Node extensions structure

---

description: You need the foundational nodes required for any Tiptap document: Document, Paragraph, Text.

5.1 Document Structure Nodes

When to Use

You need the foundational nodes required for any Tiptap document: Document, Paragraph, Text.

Items

Document

Description: Root node that wraps all content. Required in every Tiptap editor. Schema:

content: 'block+' // Must contain one or more block nodes
topNode: true // Identifies this as the root

Usage Example:

import Document from '@tiptap/extension-document'

new Editor({
  extensions: [Document, Paragraph, Text],
})

Gotchas: - Can't be removed or replaced (required by ProseMirror) - Custom document nodes must set topNode: true

Paragraph

Description: Basic block-level node for text content. Default block in most editors. Schema:

content: 'inline*' // Zero or more inline nodes (text, marks)
group: 'block' // Part of the block group

Usage Example:

import Paragraph from '@tiptap/extension-paragraph'

// Configure default paragraph
Paragraph.configure({
  HTMLAttributes: {
    class: 'my-paragraph',
  },
})

Gotchas: - Paragraphs can't contain other blocks (only text and inline nodes) - Empty paragraphs are valid (zero content)

Text

Description: Leaf node representing actual text content. Required for any text editing. Schema:

group: 'inline' // Part of the inline group

Usage Example:

import Text from '@tiptap/extension-text'

// Text node is always required, no configuration needed
new Editor({
  extensions: [Document, Paragraph, Text],
})

Gotchas: - Cannot be configured or extended (simplest node) - Only node type that can contain actual text

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to include Document, Paragraph, or Text → Editor won't initialize
• Trying to nest paragraphs inside paragraphs → Invalid schema; use list items for nesting
• Expecting text outside inline context → Text must be inside a node with content: 'inline*'

See Also

• → 5.2 Content Nodes | Heading, blockquote, code block
• → 3.2 Schema Architecture | Content expression rules
• Reference: https://tiptap.dev/docs/editor/extensions/nodes