diff --git a/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/component/widget/NodesTree.js b/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/component/widget/NodesTree.js
index 0e602e768e2..761990019a3 100644
--- a/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/component/widget/NodesTree.js
+++ b/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/component/widget/NodesTree.js
@@ -65,21 +65,29 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.component.widget.NodesTree", {
   },
 
   statics: {
+    getSortingValue: function(node) {
+      if (node.isFilePicker()) {
+        return osparc.utils.Services.getSorting("file");
+      } else if (node.isParameter()) {
+        return osparc.utils.Services.getSorting("parameter");
+      }
+      return osparc.utils.Services.getSorting(node.getMetaData().type);
+    },
+
     convertModel: function(nodes) {
-      let children = [];
+      const children = [];
       for (let nodeId in nodes) {
         const node = nodes[nodeId];
-        let nodeInTree = {
-          label: "",
-          nodeId: node.getNodeId()
+        const nodeInTree = {
+          label: node.getLabel(),
+          children: node.isContainer() ? this.convertModel(node.getInnerNodes()) : [],
+          isContainer: node.isContainer(),
+          nodeId: node.getNodeId(),
+          sortingValue: this.self().getSortingValue(node)
         };
-        nodeInTree.label = node.getLabel();
-        nodeInTree.isContainer = node.isContainer();
-        if (node.isContainer()) {
-          nodeInTree.children = this.convertModel(node.getInnerNodes());
-        }
         children.push(nodeInTree);
       }
+      // children.sort((firstEl, secondEl) => firstEl.sortingValue - secondEl.sortingValue);
       return children;
     }
   },
@@ -111,11 +119,12 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.component.widget.NodesTree", {
     populateTree: function() {
       const study = this.getStudy();
       const topLevelNodes = study.getWorkbench().getNodes();
-      let data = {
+      const data = {
         label: study.getName(),
         children: this.self().convertModel(topLevelNodes),
+        isContainer: true,
         nodeId: study.getUuid(),
-        isContainer: true
+        sortingValue: 0
       };
       let newModel = qx.data.marshal.Json.createModel(data, true);
       let oldModel = this.getModel();
@@ -134,19 +143,15 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.component.widget.NodesTree", {
           bindItem: (c, item, id) => {
             c.bindDefaultProperties(item, id);
             c.bindProperty("nodeId", "nodeId", null, item, id);
-            const node = study.getWorkbench().getNode(item.getModel().getNodeId());
-            if (node) {
-              node.bind("label", item.getModel(), "label");
-            }
             c.bindProperty("label", "label", null, item, id);
+            const node = study.getWorkbench().getNode(item.getModel().getNodeId());
             if (item.getModel().getNodeId() === study.getUuid()) {
               item.setIcon("@FontAwesome5Solid/home/14");
               item.getChildControl("options-delete-button").exclude();
-            }
-            if (node) {
-              if (node.isDynamic()) {
-                item.getChildControl("fullscreen-button").show();
-              }
+            } else if (node) {
+              node.bind("label", item.getModel(), "label");
+
+              // set icon
               if (node.isFilePicker()) {
                 const icon = osparc.utils.Services.getIcon("file");
                 item.setIcon(icon+"14");
@@ -159,6 +164,22 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.component.widget.NodesTree", {
                   item.setIcon(icon+"14");
                 }
               }
+
+              // bind running/interactive status to icon color
+              if (node.isDynamic()) {
+                node.getStatus().bind("interactive", item.getChildControl("icon"), "textColor", {
+                  converter: status => osparc.utils.StatusUI.getColor(status)
+                }, this);
+              } else if (node.isComputational()) {
+                node.getStatus().bind("running", item.getChildControl("icon"), "textColor", {
+                  converter: status => osparc.utils.StatusUI.getColor(status)
+                }, this);
+              }
+
+              // add fullscreen
+              if (node.isDynamic()) {
+                item.getChildControl("fullscreen-button").show();
+              }
             }
           },
           configureItem: item => {
@@ -166,8 +187,12 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.component.widget.NodesTree", {
               this.__openItem(item.getModel().getNodeId());
               this.nodeSelected(item.getModel().getNodeId());
             }, this);
-          }
+          },
+          sorter: (itemA, itemB) => itemA.getSortingValue() - itemB.getSortingValue()
         });
+        const nChildren = newModel.getChildren().length;
+        console.log(nChildren);
+        this.setHeight(nChildren*21 + 12);
       }
     },
 
diff --git a/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/component/workbench/WorkbenchUI.js b/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/component/workbench/WorkbenchUI.js
index 0a98c3b9d75..021f7965cdd 100644
--- a/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/component/workbench/WorkbenchUI.js
+++ b/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/component/workbench/WorkbenchUI.js
@@ -314,13 +314,30 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.component.workbench.WorkbenchUI", {
       return inputOutputNodesLayout;
     },
 
