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Understand Asset Locking

Asset locking automatically prevents editing conflicts when multiple people work on the same project. When you select or edit something, Mito lets your teammates know it's in use.

How It Works​

Automatic protection

  • Selecting an asset automatically locks it for you
  • Other teammates see a visual indicator that you're editing
  • Locks release automatically when you're done

Visual feedback

  • Locked assets show a colored badge with the person's name
  • The badge appears above the element being edited
  • Your own selections don't show lock badges (you see normal selection)

What Gets Locked​

Canvas elements:

  • Text nodes when you're editing content
  • Image assets when selected or being moved
  • Any asset while it's actively selected

Storyboard elements:

  • Scene fields when you click to edit
  • Duration, narrative, or other editable fields
  • Individual cells while typing or making changes

Lock Duration​

Locks are temporary and release automatically:

  • Canvas assets: Released when you deselect the element
  • Text editing: Released when you click elsewhere or press Escape
  • Storyboard fields: Released when you finish typing and click away

Working Around Locks​

If something is locked by a teammate:

  1. Wait for them to finish — Most edits are quick
  2. See who's editing by looking at the name badge
  3. Work on something else while they complete their changes
  4. Communicate directly if you need urgent access

The element becomes available when:

  • The teammate deselects it
  • They move to editing something else
  • They leave the project or become inactive

Lock Indicators​

What you see when others are editing:

  • Colored badge above the locked element
  • Person's name showing who's currently editing
  • Disabled interaction — you can't select or modify the element

What others see when you're editing:

  • Your colored badge appears above the element
  • Your name shows in the editing indicator
  • The element becomes unselectable for them

Best Practices​

For smooth collaboration:

  • Keep edits brief — Make your changes and move on
  • Release locks quickly by clicking away when done
  • Communicate intentions if you need extended time with an element
  • Work in different areas to minimize lock conflicts

If you're interrupted:

  • Click away to release locks so teammates can continue
  • Use comment threads to save your thoughts
  • Return to your work when convenient

💡 How Mito teams use this: We coordinate in team chat when someone needs to make extensive edits to a specific area. The person working says "editing the hero section for the next few minutes" so others know to focus elsewhere.

Multiple Selections​

When you select multiple assets:

  • All selected assets get locked simultaneously
  • Individual badges appear on each locked element
  • Batch operations (like moving multiple items) are protected

Troubleshooting​

Element seems permanently locked?

  • The person editing might have stepped away
  • Try refreshing the page to clear stale locks
  • Contact the person if the lock persists

Can't tell who's editing something?

  • Look for the colored badge and name above the element
  • Check the avatar stack to see who's currently active
  • The badge shows the exact person currently editing

Locks releasing too quickly?

  • This is normal behavior—locks are designed to be temporary
  • For longer work sessions, communicate with your team
  • Consider working on a duplicate if you need extended access

Lock Types​

Canvas locks:

  • Asset selection locks (for moving, resizing, deleting)
  • Text editing locks (for content changes)
  • Multi-selection locks (for batch operations)

Storyboard locks:

  • Field editing locks (for narrative, duration, etc.)
  • Individual cell locks (per scene and field combination)

What's Next​

Learn more about coordinating with your team: