diff --git a/gim/view/vertex.go b/gim/view/vertex.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75c7b68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gim/view/vertex.go
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+package view
+
+import (
+	"github.com/mediocregopher/ginger/gim/geo"
+	"github.com/mediocregopher/ginger/gim/terminal"
+)
+
+type edge struct {
+	from, to   *vertex
+	tail, head rune // if empty do directional segment char
+	body       string
+	switchback bool
+
+	lineStyle terminal.LineStyle
+}
+
+type vertex struct {
+	coord, pos geo.XY
+	in, out    [][]*edge // top level is port index
+	body       string
+
+	// means it won't be drawn, and will be removed and have its in/out edges
+	// spliced together into a single edge.
+	ephemeral bool
+
+	lineStyle terminal.LineStyle // if zero value don't draw border
+}