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SecondBrain brings a powerful second hierarchy window to the Unity Editor, giving you a structured and searchable way to organize Assets, Prefabs, Scenes, GameObjects, Components, and Executable Actions. Packed with productivity boosts to help you navigate complex projects with ease, and get more done.
Note
This repository contains the free version of SecondBrain. Upgrade to PRO version on the Unity Asset Store for more features, unlimited functionality, and long-term support.
- Keep Whatever You Need
- Organize However You Like
- Move Faster
- Customize Your Experience
- Free vs PRO
- Documentation
- Installation
- Quick Start
- Requirements
- License
Drag or add anything from your project into the SecondBrain window to create a reference to it.
| What you add | Source | What is stored | Productivity Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| GameObjects | Unity's Hierarchy | Scene Object reference — persists even when scene is closed | - Navigate to object (Open scene if not already opened) - Quick Peek: Edit GameObject from a popup window (PRO) - Force Focus Camera on Selection |
| Components | Inspector Window | Scene Component reference — persists even when scene is closed | - Navigate to object (Open scene if not already opened) - Quick Peek: Edit Component from a popup window (PRO) - Force Focus Camera on Selection |
| Assets ( Scriptable Objects, Prefabs, Materials, etc. ) | Project Window | Direct reference to the asset file | - Quick Peek: Edit an Asset from a popup window |
| Scenes | Project Window / Unity's Hierarchy | Direct reference to the asset file | - Option to load up the scene (if not already opened) - Option to Enter PlayMode (if scene is loaded) |
| Folders | Project Window | Direct reference to the folder | - Open folder in Project window automatically on selection |
| Typed Scriptable Object Container | SecondBrain Window's Context Menu | A strongly-typed Scriptable Object container that holds children of specific type | - Add a new child Scriptable Object from a list of pre-defined templates - Quick Peek: Browse the container's contents from a popup window (PRO) |
| Action Item (PRO) | SecondBrain Window's Context Menu | ScriptableObject-based executable action | - Execute any custom actions right from the SecondBrain Window - Or execute from Quick Peek popup with parameter passing (PRO) |
| Copied Text or URLs | Ctrl+V / Cmd+V | A newly created TextAsset containing your pasted content | - Opens URL on your browser - Quick Peek: Edit text content from a popup window (PRO) |
The hierarchy is based on 3-level structure: Profiles > Bases > Containers
Profile ( Per-Team Member Separation - e.g. "Tom's Profile", "Amy's Profile" )
└── Base ( Hierarchy Separation - e.g. "Frequently Used Stuff", "Level Design Tools", "Game Systems" )
└── Container ( The actual parent of the references — nestable to any depth)
├── GameObjects / Components / Assets
├── Containers
└── Custom Actions [PRO]
- Profiles are swappable workspaces per device. They allow each team member to work and modify their own custom hierarchy independently — e.g. "Tech Artist's Workspace", "Dev's Workspace", "James's Workspace". The selected Profile is saved per device.
- Bases are the roots of each hierarchy. They let you have multiple hierarchy trees under one Profile.
- Containers are groups inside a Base — the actual parents of your references. You can add any supported asset from the table above or nest Containers inside each other freely.
Note
No duplicates. SecondBrain prevents adding the same item twice — either within the same Container or anywhere else in the tree.
Note
In the free tier, you have one Profile with one Base. Upgrade to PRO for unlimited Profiles, Bases, and windows.
See Data Structure and Building Your Hierarchy for more details.
Navigate your project faster with these productivity boosts.
Hover over the left or right edge of any row to see a floating inspector popup of each asset / object if available.
- GameObjects show their components in a tabbed or foldout layout.
- Containers show their children in a tabbed or foldout layout.
- Assets show their inspector / property editor with limitations for some types of assets such as materials and textures.
Alt+W (Win/Linux) / Option+W (Mac) opens a floating browser window centered on the editor — from anywhere, any time.
- Start typing and the search bar is already focused.
- Pressing Enter will navigate into the selected item (see Enter Actions below).
- Press Alt+W again or Esc twice to close.
Link a Base to a scene. When that scene opens in the editor, SecondBrain opens straight to that workspace automatically.
