diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/ImportDialog.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/ImportDialog.js
index c253512d..391a9213 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/ImportDialog.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/ImportDialog.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import React from 'react'
 import ReactDOM from 'react-dom'
 import outdent from 'outdent'
 
-import ImportDialogBox from '../../routes/MapView/ImportDialogBox'
+import ImportDialogBox from '../../components/ImportDialogBox'
 
 import PasteInput from '../PasteInput'
 import Map from '../Map'
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/ReactApp.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/ReactApp.js
index 6237f08a..62b5c441 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/ReactApp.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/GlobalUI/ReactApp.js
@@ -2,10 +2,13 @@
 
 import React from 'react'
 import ReactDOM from 'react-dom'
+import { createStore } from 'redux'
+import { Provider } from 'react-redux'
 import { Router, browserHistory } from 'react-router'
 import { merge } from 'lodash'
 import apply from 'async/apply'
 
+import reducers from '../../reducers'
 import { notifyUser } from './index.js'
 import ImportDialog from './ImportDialog'
 import Notifications from './Notifications'
@@ -21,6 +24,11 @@ import Visualize from '../Visualize'
 import makeRoutes from '../../routes/makeRoutes'
 let routes
 
+let store = createStore(
+  reducers,
+  window.__REDUX_DEVTOOLS_EXTENSION__ && window.__REDUX_DEVTOOLS_EXTENSION__()
+)
+
 // 220 wide + 16 padding on both sides
 const MAP_WIDTH = 252
 const MOBILE_VIEW_BREAKPOINT = 504
@@ -92,12 +100,15 @@ const ReactApp = {
   render: function() {
     const self = ReactApp
     const createElement = (Component, props) => <Component {...props} {...self.getProps()}/>
-    const app = <Router createElement={createElement} routes={routes} history={browserHistory} onUpdate={self.handleUpdate} />
+    const app = <Provider store={store}>
+      <Router createElement={createElement} routes={routes} history={browserHistory} onUpdate={self.handleUpdate} />
+    </Provider>
     ReactDOM.render(app, document.getElementById('react-app'))
   },
   getProps: function() {
     const self = ReactApp
     return merge({
+      DataModel: DataModel,
       unreadNotificationsCount: Notifications.unreadNotificationsCount,
       currentUser: Active.Mapper,
       toast: self.toast,
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/JIT.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/JIT.js
index 1c50256c..02162d15 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/JIT.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/JIT.js
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ const JIT = {
     zoom: 'Metamaps:JIT:events:zoom',
     animationDone: 'Metamaps:JIT:events:animationDone'
   },
-  vizData: [], // contains the visualization-compatible graph
   /**
    * This method will bind the event handlers it is interested and initialize the class.
    */
@@ -55,8 +54,6 @@ const JIT = {
    */
   convertModelsToJIT: function(topics, synapses) {
     const jitReady = []
-
-    const synapsesToRemove = []
     let mapping
     let node
     const nodes = {}
@@ -70,11 +67,7 @@ const JIT = {
     })
     synapses.each(function(s) {
       edge = s.createEdge()
-
-      if (topics.get(s.get('topic1_id')) === undefined || topics.get(s.get('topic2_id')) === undefined) {
-        // this means it's an invalid synapse
-        synapsesToRemove.push(s)
-      } else if (nodes[edge.nodeFrom] && nodes[edge.nodeTo]) {
+      if (nodes[edge.nodeFrom] && nodes[edge.nodeTo]) {
         existingEdge = _.find(edges, {
           nodeFrom: edge.nodeFrom,
           nodeTo: edge.nodeTo
@@ -103,29 +96,8 @@ const JIT = {
       jitReady.push(node)
     })
 
