---
title: Elements
nav_order: 4
tags:
    - Guide
    - External
    - User
# exclude-from-main-guides-list
---

## Elements

This section explains how to define the map features that quests target.

_For a list of all guides on the TCAT Wiki, refer to the [Guides List](../../../../guides-list/index.md)._{ .guides-list-ref }

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### Add an Element

An element groups the quests that describe one type of mapped feature.

1. **Select** **Add Element** in the **Elements** panel
2. **Enter** a name in **Element Type**, such as `Sidewalks`
3. **Enter** the matching expression in **Quest Query**, such as `ways with (highway=footway and footway=sidewalk)`
4. **Select** **Pick Icon**, filter the icon list if needed, and choose a built-in icon
5. **Review** the element in the editor and the JSON Preview

The **Element Type**, **Quest Query**, and **Element Icon** fields are marked as required in the editor. Enter meaningful values before continuing to validation and export.

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### Define the Target Query

The **Quest Query** determines which mapped features receive the element's quests. Start with the element type and add only the tag filters needed for the project.

Examples include:

- `ways`
- `ways with (footway=sidewalk)`
- `ways with (footway=sidewalk and !surface)`
- `nodes with (barrier=kerb and !tactile_paving)`

Use the [Element Query Guide](../../element-query.md) for the supported query syntax and test a query against the intended workspace data before publishing the definition.

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### Select an Element Icon

1. **Select** **Pick Icon** when no icon is assigned
2. **Enter** a term in **Filter icons** to narrow the list
3. **Select** a built-in icon that represents the element type
4. **Select** **Change Icon** to replace an existing icon, or **Clear icon** to remove it before choosing another

You can use a matching custom icon after defining it in [Presets and Custom Icons](presets-and-icons.md).

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### Use an Element Preset

When a matching preset is available, select **Element Presets** in the element editor and choose the preset to scaffold the element. Review every generated field, including the query and icon, before adding quests.

If no matching preset is configured, enter the element values manually.

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### Reorder or Remove Elements

- **Select** **Move element up** or **Move element down** to change the element order
- **Select** **Delete element** to remove the selected element and its quests

Review the JSON Preview after reordering or deleting an element so that the exported structure still matches the intended workflow.

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### Next Steps

Select **Add Quest** under the element and continue to [Quests](quests.md) to configure its questions.