-    __createServiceCatalog: function(winPos) {
+    openServiceCatalog: function(winPos, nodePos) {
       const srvCat = new osparc.component.workbench.ServiceCatalog();
       const maxLeft = this.getBounds().width - osparc.component.workbench.ServiceCatalog.Width;
       const maxHeight = this.getBounds().height - osparc.component.workbench.ServiceCatalog.Height;
-      const posX = Math.min(winPos.x, maxLeft);
-      const posY = Math.min(winPos.y, maxHeight);
+      const posX = winPos ? Math.min(winPos.x, maxLeft) : 100;
+      const posY = winPos ? Math.min(winPos.y, maxHeight) : 100;
       srvCat.moveTo(posX + this.__getLeftOffset(), posY + this.__getTopOffset());
+      srvCat.addListener("addService", e => {
+        const {
+          service,
+          nodeLeftId,
+          nodeRightId
+        } = e.getData();
+        const newNodeUI = this.__addNode(service, nodePos);
+        if (nodeLeftId !== null || nodeRightId !== null) {
+          const newNodeId = newNodeUI.getNodeId();
+          this._createEdgeBetweenNodes({
+            nodeId: nodeLeftId ? nodeLeftId : newNodeId
+          }, {
+            nodeId: nodeRightId ? nodeRightId : newNodeId
+          });
+        }
+      }, this);
+      srvCat.open();
       return srvCat;
     },
 
@@ -372,9 +389,11 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.component.workbench.WorkbenchUI", {
     },
 
     _addNodeUIToWorkbench: function(nodeUI, position) {
-      if (!("x" in position) || isNaN(position["x"]) || position["x"] < 0) {
-        console.error("not a valid position");
-        return;
+      if (position === undefined || !("x" in position) || isNaN(position["x"]) || position["x"] < 0) {
+        position = {
+          x: 10,
+          y: 10
+        };
       }
       this.__updateWorkbenchLayoutSize(position);
 
@@ -681,32 +700,9 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.component.workbench.WorkbenchUI", {
 
         if (this.__tempEdgeNodeId === dragNodeId) {
           const winPos = this.__unscaleCoordinates(this.__pointerPos.x, this.__pointerPos.y);
-          const srvCat = this.__createServiceCatalog(winPos);
-          if (this.__tempEdgeIsInput === true) {
-            srvCat.setContext(null, dragNodeId);
-          } else {
-            srvCat.setContext(dragNodeId, null);
-          }
-          srvCat.addListener("addService", ev => {
-            const {
-              service,
-              nodeLeftId,
-              nodeRightId
-            } = ev.getData();
-            const newNodeUI = this.__addNode(service, this.__pointerPos);
-            if (nodeLeftId !== null || nodeRightId !== null) {
-              const newNodeId = newNodeUI.getNodeId();
-              this._createEdgeBetweenNodes({
-                nodeId: nodeLeftId ? nodeLeftId : newNodeId
-              }, {
-                nodeId: nodeRightId ? nodeRightId : newNodeId
-              });
-            }
-          }, this);
-          srvCat.addListener("close", () => {
-            this.__removeTempEdge();
-          }, this);
-          srvCat.open();
+          const srvCat = this.openServiceCatalog(winPos, this.__pointerPos);
+          this.__tempEdgeIsInput === true ? srvCat.setContext(null, dragNodeId) : srvCat.setContext(dragNodeId, null);
+          srvCat.addListener("close", () => this.__removeTempEdge(), this);
         }
         qx.bom.Element.removeListener(
           this.__desktop,
@@ -1315,15 +1311,8 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.component.workbench.WorkbenchUI", {
           return;
         }
         const winPos = this.__pointerEventToWorkbenchPos(pointerEvent, false);
-        const scaledPos = this.__pointerEventToWorkbenchPos(pointerEvent, true);
-        const srvCat = this.__createServiceCatalog(winPos);
-        srvCat.addListener("addService", e => {
-          const {
-            service
-          } = e.getData();
-          this.__addNode(service, scaledPos);
-        }, this);
-        srvCat.open();
+        const nodePos = this.__pointerEventToWorkbenchPos(pointerEvent, true);
+        this.openServiceCatalog(winPos, nodePos);
       }, this);
 
