---
title: "Create guided demos"
slug: "/help/demos/edit/guides/guided-demos"
last_updated: "2026-04-15T19:56:11Z"
zendesk_id: 32036279979283
zendesk_url: "https://help.walnut.io/hc/en-us/articles/32036279979283-Create-Demos-Part-5-Creating-Guided-Demos"
locale: "en-us"
category: "Getting Started"
section: "Designing Interactive Demo Experiences"
product: "demos"
topic: "edit/guides"
displayed_sidebar: "demosSidebar"
sidebar_position: 5
tags: ["guides","guided demos","annotations","hotspots"]
pagination_prev: "help/demos/getting-started/edit-captured-content"
pagination_next: "help/demos/getting-started/publish-and-share"
---

## **Overview**

Walnut supports multiple demo formats, including **guided** and **non-guided** experiences.

This guide focuses on how to build **guided demos** using Walnut’s three core guide types: **modals**, **tooltips**, and **hotspots**.

Guided demos help you create a more structured, narrative experience by leading viewers through key workflows, product moments, and messages in the order you choose.

:::note[Why this matters]

Guided demos make it easier to shape the viewer journey with more control. Instead of leaving discovery fully open ended, you can highlight the right value points, reduce friction, and guide attention where it matters most.

:::

---

## **In This Guide**

This guide walks through the core tools and workflows for building guided demos in Walnut, from setup through preview and publishing.

:::note

-   [**Before You Start**](#h_before_you_start)
-   [**The Guides Side Pane**](#h_guides_side_pane)
-   [**Guide Settings**](#h_guide_settings)
-   [**The Guide Toolbar**](#h_formatting_toolbar)
-   [**Create Modals**](#h_create_modals)
-   [**Create Tooltips**](#h_create_tooltips)
-   [**Create Hotspots**](#h_create_hotspots)
-   [**Preview Guides**](#h_preview_guides)
-   [**Create Custom Elements**](#h_create_custom_elements)
-   [**Edit and Rearrange Guides**](#h_edit_rearrange_guides)
-   [**Find & Replace in Guides**](#h_find_replace_guides)
-   [**Publish & Share**](#h_publish_share)
-   [**Specific Use Cases**](#h_specific_use_cases)

:::

---

## **Before You Start**

Before you begin building guides, here are a few important things to keep in mind:

-   **Modals and tooltips are fully editable.** Hotspots are more lightweight and primarily support color and placement adjustments.
-   **Template-level settings can still be overridden locally.** You can keep global defaults in place while customizing specific guide steps when needed.
-   **Guide annotations are part of the guide setup flow.** Modal, tooltip, and hotspot types are assigned as you create the guide experience.

:::tip[Best practice]

Guided demos are strongest when the story is clear before the build begins. A little planning upfront makes it much easier to choose the right guide type, sequence, and level of detail.

:::

---

## **The Guides Side Pane**

The **Guides** side pane is the main control center for creating and managing guides inside a template.

From the right-hand toolbar, click the **Guide** icon to open the **Guides** pane.

![Guides side pane in the Walnut Editor](pathname:///images/9cc28fdcd5540efa.png)

From left to right, the pane includes controls for:

-   Translate guides
-   Guide settings
-   Add a modal, tooltip, or hotspot
-   Close the Guides pane

You can create guides from this pane or directly from the guide toolbar that appears when you click an element on the screen.

---

## **Guide Settings**

Guide settings control the default behavior and styling of your guided experience.

From the right-hand toolbar, click the **Guides** icon, then click the **gear** icon to open the available settings.

![Guide settings entry point in the Guides pane](pathname:///images/e926a67451353cf8.png)

![Guide settings menu in Walnut](pathname:///images/a813f36b7c3c716b.png)

These settings define how guides look, behave, and move through the experience.

---

### **Autoplay**

![Autoplay settings in Walnut guides](pathname:///images/c31c121723a98ed9.png)

Autoplay is useful when you want the demo to move viewers through the story with less manual interaction.

-   When autoplay is **on**, guides appear in the sequence you set.
-   You can use autoplay globally for the full demo or locally for specific guides or screens. Learn more in [**Autoplay Demos**](/help/demos/edit/structure/autoplay).

---

### **Buttons**

![Buttons settings in Walnut guides](pathname:///images/dfb3dc6e4ddd97d4.png)

The **Buttons** section controls the navigation options shown inside guides.

**Default Next Button**  
When enabled, new guides automatically include a **Next** button when the step requires a click to continue.

