diff --git a/examples/Basic/Basic.vue b/examples/Basic/Basic.vue
index 69010236..3c947c78 100644
--- a/examples/Basic/Basic.vue
+++ b/examples/Basic/Basic.vue
@@ -15,54 +15,31 @@ import {
 
 const onNodeDragStop = (e) => console.log('drag stop', e)
 const onElementClick = (e) => console.log('click', e)
-const elements = ref<Elements>([
+const nodes = ref<Elements>([
   { id: '1', type: 'input', data: { label: 'Node 1' }, position: { x: 250, y: 5 } },
   { id: '2', data: { label: 'Node 2' }, position: { x: 100, y: 100 } },
   { id: '3', data: { label: 'Node 3' }, position: { x: 400, y: 100 } },
   { id: '4', data: { label: 'Node 4' }, position: { x: 400, y: 200 } },
-  { id: 'e1-2', source: '1', target: '2', animated: true },
-  { id: 'e1-3', source: '1', target: '3' },
 ])
+const edges = ref<Elements>([])
 const vfInstance = ref<FlowInstance>()
-const onElementsRemove = (elementsToRemove: Elements) => removeElements(elementsToRemove, elements.value)
-const onConnect = (params: Edge | Connection) => addEdge(params, elements.value)
 const onLoad = (flowInstance: FlowInstance) => {
   flowInstance.fitView({ padding: 0.1 })
   vfInstance.value = flowInstance
 }
 
-const updatePos = () => {
-  elements.value = elements.value.map((el) => {
-    if (isNode(el)) {
-      el.position = {
-        x: Math.random() * 400,
-        y: Math.random() * 400,
-      }
-    }
-    return el
-  })
-}
-
 const logToObject = () => console.log(vfInstance.value?.toObject())
 const resetTransform = () => vfInstance.value?.setTransform({ x: 0, y: 0, zoom: 1 })
-
-const toggleclasss = () => {
-  elements.value = elements.value.map((el) => {
-    if (isNode(el)) el.class = el.class === 'light' ? 'dark' : 'light'
-    return el
-  })
-}
 </script>
 <template>
   <VueFlow
-    v-model="elements"
+    :nodes="nodes"
+    :edges="edges"
     class="vue-flow-basic-example"
     :default-zoom="1.5"
     :min-zoom="0.2"
     :max-zoom="4"
     :zoom-on-scroll="false"
-    @elements-remove="onElementsRemove"
-    @connect="onConnect"
     @node-drag-stop="onNodeDragStop"
     @node-click="onElementClick"
     @load="onLoad"
@@ -70,11 +47,5 @@ const toggleclasss = () => {
     <Background />
     <MiniMap />
     <Controls />
-    <div style="position: absolute; right: 10px; top: 10px; z-index: 4">
-      <button style="margin-right: 5px" @click="resetTransform">reset transform</button>
-      <button style="margin-right: 5px" @click="updatePos">change pos</button>
-      <button style="margin-right: 5px" @click="toggleclasss">toggle classs</button>
-      <button @click="logToObject">toObject</button>
-    </div>
   </VueFlow>
 </template>
diff --git a/examples/Stress/StressExample.vue b/examples/Stress/StressExample.vue
index 23d3d8a2..063ed496 100644
--- a/examples/Stress/StressExample.vue
+++ b/examples/Stress/StressExample.vue
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ const instance = ref<FlowInstance>()
 const onLoad = (flowInstance: FlowInstance) => {
   flowInstance.fitView()
   instance.value = flowInstance
-  console.log(flowInstance.getElements())
+  console.log(flowInstance.getNodes())
 }
 
 const initialElements: Elements = getElements(50, 20)
diff --git a/src/additional-components/MiniMap/MiniMap.vue b/src/additional-components/MiniMap/MiniMap.vue
index bed80348..c6e16811 100644
--- a/src/additional-components/MiniMap/MiniMap.vue
+++ b/src/additional-components/MiniMap/MiniMap.vue
@@ -93,10 +93,8 @@ export default {
   >
     <template v-for="node of store.getNodes" :key="`mini-map-node-${node.id}`">
       <slot
-        :x="node.computedPosition.x"
-        :y="node.computedPosition.y"
-        :width="node.width"
-        :height="node.height"
+        :position="node.computedPosition"
+        :dimensions="node.dimensions"
         :style="node.style"
         :class="nodeClassNameFunc(node)"
         :color="nodeColorFunc(node)"
@@ -106,10 +104,8 @@ export default {
         :shape-rendering="shapeRendering"
       >
         <MiniMapNode
-          :x="node.computedPosition.x"
-          :y="node.computedPosition.y"
-          :width="node.width"
-          :height="node.height"
+          :position="node.computedPosition"
+          :dimensions="node.dimensions"
           :style="node.style"
           :class="nodeClassNameFunc(node)"
           :color="nodeColorFunc(node)"
diff --git a/src/additional-components/MiniMap/MiniMapNode.vue b/src/additional-components/MiniMap/MiniMapNode.vue
index 804bb138..8d1c8b94 100644
--- a/src/additional-components/MiniMap/MiniMapNode.vue
+++ b/src/additional-components/MiniMap/MiniMapNode.vue
@@ -1,17 +1,6 @@
 <script lang="ts" setup>
 import { CSSProperties } from 'vue'
-
-interface MiniMapNodeProps {
-  x?: number
-  y?: number
-  width?: number
-  height?: number
-  borderRadius?: number
-  color?: string
-  shapeRendering?: CSSProperties['shapeRendering']
-  strokeColor?: string
-  strokeWidth?: number
-}
+import type { MiniMapNodeProps } from '../../types/components'
 