-    return [jitReady, synapsesToRemove]
+    return jitReady
   },
-  prepareVizData: function() {
-    const self = JIT
-    let mapping
-    self.vizData = []
-    Visualize.loadLater = false
-    const results = self.convertModelsToJIT(DataModel.Topics, DataModel.Synapses)
-    self.vizData = results[0]
-    // clean up the synapses array in case of any faulty data
-    _.each(results[1], function(synapse) {
-      mapping = synapse.getMapping()
-      DataModel.Synapses.remove(synapse)
-      if (DataModel.Mappings) DataModel.Mappings.remove(mapping)
-    })
-    if (self.vizData.length === 0) {
-      Map.setHasLearnedTopicCreation(false)
-      Visualize.loadLater = true
-    } else {
-      Map.setHasLearnedTopicCreation(true)
-    }
-    Visualize.render()
-  }, // prepareVizData
   edgeRender: function(adj, canvas) {
     // get nodes cartesian coordinates
     const pos = adj.nodeFrom.pos.getc(true)
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Map/index.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Map/index.js
index f337d1d0..52271250 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Map/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Map/index.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* global $ */
 
 import outdent from 'outdent'
-import { find as _find } from 'lodash'
+import _, { find as _find } from 'lodash'
 import { browserHistory } from 'react-router'
 
 import Active from '../Active'
@@ -89,12 +89,31 @@ const Map = {
     }
     ReactApp.render()
   },
+  cleanUpSynapses: function () {
+    const synapsesToRemove = []
+    const topics = DataModel.Topics
+    DataModel.Synapses.each(function(s) {
+      if (topics.get(s.get('topic1_id')) === undefined || topics.get(s.get('topic2_id')) === undefined) {
+        // this means it's an invalid synapse
+        synapsesToRemove.push(s)
+      }
+    })
+    // clean up the synapses array in case of any faulty data
+    _.each(synapsesToRemove, function(synapse) {
+      mapping = synapse.getMapping()
+      DataModel.Synapses.remove(synapse)
+      if (DataModel.Mappings) DataModel.Mappings.remove(mapping)
+    })
+  },
   launch: function(id) {
     const self = Map
     var dataIsReadySetupMap = function() {
+      if (DataModel.Topics.length === 0) {
+        Map.setHasLearnedTopicCreation(false)
+      } else {
+        Map.setHasLearnedTopicCreation(true)
+      }
       Map.setAccessRequest()
-      Visualize.type = 'ForceDirected'
-      JIT.prepareVizData()
       Selected.reset()
       InfoBox.load()
       Filter.reset()
@@ -127,6 +146,7 @@ const Map = {
           DataModel.Mappings = new DataModel.MappingCollection(data.mappings)
           DataModel.Messages = data.messages
           DataModel.Stars = data.stars
+          Map.cleanUpSynapses()
           DataModel.attachCollectionEvents()
           self.requests = data.requests
           isLoaded()
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Visualize.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Visualize.js
index d8d10aa9..bc93c2ec 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Visualize.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Visualize.js
@@ -11,13 +11,12 @@ import Loading from './Loading'
 import TopicCard from './Views/TopicCard'
 
 const Visualize = {
-  mGraph: null, // a reference to the graph object.
-  type: 'ForceDirected', // the type of graph we're building, could be "RGraph", "ForceDirected"
-  loadLater: false, // indicates whether there is JSON that should be loaded right in the offset, or whether to wait till the first topic is created
   init: function(serverData) {
     var self = Visualize
 
-    if (serverData.VisualizeType) self.type = serverData.VisualizeType
+    $jit.RGraph.Plot.NodeTypes.implement(JIT.ForceDirected.nodeSettings)
+    $jit.RGraph.Plot.EdgeTypes.implement(JIT.ForceDirected.edgeSettings)
+
 
     // disable awkward dragging of the canvas element that would sometimes happen
     $('#infovis-canvas').on('dragstart', function(event) {
@@ -39,58 +38,32 @@ const Visualize = {
   computePositions: function() {
     const self = Visualize
 
-    if (self.type === 'RGraph') {
-      let i
-      let l
+    // for RGraph
+    let i
+    let l
 