![Next button example in a Walnut guide](pathname:///images/ab6ef38c695349aa.png)

**Default Button Label**  
The default label is **Next**, but you can update it to match the action more clearly.

**Show Back Button**  
Lets viewers return to the previous guide step.

**Show Dismiss Button**  
Lets viewers close the guide using the **X** in the top-right corner.

---

### **Style**

![Style settings for Walnut guides](pathname:///images/8d98a0e8a7e2b537.png)

Use the **Style** section to define the visual design of your guides.

You can control font family, font size, text colors, and accent color. The accent color is used across guide elements such as active tabs, focused inputs, and navigation buttons.

---

### **Avatar**

![Avatar settings in Walnut guides](pathname:///images/67b279445dd864bd.png)

Avatars add personality and context to guided experiences.

**Show Avatar**  
When enabled, the selected avatar appears in your guides.

**Avatar Title**  
Add a label or title if needed.

**Avatar Personalization**  
When enabled, avatars can be swapped more dynamically, which is useful when tailoring demos for different presenters or audiences.

Learn more in [**Create Avatars**](/help/demos/edit/guides/avatars).

---

### **Dim**

![Dim settings in Walnut guides](pathname:///images/3c8f975dd3d840bc.png)

The **Dim** setting darkens the surrounding screen so the active guide stands out more clearly.

**Dim By Default**  
Off by default. When enabled, the background behind the guide is dimmed.

**Dim Style**  
Controls the intensity of the dim effect when dimming is enabled.

---

### **Demo Floating Button**

![Demo Floating Button settings in Walnut](pathname:///images/917c9d54097fd8ca.png)

The **Demo Floating Button** adds a persistent call-to-action across all screens in a template.

This is useful when you want viewers to pause the demo and take a next step, such as visiting a link or opening a lead form.

-   You can only have **one** floating button per template.
-   The button color uses the accent color from your guide style settings.

**To add a Demo Floating Button:**

1.  Set the **Enabled** toggle to **ON**.
2.  Add the call-to-action text and choose the destination, such as a [**lead form**](https://help.walnut.io/hc/en-us/articles/21223322749075-Embedding-Lead-Forms) or external link.
3.  Choose the button position.
4.  Click **Done**.

---

### **Interactions**

![Guide interaction settings in Walnut](pathname:///images/b1500d6644b81f3e.png)

The **Interactions** section includes settings that affect how guides move and how completion is signaled.

**Smooth Scrolling**  
When enabled and a screen has more than one guide, Walnut scrolls to the next guide step.

**Celebrate Guide Completion**  
When enabled, confetti appears when viewers complete all guide steps.

---

## **Get to Know the Guide Toolbar**

When you click an element, a formatting toolbar appears in the header.

The toolbar changes based on the type of element or guide you select. Text elements, images, charts, and guides can each surface slightly different controls.

![Guide formatting toolbar in Walnut](pathname:///images/d51df28f7847a350.png)

**Main toolbar actions include:**

-   **Add a link:** Link to another screen in the template or an external URL
-   **Add a guide:** Add a modal, tooltip, or hotspot
-   **Smart Object:** Apply the same change to similar elements across multiple screens
-   **Variables:** Create reusable variable-based elements
-   **Select Parent Element:** Move up the element hierarchy to edit a larger grouped object
-   **Three-dot menu:** Open additional options

![Extended guide toolbar menu in Walnut](pathname:///images/de1985280e6bd298.png)

---

## **Create Modals**

A **modal** appears in the center of the screen and is ideal for introducing a step, explaining a key concept, or guiding viewers through a more structured story.

When the viewer clicks **Next**, the modal closes and the next guide appears.

:::tip[Best fit]

Use modals when you want a more narrative moment, a stronger framing statement, or a more guided teaching step before the viewer moves forward.

:::

-   Modals work well for short narrative copy and structured walkthroughs.
-   You can add a second button when you want to give viewers another navigation option.
-   Selecting a modal opens a modal-specific toolbar in the header.

![Modal toolbar in Walnut](pathname:///images/e49312305a2a59c1.png)

**Modal toolbar options include:**

-   Change Guide Type
-   Modal Settings
-   Links
-   Text Formatting
-   Bullets
-   Variables
-   Text to speech
-   Insert file, Video, or URL
-   AI Assistance
-   Done

### **How to Add a Modal**

1.  Click the target element to open the Guide toolbar, click the guide icon, and select **Modal**.  
      
    ![Guide type selection menu showing Modal option](pathname:///images/c7763859548f19ba.png)
1.  You can also create a guide from the right-hand toolbar. Click the **Guide** icon, then click **Add a Step**.  
    ![Add a step from Guides pane](pathname:///images/ebc54f71d14eba1d.png)
1.  The modal appears in the center of the screen.
    -   Add and format your text using the toolbar controls.  
        ![Text formatting options for a modal](pathname:///images/18a2f3d6c5684344.png)
    -   Change the **Next** button label or add a second button if needed.
1.  When you are done, click **Done**.

