.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open the result

Select the result you need.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Restore the full menu

To show the full menu again, select **Clear navigation search** or clear the field.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

This search filters page names and menu groups. It does not search requirements, source material, products, or other records. If the message says **No matching pages. Try a feature name.**, try a shorter term. A page that your current access does not expose will not appear in the result.

## Use Go to

**Go to** appears in the header after you sign in. It opens a page finder without leaving the current page.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Go to

Select **Go to**. You can also use **Alt K** where your browser supports the access key.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Search for a page or group

Type a page name or group name in **Search pages or areas**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select a result

Select a result. With a keyboard, use the Up and Down arrow keys and then Enter.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Close the finder

Press Escape to close the finder without moving.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

The finder shows up to 12 matching pages at a time. It lists pages available for the current organisation and workspace. The destination checks your access again when it opens. A result in the finder is not an approval or a grant.

## Use the header

The header shows your organisation and the selected workspace. Select the workspace name to open **Choose workspace**. The connectivity badge opens the selected workspace's **Connectivity** section. If no workspace is selected, it opens **Node & capabilities**.

Use **Notifications** to open recent notices. Select **View all** for the full list. Reading a notice does not complete a task, approve work, or acknowledge a release. Select your name to open **My profile**, where you can edit the name shown with your work. Select **Sign out** when you finish. The **Appearance** control changes only the screen theme.

The footer has **Field guide**, which opens **Help & user guide**. You can use this guide when Internet access is unavailable, because the guidance is part of CORTEX.

## Use a Tasks menu

Some pages put several actions under **Tasks** beside the screen heading. Select **Tasks**, then select the named action. For example:

* On **Collection**, select **Tasks** → **Create collection plan** or **Plan across requirements**.
* On a record page, select **Tasks** to find related review, edit, or follow-on actions that your current access permits.

If an action is absent, check the selected workspace and the current record state. Ask the responsible Manager or reviewer to check your permission. A visible action still checks the latest record version and your access when you use it.

## Search records inside a page

A page search is different from the menu search. For example, **Find requirements** searches Direction records, **Search reports** searches intelligence reports, and **Find product drafts** searches products. Enter a term and select that page's **Find**, **Search**, or **Apply filters** button. An edited filter does not change the current results until you submit it.

A result list shows records that you can see in the selected workspace and handling scope. **Previous** and **Next** move through the last submitted search. An empty list does not prove that no record exists outside your access. If a page reports an error, use its help link or retry control before you treat the result as empty.

## Move between sections of a record

Many detail pages use tabs for related sections and retained history. Select the tab you need. With a keyboard, use Left or Right to move between tabs. Home selects the first tab. End selects the last tab. A section tab changes what you see; it does not save a draft or change the record.

Open a **Context and setup**, **Evidence, blockers and next action**, or **Retained history** disclosure to see more detail. A disclosure changes only the view. A button labelled **Save**, **Retain**, **Approve**, **Publish**, or **Acknowledge** can change a retained record. Read the review screen and the stated effect before you select it.

## If a page or action is missing

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Check the selected workspace

Check the workspace name in the header. Select **Choose workspace** if it is wrong.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Check workspace settings

Check **Workspace settings** → **Operating profile and features** if you can read that workspace's settings. A Manager can change its presentation choices.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Check the task state

Check the task's current state. Some actions appear only after a prior step is complete.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Check access

Ask a workspace Manager or authorised administrator to check your membership, permission, handling, and expiry.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Check node capability

If the screen says a node capability is disabled, use **Help & node** → **Node & capabilities** or ask the node operator.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

CORTEX can hide a menu item because the feature, node policy, or your access does not permit it. A direct address does not bypass those checks. Do not treat a missing menu item, an empty result, and an unavailable page as the same condition.