 const props = withDefaults(defineProps<MiniMapNodeProps>(), {
   shapeRendering: 'geometricPrecision',
@@ -29,12 +18,12 @@ export default {
 <template>
   <rect
     class="vue-flow__minimap-node"
-    :x="props.x"
-    :y="props.y"
+    :x="props.position.x"
+    :y="props.position.y"
     :rx="props.borderRadius"
     :ry="props.borderRadius"
-    :width="props.width"
-    :height="props.height"
+    :width="props.dimensions.width"
+    :height="props.dimensions.height"
     :fill="fill"
     :stroke="props.strokeColor"
     :stroke-width="props.strokeWidth"
diff --git a/src/components/ConnectionLine/ConnectionLine.vue b/src/components/ConnectionLine/ConnectionLine.vue
index b370cfde..31310c75 100644
--- a/src/components/ConnectionLine/ConnectionLine.vue
+++ b/src/components/ConnectionLine/ConnectionLine.vue
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ const sourceHandle =
   store.connectionHandleId && store.connectionHandleType
     ? props.sourceNode.handleBounds[store.connectionHandleType]?.find((d: HandleElement) => d.id === store.connectionHandleId)
     : store.connectionHandleType && props.sourceNode.handleBounds[store.connectionHandleType ?? 'source']?.[0]
-const sourceHandleX = sourceHandle ? sourceHandle.x + sourceHandle.width / 2 : (props.sourceNode.width as number) / 2
-const sourceHandleY = sourceHandle ? sourceHandle.y + sourceHandle.height / 2 : props.sourceNode.height
+const sourceHandleX = sourceHandle ? sourceHandle.x + sourceHandle.width / 2 : props.sourceNode.dimensions.width / 2
+const sourceHandleY = sourceHandle ? sourceHandle.y + sourceHandle.height / 2 : props.sourceNode.dimensions.height
 const sourceX = props.sourceNode.position.x + sourceHandleX
 const sourceY = props.sourceNode.position.y + sourceHandleY
 
diff --git a/src/components/Nodes/NodeWrapper.vue b/src/components/Nodes/NodeWrapper.vue
index fde6954d..edf84d9b 100644
--- a/src/components/Nodes/NodeWrapper.vue
+++ b/src/components/Nodes/NodeWrapper.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <script lang="ts" setup>
 import { DraggableEventListener, DraggableCore } from '@braks/revue-draggable'
 import { useStore } from '../../composables'
-import { Draggable, GraphNode, NodeDimensionUpdate, SnapGrid, XYPosition } from '../../types'
+import { Draggable, GraphNode, SnapGrid, XYPosition } from '../../types'
 import { NodeId } from '../../context'
 import { calculateXYZPosition, clampPosition, getDimensions, getHandleBounds, isParentSelected } from '../../utils'
 
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ interface NodeWrapperProps {
 }
 
 const props = defineProps<NodeWrapperProps>()
-const emit = defineEmits(['update:modelValue'])
+const emit = defineEmits(['update:node'])
 const node = useVModel(props, 'node', emit)
 const store = useStore()
 provide(NodeId, props.node.id)
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ const onDrag: DraggableEventListener = ({ event, data: { deltaX, deltaY } }) =>
   node.value.dragging = true
   store.hooks.nodeDrag.trigger({ event, node: node.value })
 }
-const onDragStop: DraggableEventListener = ({ event, data: { deltaX, deltaY } }) => {
+const onDragStop: DraggableEventListener = ({ event }) => {
   // onDragStop also gets called when user just clicks on a node.
   // Because of that we set dragging to true inside the onDrag handler and handle the click here
   if (!node.value.dragging) {
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ const onDragStop: DraggableEventListener = ({ event, data: { deltaX, deltaY } })
   store.hooks.nodeDragStop.trigger({ event, node: node.value })
 }
 