**Modal settings include:**

![Modal settings in Walnut](pathname:///images/8665c6411219c4fe.png)

-   Show back button
-   Show demo button
-   Autoplay guide step
-   Show avatar and upload avatar
-   Modal size options
-   Autoplay audio
-   Dim background

---

## **Create Tooltips**

Tooltips are useful for short explanations tied to a specific element, term, or interface area.

They are a strong fit when you want to add lightweight context without interrupting the viewer with a larger modal.

:::tip[Best fit]

Use tooltips when the element itself is the focus and the explanation should feel close, targeted, and lightweight.

:::

Selecting a tooltip opens a tooltip-specific toolbar in the header.

![Tooltip toolbar in Walnut](pathname:///images/f73eedf55b328267.png)

**Tooltip toolbar options include:**  
Change guide type  
Change selected element  
Reposition tooltip  
Tooltip settings  
Done

### **How to Add a Tooltip**

1.  Click the target element, open the guide menu, and select **Tooltip**.  
      
    ![Guide type selection menu showing Tooltip option](pathname:///images/c7763859548f19ba.png)
1.  You can also create a guide from the right-hand toolbar using **Add a Step**.  
    ![Add a step from Guides pane](pathname:///images/ebc54f71d14eba1d.png)
1.  The tooltip appears on the screen.  
    ![Tooltip example in Walnut](pathname:///images/72fcc78e30dabbc1.png)
1.  Click the tooltip to open the full tooltip toolbar.  
    ![Expanded tooltip toolbar in Walnut](pathname:///images/5963e24d8f4fbb85.png)
1.  Add your tooltip text.
2.  Update the **Next** button label if needed, or add another button.
3.  Click the **Settings** icon to adjust tooltip behavior and layout.
4.  When you are done, click **Done**.

**Tooltip settings:**

![Tooltip settings in Walnut](pathname:///images/c63b8cfa82ee3264.png)

**Tooltip editor options:**

![Tooltip editor options in Walnut](pathname:///images/5963e24d8f4fbb85.png)

-   Change guide type
-   Change the selected element
-   Reposition the tooltip
-   Tooltip settings
-   Add a link
-   Format text
-   Add bullets
-   Add variables
-   Text to speech
-   Insert media or URL
-   Done

### **How to Change Tooltip Position**

1.  Click the tooltip.
2.  Click the **Change Annotation Position** icon from the toolbar.  
    ![Tooltip position controls in Walnut](pathname:///images/254ddef574abb7a2.png)
1.  Choose the new layout position.
2.  Click **Done**.

---

## **Create Hotspots**

Hotspots are a lightweight way to draw attention to a specific product area or feature.

They create a glowing highlight that encourages exploration and can reveal text when viewers interact with them.

:::tip[Best fit]

Use hotspots when you want to point attention without adding too much copy or interrupting the screen with a larger guide element.

:::

Selecting a hotspot opens a hotspot-specific toolbar in the header.

![Hotspot toolbar in Walnut](pathname:///images/377c668d6c9ebbc1.png)

**Hotspot toolbar options include:**

-   Change guide type
-   Change selected element
-   Change hotspot color
-   Hotspot settings
-   Done

### **How to Add a Hotspot**

1.  Click the target element, open the guide menu, and select **Hotspot**.  
      
    ![Guide type selection menu showing Hotspot option](pathname:///images/c7763859548f19ba.png)  
      
    You can also create a guide from the right-hand toolbar by clicking **Add a Step**.  
      
    ![Add a hotspot from Guides pane](pathname:///images/ebc54f71d14eba1d.png)
1.  The hotspot appears on the selected element.
2.  Adjust the hotspot as needed, including color or position, using the toolbar and settings panel.
3.  When you are done, click **Done**.

---

## **Preview Guides**

Once you have added guides, use **Preview** to see the experience the way a viewer will see it.