       this.__workbenchLayout.addListener("resize", () => this.__updateHint(), this);
diff --git a/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/desktop/WorkbenchView.js b/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/desktop/WorkbenchView.js
index b05d953f3cc..35ecb59451f 100644
--- a/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/desktop/WorkbenchView.js
+++ b/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/desktop/WorkbenchView.js
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView", {
 
     this.setOffset(2);
     osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView.decorateSplitter(this.getChildControl("splitter"));
+    osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView.decorateSlider(this.getChildControl("slider"));
 
     this.__sidePanels = this.getChildControl("side-panels");
     this.getChildControl("main-panel-tabs");
@@ -40,14 +41,24 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView", {
     TAB_BUTTON_HEIGHT: 50,
 
     decorateSplitter: function(splitter) {
-      splitter.setWidth(2);
       const colorManager = qx.theme.manager.Color.getInstance();
       const binaryColor = osparc.utils.Utils.getRoundedBinaryColor(colorManager.resolve("background-main"));
-      splitter.setBackgroundColor(binaryColor);
+      splitter.set({
+        width: 2,
+        backgroundColor: binaryColor
+      });
       colorManager.addListener("changeTheme", () => {
         const newBinaryColor = osparc.utils.Utils.getRoundedBinaryColor(colorManager.resolve("background-main"));
         splitter.setBackgroundColor(newBinaryColor);
       }, this);
+    },
+
+    decorateSlider: function(slider) {
+      slider.set({
+        width: 2,
+        backgroundColor: "#007fd4", // Visual Studio blue
+        opacity: 1
+      });
     }
   },
 
@@ -88,6 +99,7 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView", {
             width: Math.min(parseInt(window.innerWidth * (0.16+0.24)), 550)
           });
           osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView.decorateSplitter(control.getChildControl("splitter"));
+          osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView.decorateSlider(control.getChildControl("slider"));
           this.add(control, 0); // flex 0
           break;
         }
@@ -260,7 +272,7 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView", {
       const topBar = tabViewPrimary.getChildControl("bar");
       this.__addTopBarSpacer(topBar);
 
-      const homeAndNodesTree = new qx.ui.container.Composite(new qx.ui.layout.VBox(0)).set({
+      const homeAndNodesTree = new qx.ui.container.Composite(new qx.ui.layout.VBox(15)).set({
         backgroundColor: primaryColumnBGColor
       });
 
@@ -268,20 +280,30 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView", {
         alignY: "middle",
         minHeight: 32,
         maxHeight: 32,
-        backgroundColor: primaryColumnBGColor,
-        marginBottom: 5
+        backgroundColor: primaryColumnBGColor
       });
       studyTreeItem.setStudy(study);
       homeAndNodesTree.add(studyTreeItem);
 
       const nodesTree = this.__nodesTree = new osparc.component.widget.NodesTree().set({
         backgroundColor: primaryColumnBGColor,
-        hideRoot: true
+        hideRoot: true,
+        allowGrowY: true,
+        minHeight: 5
       });
       nodesTree.setStudy(study);
-      homeAndNodesTree.add(nodesTree, {
-        flex: 1
+      homeAndNodesTree.add(nodesTree);
+
+      const addNewNodeBtn = new qx.ui.form.Button().set({
+        label: this.tr("Add new node"),
+        icon: "@FontAwesome5Solid/plus/14",
+        allowGrowX: false,
+        alignX: "left",
+        marginLeft: 14
       });
+      addNewNodeBtn.addListener("execute", () => this.__workbenchUI.openServiceCatalog());
+      homeAndNodesTree.add(addNewNodeBtn);
+
       const nodesPage = this.__createTabPage("@FontAwesome5Solid/list", this.tr("Nodes"), homeAndNodesTree, primaryColumnBGColor);
       tabViewPrimary.add(nodesPage);
 
