# How to set up control nodes to make widget properties available to a control app Control nodes expose widgets in a composition to a control application or the Singular APIs so that you can dynamically update them without having to go into the composition itself. In this guide, you'll learn how to create control nodes in the [data interface and control panel](#how-to-create-a-control-node-with-the-data-interface-and-control-panel) and in the [node link browser](#how-to-create-a-control-node-with-the-node-link-browser). The examples show a control node being made for a text widget, but you can also create control nodes for various other types of widgets. {% hint style="info" %} To follow this guide, you'll need a composition. If you don't have one, first learn [how to build a composition](/singular-basics/building-overlays-in-composer/how-to-build-a-composition.md) or [extract a composition from a Singular template](/singular-basics/managing-overlays-in-the-dashboard/how-to-extract-a-composition-from-an-app.md). {% endhint %} ## How to create a control node in the data interface and control panel 1. Open a composition in Composer. 2. Navigate to the data interface and control panel and select **Text** from the drop-down menu. 3. Name the control node in **Field name**.

4. In the composition tree, select a widget to connect to the control node. (You might need to click into a group or sub-composition to find the widget.)

Selecting a widget to connect to the control node

5. In the property panel, select the text tab and click **Text** just under it. The link browser will appear. 6. In the link browser, select the name of the control node you just created.

7. Back in the data interface and control panel, you can change the text for the control node.

Finding a new control node in the data interface and control panel

## How to create a control node with the node link browser 1. Open a composition in Composer. 2. Navigate to the composition tree and select a text widget. (You might need to click into a sub-composition or group to see the widgets.)

Selecting a text widget from the composition tree

3. In the property panel, select the text tab and click **Text** just under it. The link browser will appear. 4. In the link browser, name the control node in the text field and select **Add**.

5. Navigate to the data interface and control panel and find the control node that you just created. 6. In the text field to the right of the control node name, you can change the text.

--- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://developer.singular.live/singular-basics/building-overlays-in-composer/how-to-set-up-control-nodes-to-make-widget-properties-available-to-a-control-app.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.