Every item type knows what to do when you press Return or double-click on it.
| Item | What happens |
|---|---|
| Base | Navigate in |
| Container | Toggle expand / collapse |
| Scene Object | Open floating inspector of the GameObject OR open the scene and ping the object if the scene is not opened. |
| Scene Component | Open floating inspector of the Component OR open the scene and ping the object if the scene is not opened. |
| Scene | Open the scene |
| Prefab | Open in Prefab Stage |
| URLs | Open in system's browser |
| Action Item | Execute (PRO) |
Full keyboard navigation support:
- ↑ / ↓ to move selection
- ← / → to collapse/expand containers
- Alt+← / Alt+→ to recursively collapse/expand
- Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Shift+Z for undo/redo, Ctrl+R to rename
- Ctrl+D to duplicate
- Ctrl+Left / Ctrl+Right for back/forward history, and more.
See the full Keyboard Shortcuts reference.
Right-click any Container or Base to set an emoji (or any built-in Unity editor icon) and a label color. Four color styles let you decide how prominent the highlight is:
| Style | Effect |
|---|---|
| Gradient | Gradient wash across the row |
| Font Color | Tints the label text |
| Circle Dot | Small colored circle beside the name |
| Background | Fills the entire row |
Multi-select several nodes and style them all at once.
Tune SecondBrain's behavior to your workflow — confirmation dialogs, row height, double-click action, force naming on creation, default expand state, and more.
See Styling and Settings.
| Capability | Free | PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Browser windows | 1 | Unlimited |
| Profiles | 1 | Unlimited |
| Bases | 1 | Unlimited |
| Max Tabs / Windows | 1 | Unlimited |
| Scenes and Assets (drag & drop) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scene Object references | ✓ | ✓ |
| Component references | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full undo / redo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyboard navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Core browsing, styling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Move items between Bases | — | ✓ |
| Quick Peek hover preview | — | ✓ |
| Quick Browse keyboard popup | — | ✓ |
| Scene Linking (auto-open / close) | — | ✓ |
| Action Items | — | ✓ |
| Page | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Getting Started | Opening the window, first-run orientation |
| Data Structure | Profiles, Bases, Containers, asset types — the full hierarchy |
| Browsing | Navigation, creating items, drag & drop, enter actions, undo |
| Selection & Search | Multi-select, range select, real-time search |
| Styling & Settings | Emoji, colors, Inspectors, all settings |
| PRO Features | Quick Peek, Quick Browse, Scene Linking, Action Items, Multiple Windows |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Full shortcut reference |
| Advanced Topics | Extending TypedContainer and Action Items for custom tooling |
| Upgrading to PRO | Installing PRO and activating your license |
Add via the Unity Package Manager using the Git URL:
https://github.com/SecretZauce/SecondBrain.git
Or download the latest release from the GitHub releases page and import the .unitypackage into your project.
On first launch, SecondBrain runs a one-time setup and automatically opens the Installer Window (Can be accessed later at Tools → Second Brain → Installer).
- Purchase and download SecondBrain PRO from the Unity Asset Store.
- Import the PRO
.unitypackageinto your project (the installer will prompt you to install the free package from GitHub if it is not already present). - Unity recompiles and PRO features activate automatically — no license key required. On completion, the Installer Window opens automatically, same as the Free setup flow.
Note
Both packages must be at matching versions. A Version Mismatch dialog appears if they fall out of sync and links you to the correct update.
- Open Window → Second Brain (Home).
- Double-click a Base to navigate into it, or press Escape to return to Home.
- Drag assets from the Project window, Hierarchy, or Inspector onto a Container.
- Right-click any Container to create children, rename, set an emoji, set a color, or delete.
See the full documentation for browsing, styling, PRO features, and the extension API.
- Unity 6 LTS (6000.0.x) or later
| Part | License |
|---|---|
| Second Brain (Free) | MIT |
| Second Brain Pro | Unity Asset Store EULA |
| Material Icons | Apache 2.0 — © 2014 Google LLC |
- Discord Server
- Support Email: sc.zauce.support@gmail.com