-      self.mGraph.graph.eachNode(function(n) {
-        const topic = DataModel.Topics.get(n.id)
-        topic.set({ node: n }, { silent: true })
-        topic.updateNode()
+    self.mGraph.graph.eachNode(function(n) {
+      const topic = DataModel.Topics.get(n.id)
+      topic.set({ node: n }, { silent: true })
+      topic.updateNode()
 
-        n.eachAdjacency(function(edge) {
-          if (!edge.getData('init')) {
-            edge.setData('init', true)
+      n.eachAdjacency(function(edge) {
+        if (!edge.getData('init')) {
+          edge.setData('init', true)
 
-            l = edge.getData('synapseIDs').length
-            for (i = 0; i < l; i++) {
-              const synapse = DataModel.Synapses.get(edge.getData('synapseIDs')[i])
-              synapse.set({ edge: edge }, { silent: true })
-              synapse.updateEdge()
-            }
+          l = edge.getData('synapseIDs').length
+          for (i = 0; i < l; i++) {
+            const synapse = DataModel.Synapses.get(edge.getData('synapseIDs')[i])
+            synapse.set({ edge: edge }, { silent: true })
+            synapse.updateEdge()
           }
-        })
-
-        var pos = n.getPos()
-        pos.setc(-200, -200)
+        }
       })
-      self.mGraph.compute('end')
-    } else if (self.type === 'ForceDirected') {
-      self.mGraph.graph.eachNode(function(n) {
-        const topic = DataModel.Topics.get(n.id)
-        topic.set({ node: n }, { silent: true })
-        topic.updateNode()
-        const mapping = topic.getMapping()
 
-        n.eachAdjacency(function(edge) {
-          if (!edge.getData('init')) {
-            edge.setData('init', true)
-
-            const l = edge.getData('synapseIDs').length
-            for (let i = 0; i < l; i++) {
-              const synapse = DataModel.Synapses.get(edge.getData('synapseIDs')[i])
-              synapse.set({ edge: edge }, { silent: true })
-              synapse.updateEdge()
-            }
-          }
-        })
-
-        const startPos = new $jit.Complex(0, 0)
-        const endPos = new $jit.Complex(mapping.get('xloc'), mapping.get('yloc'))
-        n.setPos(startPos, 'start')
-        n.setPos(endPos, 'end')
-      })
-    }
+      var pos = n.getPos()
+      pos.setc(-200, -200)
+    })
+    self.mGraph.compute('end')
   },
   /**
    * render does the heavy lifting of creating the engine that renders the graph with the properties we desire
@@ -98,92 +71,12 @@ const Visualize = {
    */
   render: function() {
     const self = Visualize
-
-    if (self.type === 'RGraph') {
-      // clear the previous canvas from #infovis
-      $('#infovis').empty()
-
-      const RGraphSettings = $.extend(true, {}, JIT.ForceDirected.graphSettings)
-
-      $jit.RGraph.Plot.NodeTypes.implement(JIT.ForceDirected.nodeSettings)
-      $jit.RGraph.Plot.EdgeTypes.implement(JIT.ForceDirected.edgeSettings)
-
-      RGraphSettings.width = $(document).width()
-      RGraphSettings.height = $(document).height()
-      RGraphSettings.background = JIT.RGraph.background
-      RGraphSettings.levelDistance = JIT.RGraph.levelDistance
-
-      self.mGraph = new $jit.RGraph(RGraphSettings)
-    } else if (self.type === 'ForceDirected') {
-      // clear the previous canvas from #infovis
-      $('#infovis').empty()
-
-      const FDSettings = $.extend(true, {}, JIT.ForceDirected.graphSettings)
-
-      $jit.ForceDirected.Plot.NodeTypes.implement(JIT.ForceDirected.nodeSettings)
-      $jit.ForceDirected.Plot.EdgeTypes.implement(JIT.ForceDirected.edgeSettings)
-
-      FDSettings.width = $('body').width()
-      FDSettings.height = $('body').height()
-
-      self.mGraph = new $jit.ForceDirected(FDSettings)
-    } else {
-      self.mGraph.graph.empty()
-    }
-
-    function runAnimation() {
-      Loading.hide()
-      // load JSON data, if it's not empty
-      if (!self.loadLater) {
-        // load JSON data.
-        var rootIndex = 0
-        if (Active.Topic) {
-          var node = _.find(JIT.vizData, function(node) {
-            return node.id === Active.Topic.id
-          })
-          rootIndex = _.indexOf(JIT.vizData, node)
-        }
-        self.mGraph.loadJSON(JIT.vizData, rootIndex)
-        // compute positions and plot.
-        self.computePositions()
-        self.mGraph.busy = true
-        if (self.type === 'RGraph') {
-          self.mGraph.fx.animate(JIT.RGraph.animate)
-        } else if (self.type === 'ForceDirected') {
-          self.mGraph.animate(JIT.ForceDirected.animateSavedLayout)
-        }
-      }
-    }
-    // hold until all the needed metacode images are loaded
-    // hold for a maximum of 80 passes, or 4 seconds of waiting time
-    var tries = 0
-    function hold() {
-      const unique = _.uniq(DataModel.Topics.models, function(metacode) { return metacode.get('metacode_id') })
-      const requiredMetacodes = _.map(unique, function(metacode) { return metacode.get('metacode_id') })
-      let loadedCount = 0
-