@@ -304,6 +326,10 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView", {
       const topBar = tabViewSecondary.getChildControl("bar");
       this.__addTopBarSpacer(topBar);
 
+      const studyOptionsPage = this.__studyOptionsPage = this.__createTabPage("@FontAwesome5Solid/book", this.tr("Study options"));
+      studyOptionsPage.exclude();
+      tabViewSecondary.add(studyOptionsPage);
+
       const infoPage = this.__infoPage = this.__createTabPage("@FontAwesome5Solid/info", this.tr("Information"));
       infoPage.exclude();
       tabViewSecondary.add(infoPage);
@@ -680,12 +706,15 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView", {
     },
 
     __populateSecondPanel: function(node) {
-      this.__infoPage.removeAll();
-      this.__settingsPage.removeAll();
-      this.__outputsPage.removeAll();
-      this.__infoPage.getChildControl("button").exclude();
-      this.__settingsPage.getChildControl("button").exclude();
-      this.__outputsPage.getChildControl("button").exclude();
+      [
+        this.__studyOptionsPage,
+        this.__infoPage,
+        this.__settingsPage,
+        this.__outputsPage
+      ].forEach(page => {
+        page.removeAll();
+        page.getChildControl("button").exclude();
+      });
 
       if (node instanceof osparc.data.model.Study) {
         this.__populateSecondPanelStudy(node);
@@ -699,10 +728,10 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView", {
     },
 
     __populateSecondPanelStudy: function(study) {
-      this.__infoPage.getChildControl("button").show();
-      this.getChildControl("side-panel-right-tabs").setSelection([this.__infoPage]);
+      this.__studyOptionsPage.getChildControl("button").show();
+      this.getChildControl("side-panel-right-tabs").setSelection([this.__studyOptionsPage]);
 
-      this.__infoPage.add(new osparc.studycard.Medium(study), {
+      this.__studyOptionsPage.add(new osparc.studycard.Medium(study), {
         flex: 1
       });
     },
@@ -865,9 +894,6 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView", {
     },
 
     __attachEventHandlers: function() {
-      // const blocker = this.getBlocker();
-      // blocker.addListener("tap", this.getChildControl("side-panels").toggleCollapsed.bind(this.getChildControl("side-panels")));
-
       const maximizeIframeCb = msg => {
         this.__maximizeIframe(msg.getData());
       };
@@ -963,6 +989,7 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.desktop.WorkbenchView", {
           return;
         }
       }
+      this.__maximizeIframe(false);
       this.nodeSelected(this.getStudy().getUuid());
     }
   }
diff --git a/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/utils/Services.js b/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/utils/Services.js
index 879d998061d..f467a02310f 100644
--- a/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/utils/Services.js
+++ b/services/web/client/source/class/osparc/utils/Services.js
@@ -33,21 +33,25 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.utils.Services", {
 
   statics: {
     TYPES: {
-      computational: {
-        label: "Computational",
-        icon: "@FontAwesome5Solid/cogs/"
-      },
-      dynamic: {
-        label: "Interactive",
-        icon: "@FontAwesome5Solid/mouse-pointer/"
-      },
       parameter: {
         label: "",
-        icon: "@FontAwesome5Solid/sliders-h/"
+        icon: "@FontAwesome5Solid/sliders-h/",
+        sorting: 0
       },
       file: {
         label: "",
-        icon: "@FontAwesome5Solid/file/"
+        icon: "@FontAwesome5Solid/file/",
+        sorting: 1
+      },
+      computational: {
+        label: "Computational",
+        icon: "@FontAwesome5Solid/cogs/",
+        sorting: 2
+      },
+      dynamic: {
+        label: "Interactive",
+        icon: "@FontAwesome5Solid/mouse-pointer/",
+        sorting: 3
       }
     },
 
@@ -79,6 +83,14 @@ qx.Class.define("osparc.utils.Services", {
       return typeInfo[""];
     },
 
+    getSorting(type) {
+      const typeInfo = this.getType(type);
+      if (typeInfo) {
+        return typeInfo["sorting"];
+      }
+      return 0;
+    },
+
     convertArrayToObject: function(servicesArray) {
       let services = {};
       for (let i = 0; i < servicesArray.length; i++) {