-const updateNodePosition = (node: GraphNode, { x, y }: XYPosition) => {
+const updateNodePosition = (node: GraphNode, { x, y }: XYPosition = { x: 0, y: 0 }) => {
   const position = {
     x: node.position.x + x,
     y: node.position.y + y,
@@ -88,13 +88,13 @@ const updateNodePosition = (node: GraphNode, { x, y }: XYPosition) => {
   }
 
   let extent = store.nodeExtent
-  if (node.extent === 'parent' && node.parentNode && node.width && node.height) {
+  if (node.extent === 'parent' && node.parentNode && node.dimensions.width && node.dimensions.height) {
     const parent = node.parentNode
     extent =
-      parent.width && parent.height
+      parent.dimensions.width && parent.dimensions.height
         ? [
             [0, 0],
-            [parent.width - node.width, parent.height - node.height],
+            [parent.dimensions.width - node.dimensions.width, parent.dimensions.height - node.dimensions.height],
           ]
         : extent
   }
@@ -104,43 +104,25 @@ const updateNodePosition = (node: GraphNode, { x, y }: XYPosition) => {
   } else node.computedPosition = { ...node.position, z: position.z }
 }
 
-const updateNodeDimensions = ({ nodeElement, forceUpdate }: NodeDimensionUpdate) => {
-  const dimensions = getDimensions(nodeElement)
-
-  const doUpdate =
-    dimensions.width &&
-    dimensions.height &&
-    (node.value.width !== dimensions.width || node.value.height !== dimensions.height || forceUpdate)
-
-  if (doUpdate) {
-    const handleBounds = getHandleBounds(nodeElement, store.transform[2], store.id)
-
-    node.value = {
-      ...node.value,
-      ...dimensions,
-      handleBounds,
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-onRenderTriggered(() => console.log(node.value.id))
+updateNodePosition(node.value)
 onMounted(() => {
-  nextTick(() => {
-    updateNodeDimensions({
-      id: props.node.id,
-      nodeElement: nodeElement.value,
-      forceUpdate: true,
-    })
+  const dimensions = ref(getDimensions(nodeElement.value))
+  useResizeObserver(nodeElement, () => (dimensions.value = getDimensions(nodeElement.value)))
+  watch(
+    dimensions,
+    ({ width: w, height: h }) => {
+      if (w > 0 && h > 0) {
+        const handleBounds = getHandleBounds(nodeElement.value, store.transform[2], store.id)
 
-    useResizeObserver(nodeElement, (entries) =>
-      entries.forEach((entry) => {
-        updateNodeDimensions({
-          id: entry.target.getAttribute('data-id') as string,
-          nodeElement: entry.target as HTMLDivElement,
-        })
-      }),
-    )
-  })
+        node.value.dimensions = {
+          width: w,
+          height: h,
+        }
+        node.value.handleBounds = handleBounds
+      }
+    },
+    { immediate: true },
+  )
 })
 </script>
 <script lang="ts">
@@ -177,7 +159,7 @@ export default {
         zIndex: node.dragging || selected ? 1000 : node.computedPosition.z,
         transform: `translate(${node.computedPosition.x}px,${node.computedPosition.y}px)`,
         pointerEvents: props.selectable || props.draggable ? 'all' : 'none',
-        opacity: node.width !== null && node.height !== null ? 1 : 0,
+        opacity: node.dimensions.width !== 0 && node.dimensions.height !== 0 ? 1 : 0,
         ...node.style,
       }"
       :data-id="node.id"
diff --git a/src/container/Renderer/Renderer.vue b/src/container/Renderer/Renderer.vue
index 9be14f2b..9ee3cd8d 100644
--- a/src/container/Renderer/Renderer.vue
+++ b/src/container/Renderer/Renderer.vue
@@ -1,17 +1,9 @@
 <script lang="ts" setup>
 import { useStore, useWindow, useZoomPanHelper } from '../../composables'
-import { Elements, FlowInstance } from '../../types'
-import { onLoadGetElements, onLoadProject, onLoadToObject } from '../../utils'
+import { FlowInstance } from '../../types'
+import { onLoadGetEdges, onLoadGetNodes, onLoadProject, onLoadToObject } from '../../utils'
 
-interface RendererProps {
-  elements: Elements
-}
-
-const props = defineProps<RendererProps>()
 const store = useStore()
-
-// if there are preloaded elements we overwrite the current elements with the stored ones and reset the stored elements (so we can properly parse them)
-await store.setElements(props.elements, false)
 store.isReady = true
 
 nextTick(async () => {
@@ -28,7 +20,8 @@ nextTick(async () => {
     zoomTo,
     setTransform,
     project: onLoadProject(store),
-    getElements: onLoadGetElements(store),
+    getNodes: onLoadGetNodes(store),
+    getEdges: onLoadGetEdges(store),
     toObject: onLoadToObject(store),
   }
   store.hooks.load.trigger(instance)
diff --git a/src/container/VueFlow/VueFlow.vue b/src/container/VueFlow/VueFlow.vue
index 97db14c9..9960b7cd 100644
--- a/src/container/VueFlow/VueFlow.vue
+++ b/src/container/VueFlow/VueFlow.vue
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import { createHooks, initFlow } from '../../composables'
 import type { FlowProps } from '../../types/flow'
 
 const props = withDefaults(defineProps<FlowProps>(), {
-  modelValue: () => [],
   snapToGrid: false,
   onlyRenderVisibleElements: false,
   edgesUpdatable: false,
@@ -24,38 +23,15 @@ const props = withDefaults(defineProps<FlowProps>(), {
   panOnScroll: false,
   paneMoveable: true,
 })
-const emit = defineEmits([...Object.keys(createHooks()), 'update:modelValue'])
+const emit = defineEmits([...Object.keys(createHooks()), 'update:nodes', 'update:edges'])
 const store = initFlow(emit, props.id)
-const elements = useVModel(props, 'modelValue', emit)
+const { nodes, edges } = useVModels(props, emit)
 store.setState(props)
 watch(
   () => props,
   () => store.setState(props),
   { flush: 'post', deep: true },
 )
-const { pause: pauseModel, resume: resumeModel } = pausableWatch(
-  () => props.modelValue.length,
-  async () => await store.setElements(elements.value),
-)
-const { pause, resume } = pausableWatch(elements, async (val) => await store.setElements(val), { flush: 'post' })
-
-until(() => store.isReady)
-  .toBe(true)
-  .then(() => {
-    watch(
-      () => store.elements,
-      (val) => {
-        pause()
-        pauseModel()
-        elements.value = val
-        setTimeout(() => {
-          resume()
-          resumeModel()
-        }, 1)
-      },
-      { flush: 'post', deep: true },
-    )
-  })
 </script>
 <script lang="ts">
 export default {
@@ -66,7 +42,7 @@ export default {
   <div class="vue-flow">
     <Suspense timeout="0">
       <template #default>
-        <Renderer :key="`renderer-${store.id}`" :elements="elements">
+        <Renderer :key="`renderer-${store.id}`">
           <ZoomPane :key="`zoom-pane-${store.id}`">
             <template #default="zoomPaneProps">
               <SelectionPane :key="`selection-pane-${store.id}`">
diff --git a/src/store/actions.ts b/src/store/actions.ts
index 5421af0b..c8ef739a 100644
--- a/src/store/actions.ts
+++ b/src/store/actions.ts
@@ -1,15 +1,7 @@
-import { Elements, FlowActions, FlowGetters, FlowState } from '~/types'
-import { getConnectedEdges, getNodesInside, getRectOfNodes, isGraphNode, parseElements, processElements } from '~/utils'
+import { CoordinateExtent, Edge, FlowActions, FlowGetters, FlowState, GraphNode, Node } from '~/types'
+import { getConnectedEdges, getNodesInside, getRectOfNodes, isNode, parseEdge, parseNode } from '~/utils'
 
 export default (state: FlowState, getters: FlowGetters): FlowActions => {
-  const setElements: FlowActions['setElements'] = async (elements, force = true) => {
-    const { nodes, edges } = parseElements(elements, state.elements, state.nodeExtent)
-    if (force) state.elements = []
-    await processElements([...nodes, ...edges], (processed) => {
-      state.elements = [...state.elements, ...processed]
-    })
-    state.hooks.elementsProcessed.trigger(state.elements)
-  }
   const setUserSelection: FlowActions['setUserSelection'] = (mousePos) => {
     state.selectionActive = true
     state.userSelectionRect = {
@@ -26,7 +18,7 @@ export default (state: FlowState, getters: FlowGetters): FlowActions => {
     const startX = state.userSelectionRect.startX
     const startY = state.userSelectionRect.startY
 
-    state.selectedElements?.forEach((el) => isGraphNode(el) && (el.selected = undefined))
+    state.selectedElements?.forEach((el) => isNode(el) && (el.selected = undefined))
     const nextUserSelectRect: FlowState['userSelectionRect'] = {
       ...state.userSelectionRect,
       x: mousePos.x < startX ? mousePos.x : state.userSelectionRect.x,
@@ -38,7 +30,7 @@ export default (state: FlowState, getters: FlowGetters): FlowActions => {
     const selectedEdges = getConnectedEdges(selectedNodes, getters.getEdges.value)
 