-      _.each(requiredMetacodes, function(metacodeId) {
-        const metacode = DataModel.Metacodes.get(metacodeId)
-        const img = metacode ? metacode.get('image') : false
-
-        if (img && (img.complete || (typeof img.naturalWidth !== 'undefined' && img.naturalWidth !== 0))) {
-          loadedCount += 1
-        }
-      })
-
-      if (loadedCount === requiredMetacodes.length || tries > 80) {
-        runAnimation()
-      } else {
-        setTimeout(function() { tries++; hold() }, 50)
-      }
-    }
-    hold()
-  },
-  clearVisualization: function() {
-    Visualize.mGraph.graph.empty()
-    Visualize.mGraph.plot()
-    JIT.centerMap(Visualize.mGraph.canvas)
-    $('#infovis').empty()
+    const RGraphSettings = $.extend(true, {}, JIT.ForceDirected.graphSettings)
+    RGraphSettings.width = $(document).width()
+    RGraphSettings.height = $(document).height()
+    RGraphSettings.background = JIT.RGraph.background
+    RGraphSettings.levelDistance = JIT.RGraph.levelDistance
+    self.mGraph = new $jit.RGraph(RGraphSettings)
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/actions/constants.js b/frontend/src/actions/constants.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2a2978cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/actions/constants.js
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+export const OPEN_CHAT = 'OPEN_CHAT'
+export const CLOSE_CHAT = 'CLOSE_CHAT'
+export const CREATE_MESSAGE = 'CREATE_MESSAGE'
+
+export const OPEN_NOTIFICATIONS = 'OPEN_NOTIFICATIONS'
+export const CLOSE_NOTIFICATIONS = 'CLOSE_NOTIFICATIONS'
+export const MARK_NOTIFICATION_READ = 'MARK_NOTIFICATION_READ'
+export const MARK_NOTIFICATION_UNREAD = 'MARK_NOTIFICATION_UNREAD'
+
+export const OPEN_ACCOUNT_MENU = 'OPEN_ACCOUNT_MENU'
+export const CLOSE_ACCOUNT_MENU = 'CLOSE_ACCOUNT_MENU'
+export const STAR_MAP = 'STAR_MAP'
+export const UNSTAR_MAP = 'UNSTAR_MAP'
+export const FOLLOW_MAP = 'FOLLOW_MAP'
+export const UNFOLLOW_MAP = 'UNFOLLOW_MAP'
+export const FOLLOW_TOPIC = 'FOLLOW_TOPIC'
+export const UNFOLLOW_TOPIC = 'UNFOLLOW_TOPIC'
+
+export const PIN_CREATE_TOPIC = 'PIN_CREATE_TOPIC_OPEN'
+export const UNPIN_CREATE_TOPIC = 'UNPIN_CREATE_TOPIC'
+export const OPEN_CREATE_TOPIC = 'OPEN_CREATE_TOPIC'
+export const CLOSE_CREATE_TOPIC = 'CLOSE_CREATE_TOPIC'
+export const CREATE_TOPIC = 'CREATE_TOPIC'
+export const UPDATE_TOPIC = 'UPDATE_TOPIC'
+
+export const OPEN_CREATE_SYNAPSE = 'OPEN_CREATE_SYNAPSE'
+export const CLOSE_CREATE_SYNAPSE = 'CLOSE_CREATE_SYNAPSE'
+export const CREATE_SYNAPSE = 'CREATE_SYNAPSE'
+export const UPDATE_SYNAPSE = 'UPDATE_SYNAPSE'
+
+export const UPDATE_METACODE_SET = 'UPDATE_METACODE_SET'
+export const MAKE_SELECTION = 'MAKE_SELECTION'
+export const HIDE_SELECTED = 'HIDE_SELECTED'
+export const REMOVE_SELECTED = 'REMOVE_SELECTED'
+export const DELETE_SELECTED = 'DELETE_SELECTED'
+export const CHANGE_PERMISSION_SELECTED = 'CHANGE_PERMISSION_SELECTED'
+export const CHANGE_METACODE_SELECTED = 'CHANGE_METACODE_SELECTED'
+
+export const OPEN_TOPIC_CARD = 'OPEN_TOPIC_CARD'
+export const CLOSE_TOPIC_CARD = 'CLOSE_TOPIC_CARD'
+
+export const OPEN_SYNAPSE_CARD = 'OPEN_SYNAPSE_CARD'
+export const CLOSE_SYNAPSE_CARD = 'CLOSE_SYNAPSE_CARD'
+
+export const OPEN_METACODE_SET_SELECT = 'OPEN_METACODE_SET_SELECT'
+export const CLOSE_METACODE_SET_SELECT = 'CLOSE_METACODE_SET_SELECT'
+export const SELECT_METACODE_SET = 'SELECT_METACODE_SET'