![Preview button in Walnut Editor](pathname:///images/400e428581c32c4a.png)

### **How to Preview Guides Before Publishing**

1.  Open the template in Edit mode.
2.  Click **Preview** from the header.
3.  Step through the guides unless autoplay is enabled.
4.  If you want to change order or settings, return to the editor.
5.  Open the **Guides** pane, then click the **gear** icon to update guide settings.  
      
    ![Guide settings entry point in Guides pane](pathname:///images/e926a67451353cf8.png)
1.  Adjust the settings you want to test.
2.  Click **Save**.
3.  Click **Preview** again.
4.  Repeat until the experience looks and behaves the way you want.

---

## **Create Custom Elements**

Custom elements are useful when you want to place a guide in an area of the screen that does not already contain a selectable element.

### **How to Create a Custom Element**

1.  Open the template in Edit mode and click the **Guides** icon from the right-hand toolbar.
2.  In the **Guides** pane, click the gear icon and select **Display Options**.
3.  Select **Proportional Fit** so the screen scales proportionally and keeps its captured aspect ratio.
4.  Select the custom element icon and draw the element on the screen.
5.  Use the Guide toolbar to attach a guide or link to that custom element.

---

## **Edit and Rearrange Guides**

Guides play in the order you define. If the sequence needs to change, you can quickly rearrange guides with drag and drop or move them to another screen.

You can:

-   Change the order of guides on the same screen
-   Move guides to a different screen or section

### **Change the Order of Guides on the Same Screen**

![Guide ordering view in Walnut](pathname:///images/35e00f861d15ff62.png)

Select the screen in the left pane. The guides for that screen appear on the right.

Drag the guide to the new position.

![Dragging a guide to reorder it in Walnut](pathname:///images/23ba305d2ab3f423.png)

### **Move a Guide to a Different Screen**

Right-click the guide and select **Move**, then choose the screen where it should go.

![Move guide menu in Walnut](pathname:///images/9d57fb5904c73521.png)

:::tip[Note]

A yellow flag marks the first screen in the sequence. The first guide on that screen will play first.

:::

![First screen marker in Walnut guides](pathname:///images/4407444d41dc44a3.png)

---

## **Find & Replace in Guides**

Find & Replace makes it easier to update repeated text across guide steps.

### **How to Find and Replace Text in Guides**

From the right-hand toolbar, click the **Find & Replace** icon. This opens a new pane.

![Find and Replace icon in Walnut](pathname:///images/4054325b50f7e00c.png)

In the **Find & Replace** pane, enter the text you want to find and press **Enter**.

Click the **Guide Steps** tab to review the matching results.

Enter the replacement text, then click **Replace All** when you are ready.

---

## **Publish & Share**

Once your guides are in place and the experience feels right, the next step is publishing and sharing the demo.

Continue to [**Part 6: Publish & Share Demos**](/help/demos/getting-started/publish-and-share) for the next stage of the workflow.

---

## **Specific Use Cases**

Here are a few common scenarios and how to handle them.

### **1\. Positioning Error Message**

If you see a positioning error message, the annotation likely needs to be pinned more precisely.

Go to the [**Tooltips**](#h_create_tooltips) section of this guide and review the workflow for repositioning a tooltip.

---

### **2\. Open a Form at the End of the Demo**

Go to the final guide step and add the form link to the modal or tooltip action button.

---

### **3\. Attach a Guide to a Custom Element Instead of the Next Button**

Delete the **Next** button, create a custom element, then attach the guide to that element instead.

See [**Create Custom Elements**](#h_create_custom_elements).

---

### **4\. Hide the Guide Toolbar in the Live Demo**

The Guide toolbar itself cannot be repositioned, but it can be hidden from the live demo if needed.

To do this, go to the demo in your library, open the three-dot menu, and select **Demo Preferences**.

In the **Link Settings** tab, turn **Show Guide Toolbar** off.

![Show Guide Toolbar setting in Walnut demo preferences](pathname:///images/40e03fbbc7b572b0.png)

Then click **Copy Link and Save**.

---

## **Summary**

Guided demos help you turn captured screens into structured product stories that are easier to follow, easier to teach with, and easier to control.

Modals work well for more narrative moments, tooltips are ideal for lighter contextual guidance, and hotspots help call attention to specific product areas without interrupting the flow too heavily.

With the right guide settings, sequencing, and preview checks in place, guided demos can become one of the strongest ways to deliver a polished product experience in Walnut.

:::note[Final Takeaway]

The best guided demos do not just explain the product. They shape the experience. Use guide type, sequencing, and settings intentionally so the viewer sees the right message in the right moment.

:::