     const nextSelectedElements = [...selectedNodes, ...selectedEdges]
-    nextSelectedElements.forEach((el) => isGraphNode(el) && (el.selected = true))
+    nextSelectedElements.forEach((el) => isNode(el) && (el.selected = true))
     state.userSelectionRect = nextUserSelectRect
     state.selectedElements = nextSelectedElements
   }
@@ -103,10 +95,48 @@ export default (state: FlowState, getters: FlowGetters): FlowActions => {
     state.nodesConnectable = isInteractive
     state.elementsSelectable = isInteractive
   }
-  const addElements: FlowActions['addElements'] = (elements: Elements) => {
-    setElements(elements, false)
+  const setNodes = (nodes: Node[], extent: CoordinateExtent) => {
+    const parseChildren = (n: Node, arr: GraphNode[] = []) => {
+      arr.concat(parseNode(n, extent))
+      if (n.children && n.children.length) {
+        n.children.forEach((c) => parseChildren(c))
+      } else {
+        return arr
+      }
+    }
+    nodes = nodes.flatMap((node) => {
+      console.log('flatmap')
+      const parsed = parseNode(node, extent)
+      const children: GraphNode[] = []
+      if (node.children && node.children.length) {
+        node.children.forEach((c) => parseChildren(c, children))
+      }
+      return [parsed, ...children]
+    })
+    state.nodes = <GraphNode[]>nodes
   }
+  const setEdges = (edges: Edge[]) => {
+    state.edges = edges.flatMap((edge) => {
+      const parsed = parseEdge(edge)
+
+      const sourceNode = getters.getNode.value(edge.source)!
+      const targetNode = getters.getNode.value(edge.target)!
+      if (!sourceNode || typeof sourceNode === 'undefined')
+        console.warn(`couldn't create edge for source id: ${edge.source}; edge id: ${edge.id}`)
+      if (!targetNode || typeof targetNode === 'undefined')
+        console.warn(`couldn't create edge for target id: ${edge.target}; edge id: ${edge.id}`)
+
+      return {
+        ...parsed,
+        sourceNode,
+        targetNode,
+      }
+    })
+  }
+
   const setState: FlowActions['setState'] = (opts) => {
+    if (typeof opts.nodes !== 'undefined') setNodes(opts.nodes, opts.nodeExtent ?? state.nodeExtent)
+    if (typeof opts.edges !== 'undefined') setEdges(opts.edges)
     if (typeof opts.loading !== 'undefined') state.loading = opts.loading
     if (typeof opts.panOnScroll !== 'undefined') state.panOnScroll = opts.panOnScroll
     if (typeof opts.panOnScrollMode !== 'undefined') state.panOnScrollMode = opts.panOnScrollMode
@@ -151,7 +181,6 @@ export default (state: FlowState, getters: FlowGetters): FlowActions => {
     }
   }
   return {
-    setElements,
     setUserSelection,
     updateUserSelection,
     unsetUserSelection,
@@ -165,7 +194,6 @@ export default (state: FlowState, getters: FlowGetters): FlowActions => {
     updateSize,
     setConnectionNodeId,
     setInteractive,
-    addElements,
     setState,
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/store/getters.ts b/src/store/getters.ts
index 8c988682..2d9bc1ae 100644
--- a/src/store/getters.ts
+++ b/src/store/getters.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-import { FlowGetters, FlowState, GraphEdge, GraphNode, Node } from '~/types'
-import { defaultEdgeTypes, defaultNodeTypes, getNodesInside, getSourceTargetNodes, isEdge, isGraphNode } from '~/utils'
+import { FlowGetters, FlowState, GraphEdge, GraphNode } from '~/types'
+import { defaultEdgeTypes, defaultNodeTypes, getNodesInside, getSourceTargetNodes, isGraphNode } from '~/utils'
 
 export default (state: FlowState): FlowGetters => {
   const getEdgeTypes = computed(() => {
@@ -20,15 +20,8 @@ export default (state: FlowState): FlowGetters => {
 
   const getNodes = computed<GraphNode[]>(() => {
     if (state.isReady && state.dimensions.width && state.dimensions.height) {
-      console.log('getter')
-      const nodes: GraphNode[] = []
-      const parseNode = (n: Node) => {
-        nodes.push(<GraphNode>n)
-        if (n.children && n.children.length) {
-          n.children.forEach((c) => parseNode(c))
-        }
-      }
-      state.elements.filter((n) => isGraphNode(n) && !n.hidden).forEach((node) => parseNode(<GraphNode>node))
+      console.log('getNodes')
+      const nodes = state.nodes.filter((n) => !n.hidden)
       return state.onlyRenderVisibleElements
         ? nodes &&
             getNodesInside(
@@ -48,9 +41,8 @@ export default (state: FlowState): FlowGetters => {
   })
 
   const getEdges = computed<GraphEdge[]>(() => {
-    const edges = state.elements.filter((e) => isEdge(e) && !e.hidden) as GraphEdge[]
+    const edges = state.edges.filter((e) => !e.hidden)
     if (state.isReady && state.dimensions.width && state.dimensions.height) {
-      console.log('getter2')
       return (
         edges
           .map((edge) => {
@@ -72,7 +64,12 @@ export default (state: FlowState): FlowGetters => {
 
   const getSelectedNodes = computed<GraphNode[]>(() => state.selectedElements?.filter(isGraphNode) ?? [])
 