+
+export const OPEN_MAP_INFO_BOX = 'OPEN_MAP_INFO_BOX'
+export const CLOSE_MAP_INFO_BOX = 'CLOSE_MAP_INFO_BOX'
+export const UPDATE_MAP = 'UPDATE_MAP'
+
+export const OPEN_HELP = 'OPEN_HELP'
+export const CLOSE_HELP = 'CLOSE_HELP'
+
+export const MAP_CENTER_VIEW = 'MAP_CENTER_VIEW'
+export const MAP_ZOOM_IN = 'MAP_ZOOM_IN'
+export const MAP_ZOOM_OUT = 'MAP_ZOOM_OUT'
+
+export const MAP_DISABLE_SOUND = 'MAP_DISABLE_SOUND'
+export const MAP_ENABLE_SOUND = 'MAP_ENABLE_SOUND'
+
+export const MAP_DISABLE_CURSOR = 'MAP_DISABLE_CURSOR'
+export const MAP_ENABLE_CURSOR = 'MAP_ENABLE_CURSOR'
+
+export const MAP_HIDE_VIDEOS = 'MAP_HIDE_VIDEOS'
+export const MAP_UNHIDE_VIDEOS = 'MAP_UNHIDE_VIDEOS'
+
+export const OPEN_IMPORT_DIALOGUE = 'OPEN_IMPORT_DIALOGUE'
+export const CLOSE_IMPORT_DIALOGUE = 'CLOSE_IMPORT_DIALOGUE'
+
+export const OPEN_FILTERS = 'OPEN_FILTERS'
+export const CLOSE_FILTERS = 'CLOSE_FILTERS'
+
+export const FILTER_ALL_PEOPLE = 'FILTER_ALL_PEOPLE'
+export const FILTER_NO_PEOPLE = 'FILTER_NO_PEOPLE'
+export const FILTER_HIDE_PERSON = 'FILTER_HIDE_PERSON'
+export const FILTER_SHOW_PERSON = 'FILTER_SHOW_PERSON'
+
+export const FILTER_ALL_METACODES = 'FILTER_ALL_METACODES'
+export const FILTER_NO_METACODES = 'FILTER_NO_METACODES'
+export const FILTER_HIDE_METACODE = 'FILTER_HIDE_METACODE'
+export const FILTER_SHOW_METACODE = 'FILTER_SHOW_METACODE'
+
+export const FILTER_ALL_SYNAPSES = 'FILTER_ALL_SYNAPSES'
+export const FILTER_NO_SYNAPSES = 'FILTER_NO_SYNAPSES'
+export const FILTER_HIDE_SYNAPSE = 'FILTER_HIDE_SYNAPSE'
+export const FILTER_SHOW_SYNAPSE = 'FILTER_SHOW_SYNAPSE'
+
+export const OPEN_FORK_MAP = 'OPEN_FORK_MAP'
+export const CLOSE_FORK_MAP = 'CLOSE_FORK_MAP'
+
+export const RIGHT_CLICK_ON_NODE = 'RIGHT_CLICK_ON_NODE'
+export const RIGHT_CLICK_ON_EDGE = 'RIGHT_CLICK_ON_EDGE'
+
+export const MAP_REQUEST_ACCESS = 'MAP_REQUEST_ACCESS'
diff --git a/frontend/src/actions/index.js b/frontend/src/actions/index.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f834b0f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/actions/index.js
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import * as c from './constants'
+
+export const openChat = () => {
+  return {
+    type: c.OPEN_CHAT
+  }
+}
+
+export const closeChat = () => {
+  return {
+    type: c.CLOSE_CHAT
+  }
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/DataVis.js b/frontend/src/components/DataVis.js
deleted file mode 100644
index f39bdd7f..00000000
--- a/frontend/src/components/DataVis.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-import React, { Component } from 'react'
-import PropTypes from 'prop-types'
-
-class DataVis extends Component {
-  static propTypes = {
-  }
-
-  render () {
-    return <div id="infovis" />
-  }
-}
-
-export default DataVis
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/ImportDialogBox.js b/frontend/src/components/ImportDialogBox.js
similarity index 100%
rename from frontend/src/routes/MapView/ImportDialogBox.js
rename to frontend/src/components/ImportDialogBox.js
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/InfoAndHelp.js b/frontend/src/components/InfoAndHelp.js
index e6bc01d8..d7202dcb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/InfoAndHelp.js
+++ b/frontend/src/components/InfoAndHelp.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import React, { Component } from 'react'
 import PropTypes from 'prop-types'
 