+  const getNode: FlowGetters['getNode'] = computed(() => (id: string) => state.nodes.find((node) => node.id === id))
+  const getEdge: FlowGetters['getEdge'] = computed(() => (id: string) => state.edges.find((edge) => edge.id === id))
+
   return {
+    getNode,
+    getEdge,
     getEdgeTypes,
     getNodeTypes,
     getEdges,
diff --git a/src/types/components.ts b/src/types/components.ts
index e07fc772..e2ef1df2 100644
--- a/src/types/components.ts
+++ b/src/types/components.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 import { Component, CSSProperties, DefineComponent } from 'vue'
-import { BackgroundVariant, Dimensions, Elements, FitViewParams, FlowOptions, Position, XYPosition } from './flow'
-import { Connection, ConnectionLineType, ConnectionMode } from './connection'
-import { GraphNode, Node, NodeProps, CoordinateExtent } from './node'
+import { BackgroundVariant, Dimensions, FitViewParams, Position, XYPosition } from './flow'
+import { Connection, ConnectionLineType } from './connection'
+import { GraphNode, Node, NodeProps } from './node'
 import { EdgeProps } from './edge'
-import { KeyCode, PanOnScrollMode } from './zoom'
 
 export type DefaultEdgeTypes = { [key in 'default' | 'straight' | 'smoothstep' | 'step']: Component<EdgeProps> }
 export type EdgeTypes = (keyof DefaultEdgeTypes | string)[]
@@ -63,10 +62,8 @@ export interface MiniMapProps {
 }
 
 export interface MiniMapNodeProps {
-  x?: number
-  y?: number
-  width?: number
-  height?: number
+  position: XYPosition
+  dimensions: Dimensions
   borderRadius?: number
   color?: string
   shapeRendering?: CSSProperties['shapeRendering']
@@ -103,43 +100,3 @@ export interface CustomConnectionLineProps {
   sourceNode: GraphNode
   sourceHandle: HandleElement
 }
-
-export interface FlowProps extends FlowOptions {
-  id?: string
-  modelValue?: Elements
-  nodeTypes?: NodeTypes
-  edgeTypes?: EdgeTypes
-  connectionMode?: ConnectionMode
-  connectionLineType?: ConnectionLineType
-  connectionLineStyle?: CSSProperties
-  deleteKeyCode?: KeyCode
-  selectionKeyCode?: KeyCode
-  multiSelectionKeyCode?: KeyCode
-  zoomActivationKeyCode?: KeyCode
-  preventScrolling?: boolean
-  snapToGrid?: boolean
-  snapGrid?: [number, number]
-  onlyRenderVisibleElements?: boolean
-  nodesDraggable?: boolean
-  nodesConnectable?: boolean
-  elementsSelectable?: boolean
-  selectNodesOnDrag?: boolean
-  paneMoveable?: boolean
-  minZoom?: number
-  maxZoom?: number
-  defaultZoom?: number
-  defaultPosition?: [number, number]
-  translateExtent?: CoordinateExtent
-  nodeExtent?: CoordinateExtent
-  arrowHeadColor?: string
-  markerEndId?: string
-  zoomOnScroll?: boolean
-  zoomOnPinch?: boolean
-  panOnScroll?: boolean
-  panOnScrollSpeed?: number
-  panOnScrollMode?: PanOnScrollMode
-  zoomOnDoubleClick?: boolean
-  edgeUpdaterRadius?: number
-  storageKey?: string
-  loading?: string
-}
diff --git a/src/types/flow.ts b/src/types/flow.ts
index 3dd15d70..63a1028b 100644
--- a/src/types/flow.ts
+++ b/src/types/flow.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { CSSProperties } from 'vue'
-import { Edge, GraphEdge } from './edge'
-import { GraphNode, Node, CoordinateExtent } from './node'
+import { GraphEdge, Edge } from './edge'
+import { GraphNode, CoordinateExtent, Node } from './node'
 import { ConnectionLineType, ConnectionMode } from './connection'
 import { KeyCode, PanOnScrollMode } from './zoom'
 import { EdgeTypes, NodeTypes } from './components'
@@ -82,8 +82,9 @@ export type FitViewParams = {
   nodes?: string[]
 }
 
-export type FlowExportObject<T = any> = {
-  elements: FlowElements<T>
+export type FlowExportObject<DataNode = any, DataEdge = DataNode> = {
+  nodes: GraphNode<DataNode>[]
+  edges: GraphEdge<DataEdge>[]
   position: [number, number]
   zoom: number
 }
@@ -96,21 +97,24 @@ export type FlowTransform = {
 
 export type FitViewFunc = (fitViewOptions?: FitViewParams) => void
 export type ProjectFunc = (position: XYPosition) => XYPosition
-export type ToObjectFunc<T = any> = () => FlowExportObject<T>
+export type ToObjectFunc<DataNode = any, DataEdge = DataNode> = () => FlowExportObject<DataNode, DataEdge>
 
-export type FlowInstance<T = any> = {
+export type FlowInstance<DataNode = any, DataEdge = DataNode> = {
   zoomIn: () => void
   zoomOut: () => void
   zoomTo: (zoomLevel: number) => void
   fitView: FitViewFunc
   project: ProjectFunc
-  getElements: () => FlowElements<T>
+  getNodes: () => GraphNode[]
+  getEdges: () => GraphEdge[]
   setTransform: (transform: FlowTransform) => void
-  toObject: ToObjectFunc<T>
+  toObject: ToObjectFunc<DataNode, DataEdge>
 }
 
-export interface FlowProps {
-  modelValue?: Elements
+export interface FlowProps<DataNode = any, DataEdge = DataNode> {
+  nodes: GraphNode<DataNode>[]
+  edges?: GraphEdge<DataEdge>[]
+  elements?: Elements
   id?: string
   nodeTypes?: NodeTypes
   edgeTypes?: EdgeTypes
@@ -150,6 +154,4 @@ export interface FlowProps {
   loading?: string
 }
 
-export interface FlowOptions extends Omit<FlowProps, 'modelValue'> {
-  elements?: Elements
-}
+export type FlowOptions = FlowProps
diff --git a/src/types/node.ts b/src/types/node.ts
index bb86bd66..7db9c187 100644
--- a/src/types/node.ts
+++ b/src/types/node.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { DraggableOptions } from '@braks/revue-draggable'
-import { XYPosition, Position, SnapGrid, Element, XYZPosition } from './flow'
+import { XYPosition, Position, SnapGrid, Element, XYZPosition, Dimensions } from './flow'
 import { HandleElement, ValidConnectionFunc } from './components'
 
 export type CoordinateExtent = [[number, number], [number, number]]
@@ -19,8 +19,7 @@ export interface Node<T = any> extends Element<T> {
   isValidSourcePos?: ValidConnectionFunc
   extent?: 'parent' | CoordinateExtent
   children?: Node[]
-  width?: number
-  height?: number
+  dimensions?: Dimensions
 }
 
 export interface GraphNode<T = any> extends Node<T> {
@@ -33,8 +32,7 @@ export interface GraphNode<T = any> extends Node<T> {
   computedPosition: XYZPosition
   selected?: boolean
   dragging?: boolean
-  width: number
-  height: number
+  dimensions: Dimensions
 }
 
 export interface NodeProps<T = any> extends GraphNode {
@@ -60,5 +58,5 @@ export interface NodeProps<T = any> extends GraphNode {
 export type NodeDimensionUpdate = {
   id: string
   nodeElement: HTMLDivElement
-  forceUpdate?: boolean
+  dimensions: Dimensions
 }
diff --git a/src/types/store.ts b/src/types/store.ts
index 5156082c..ab9713c4 100644
--- a/src/types/store.ts
+++ b/src/types/store.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,9 @@ export interface FlowState extends Omit<FlowOptions, 'elements' | 'id'> {
   hooks: FlowHooks
   instance?: FlowInstance
 
-  elements: FlowElements
+  elements: Elements
+  nodes: GraphNode[]
+  edges: GraphEdge[]
   nodeTypes: NodeTypes
   edgeTypes: EdgeTypes
 
@@ -83,7 +85,6 @@ export interface FlowState extends Omit<FlowOptions, 'elements' | 'id'> {
 }
 
 export interface FlowActions {
-  setElements: (elements: Elements, init?: boolean) => Promise<void>
   setUserSelection: (mousePos: XYPosition) => void
   updateUserSelection: (mousePos: XYPosition) => void
   unsetUserSelection: () => void
@@ -97,7 +98,6 @@ export interface FlowActions {
   updateSize: (size: Dimensions) => void
   setConnectionNodeId: (payload: SetConnectionId) => void
   setInteractive: (isInteractive: boolean) => void
-  addElements: (elements: Elements) => void
   setState: (state: Partial<FlowOptions>) => void
 }
 
@@ -106,6 +106,8 @@ export interface FlowGetters {
   getNodeTypes: ComputedRef<Record<string, NodeComponent>>
   getNodes: ComputedRef<GraphNode[]>
   getEdges: ComputedRef<GraphEdge[]>
+  getNode: ComputedRef<(id: string) => GraphNode | undefined>
+  getEdge: ComputedRef<(id: string) => GraphEdge | undefined>
   getSelectedNodes: ComputedRef<GraphNode[]>
 }
 
diff --git a/src/utils/edge.ts b/src/utils/edge.ts
index a777d496..abf7906d 100644
--- a/src/utils/edge.ts
+++ b/src/utils/edge.ts
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ import { Edge, EdgePositions, GraphNode, HandleElement, Position, Transform, XYP
 export function getHandlePosition(position: Position, node: GraphNode, handle?: HandleElement): XYPosition {
   const x = (handle?.x ?? 0) + node.position.x
   const y = (handle?.y ?? 0) + node.position.y
-  const width = handle?.width ?? node.width
-  const height = handle?.height ?? node.height
+  const width = handle?.width ?? node.dimensions.width
+  const height = handle?.height ?? node.dimensions.height
 