-import MapInfoBox from '../routes/MapView/MapInfoBox'
+import MapInfoBox from './MapInfoBox'
 
 class InfoAndHelp extends Component {
   static propTypes = {
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/Instructions.js b/frontend/src/components/Instructions.js
similarity index 100%
rename from frontend/src/routes/MapView/Instructions.js
rename to frontend/src/components/Instructions.js
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/Message.js b/frontend/src/components/MapChat/Message.js
similarity index 96%
rename from frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/Message.js
rename to frontend/src/components/MapChat/Message.js
index e4caf3ce..7cfe9ff2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/Message.js
+++ b/frontend/src/components/MapChat/Message.js
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import React from 'react'
 import Autolinker from 'autolinker'
-import Util from '../../../Metamaps/Util'
+import Util from '../../Metamaps/Util'
 
 const linker = new Autolinker({ newWindow: true, truncate: 50, email: false, phone: false })
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/NewMessage.js b/frontend/src/components/MapChat/NewMessage.js
similarity index 100%
rename from frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/NewMessage.js
rename to frontend/src/components/MapChat/NewMessage.js
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/Participant.js b/frontend/src/components/MapChat/Participant.js
similarity index 100%
rename from frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/Participant.js
rename to frontend/src/components/MapChat/Participant.js
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/Unread.js b/frontend/src/components/MapChat/Unread.js
similarity index 100%
rename from frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/Unread.js
rename to frontend/src/components/MapChat/Unread.js
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/index.js b/frontend/src/components/MapChat/index.js
similarity index 99%
rename from frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/index.js
rename to frontend/src/components/MapChat/index.js
index 1334d479..408f5d25 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapChat/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/components/MapChat/index.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import Unread from './Unread'
 import Participant from './Participant'
 import Message from './Message'
 import NewMessage from './NewMessage'
-import Util from '../../../Metamaps/Util'
+import Util from '../../Metamaps/Util'
 