   switch (position) {
     case Position.Top:
diff --git a/src/utils/graph.ts b/src/utils/graph.ts
index 53ece147..205de3df 100644
--- a/src/utils/graph.ts
+++ b/src/utils/graph.ts
@@ -169,8 +169,10 @@ export const parseNode = (node: Node, nodeExtent: CoordinateExtent): GraphNode =
   ...node,
   id: node.id.toString(),
   type: node.type ?? 'default',
-  width: 0,
-  height: 0,
+  dimensions: {
+    width: 0,
+    height: 0,
+  },
   handleBounds: {
     source: [],
     target: [],
@@ -179,6 +181,7 @@ export const parseNode = (node: Node, nodeExtent: CoordinateExtent): GraphNode =
     z: typeof node.style?.zIndex === 'string' ? parseInt(node.style?.zIndex) : node.style?.zIndex ?? 0,
     ...clampPosition(node.position, nodeExtent),
   },
+  isParent: !!(node.children && node.children.length),
   dragging: false,
 })
 
@@ -219,13 +222,12 @@ export const getBoundsofRects = (rect1: Rect, rect2: Rect) => boxToRect(getBound
 
 export const getRectOfNodes = (nodes: GraphNode[]) => {
   const box = nodes.reduce(
-    (currBox, { position = { x: 0, y: 0 }, width = 0, height = 0 } = {} as any) =>
+    (currBox, { position = { x: 0, y: 0 }, dimensions = { width: 0, height: 0 } } = {} as any) =>
       getBoundsOfBoxes(
         currBox,
         rectToBox({
           ...position,
-          width,
-          height,
+          ...dimensions,
         }),
       ),
     { x: Infinity, y: Infinity, x2: -Infinity, y2: -Infinity },
@@ -249,13 +251,13 @@ export const getNodesInside = (nodes: GraphNode[], rect: Rect, [tx, ty, tScale]:
 
   return nodes.filter((node) => {
     if (!node || node.selectable === false) return false
-    const { position = { x: 0, y: 0 }, width = 0, height = 0, dragging = false } = node
-    const nBox = rectToBox({ ...position, width, height } as any)
+    const { position = { x: 0, y: 0 }, dimensions = { width: 0, height: 0 }, dragging = false } = node
+    const nBox = rectToBox({ ...position, ...dimensions })
     const xOverlap = Math.max(0, Math.min(rBox.x2, nBox.x2) - Math.max(rBox.x, nBox.x))
     const yOverlap = Math.max(0, Math.min(rBox.y2, nBox.y2) - Math.max(rBox.y, nBox.y))
     const overlappingArea = Math.ceil(xOverlap * yOverlap)
 
-    if (width === null || height === null || dragging) {
+    if (dimensions.width === null || dimensions.height === null || dragging) {
       // nodes are initialized with width and height = null
       return true
     }
@@ -264,7 +266,7 @@ export const getNodesInside = (nodes: GraphNode[], rect: Rect, [tx, ty, tScale]:
       return overlappingArea > 0
     }
 
-    const area = width * height
+    const area = dimensions.width * dimensions.height
 
     return overlappingArea >= area
   })
@@ -275,7 +277,8 @@ export const getConnectedEdges = (nodes: GraphNode[], edges: GraphEdge[]) => {
   return edges.filter((edge) => nodeIds.includes(edge.source) || nodeIds.includes(edge.target))
 }
 
-export const onLoadGetElements = (currentStore: FlowStore) => (): FlowElements => currentStore.elements
+export const onLoadGetNodes = (currentStore: FlowStore) => (): FlowElements => currentStore.nodes
+export const onLoadGetEdges = (currentStore: FlowStore) => (): FlowElements => currentStore.edges
 
 export const onLoadToObject = (currentStore: FlowState) => (): FlowExportObject => {
   // we have to stringify/parse so objects containing refs (like nodes and edges) can potentially be saved in a storage
diff --git a/src/utils/store.ts b/src/utils/store.ts
index 23d42dc9..88193a32 100644
--- a/src/utils/store.ts
+++ b/src/utils/store.ts
@@ -16,16 +16,20 @@ export const defaultEdgeTypes: DefaultEdgeTypes = {
 }
 
 export const initialState = (): FlowState => ({
+  elements: [],
+  nodes: [],
+  edges: [],
+  nodeTypes: [],
+  edgeTypes: [],
+
   isReady: false,
   instance: undefined,
+
   dimensions: {
     width: 0,
     height: 0,
   },
   transform: [0, 0, 1],
-  elements: [],
-  nodeTypes: [],
-  edgeTypes: [],
   selectedElements: undefined,
   selectedNodesBbox: { x: 0, y: 0, width: 0, height: 0 },