 function makeList(messages) {
   let currentHeader
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapInfoBox.js b/frontend/src/components/MapInfoBox.js
similarity index 100%
rename from frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapInfoBox.js
rename to frontend/src/components/MapInfoBox.js
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/MapVis.js b/frontend/src/components/MapVis.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1bb8d2e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/MapVis.js
@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
+/* global $ */
+
+import _ from 'lodash'
+import React, { Component } from 'react'
+import PropTypes from 'prop-types'
+import $jit from '../patched/JIT'
+import JIT from '../Metamaps/JIT'
+
+// There would be separate one of these for mapview and topicview
+
+/*
+it could use the diffing intelligently to know when you
+update the visualization
+
+// JIT MORPH to move between states?
+
+use componentDidUpdate to check for differences in
+- topic list, synapse list, mapping list, etc
+- use that info to intelligently update and animate the viz.
+
+basically port everything from VISUALIZE module over into here
+
+it should dynamically generate and pass in callbacks to the visualization
+*/
+
+class MapVis extends Component {
+  static propTypes = {
+    DataModel: PropTypes.object,
+    filters: PropTypes.array,
+    selectedNodes: PropTypes.array,
+    selectedEdges: PropTypes.array,
+    onSelect: PropTypes.func,
+    onPan: PropTypes.func,
+    onZoom: PropTypes.func,
+    onDrawSelectBox: PropTypes.func
+  }
+
+  constructor(props) {
+    super(props)
+    this.jitGraph = null
+    this.vizData = null
+    this.state = {
+      loading: true
+    }
+  }
+
+  componentDidMount() {
+    $jit.ForceDirected.Plot.NodeTypes.implement(JIT.ForceDirected.nodeSettings)
+    $jit.ForceDirected.Plot.EdgeTypes.implement(JIT.ForceDirected.edgeSettings)
+  }
+
+  componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
+    const { map, DataModel } = this.props
+    const prevMap = prevProps.map
+    const prevDataModel = prevProps.DataModel
+    if (DataModel) {
+      if (map !== prevMap) {
+        this.initialize()
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  initialize() {
+    const { DataModel } = this.props
+    this.createJitGraph()
+    this.vizData = JIT.convertModelsToJIT(DataModel.Topics, DataModel.Synapses)
+    this.waitForMetacodesThenLoad()
+  }
+
+  divMounted(div) {
+    console.log(div)
+  }
+
+  createJitGraph() {
+    const FDSettings = $.extend(true, {}, JIT.ForceDirected.graphSettings)
+    FDSettings.width = $('body').width()
+    FDSettings.height = $('body').height()
+    this.jitGraph = new $jit.ForceDirected(FDSettings)
+  }
+
+  waitForMetacodesThenLoad() {
+    const { DataModel } = this.props
+    // hold until all the needed metacode images are loaded
+    // hold for a maximum of 80 passes, or 4 seconds of waiting time
+    var tries = 0
+    const hold = () => {
+      const unique = _.uniq(DataModel.Topics.models, function(metacode) { return metacode.get('metacode_id') })
+      const requiredMetacodes = _.map(unique, function(metacode) { return metacode.get('metacode_id') })
+      let loadedCount = 0
+
+      _.each(requiredMetacodes, function(metacodeId) {
+        const metacode = DataModel.Metacodes.get(metacodeId)
+        const img = metacode ? metacode.get('image') : false
+
+        if (img && (img.complete || (typeof img.naturalWidth !== 'undefined' && img.naturalWidth !== 0))) {
+          loadedCount += 1
+        }
+      })
+
+      if (loadedCount === requiredMetacodes.length || tries > 80) {
+        this.runAnimation()
+      } else {
+        setTimeout(function() { tries++; hold() }, 50)
+      }
+    }
+    hold()
+  }
+
+  computePositions() {
+    const { DataModel } = this.props
+    this.jitGraph.graph.eachNode(function(n) {
+      const topic = DataModel.Topics.get(n.id)
+      topic.set({ node: n }, { silent: true })
+      topic.updateNode()
+      const mapping = topic.getMapping()
+      n.eachAdjacency(function(edge) {
+        if (!edge.getData('init')) {
+          edge.setData('init', true)
+          const l = edge.getData('synapseIDs').length
+          for (let i = 0; i < l; i++) {
+            const synapse = DataModel.Synapses.get(edge.getData('synapseIDs')[i])
+            synapse.set({ edge: edge }, { silent: true })
+            synapse.updateEdge()
+          }
+        }
+      })
+      const startPos = new $jit.Complex(0, 0)
+      const endPos = new $jit.Complex(mapping.get('xloc'), mapping.get('yloc'))
+      n.setPos(startPos, 'start')
+      n.setPos(endPos, 'end')
+    })
+  }
+
+  runAnimation() {
+    // load JSON data, if it's not empty
+    if (this.vizData) {
+      // load JSON data.
+      var rootIndex = 0
+      // 0 is rootIndex
+      this.jitGraph.loadJSON(this.vizData, 0)
+      // compute positions and plot.
+      this.computePositions()
+      this.jitGraph.animate(JIT.ForceDirected.animateSavedLayout)
+    }
+  }
+
+  render() {
+    const { loading } = this.state
+    // display loading while loading
+    return <div id="infovis" ref={this.divMounted} />
+  }
+}
+
+export default MapVis
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/TopicVis.js b/frontend/src/components/TopicVis.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f753b5a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/TopicVis.js
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import React, { Component } from 'react'
+import PropTypes from 'prop-types'
+
+// There would be separate one of these for mapview and topicview
+
+/*
+it could use the diffing intelligently to know when you
+update the visualization
+
+use componentDidUpdate to check for differences in
+- topic list, synapse list, mapping list, etc
+- use that info to intelligently update and animate the viz.
+
+basically port everything from VISUALIZE module over into here
+
+it should dynamically generate and pass in callbacks to the visualization
+*/
+
+class MapVis extends Component {
+  static propTypes = {
+    topics: PropTypes.array,
+    synapses: PropTypes.array,
+    mappings: PropTypes.array,
+    filters: PropTypes.array,
+    selectedNodes: PropTypes.array,
+    selectedEdges: PropTypes.array,
+    onSelect: PropTypes.func,
+    onPan: PropTypes.func,
+    onZoom: PropTypes.func,
+    onDrawSelectBox: PropTypes.func
+  }
+
+  constructor(props) {
+    super(props)
+    this.state = {
+      mGraph: null
+    }
+  }
+
+  componentDidMount() {
+    
+  }
+
+  render () {
+    return <div id="infovis" />
+  }
+}
+
+export default MapVis
diff --git a/frontend/src/containers/ContextMenu.js b/frontend/src/containers/ContextMenu.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9b60189d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/containers/ContextMenu.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+import { connect } from 'react-redux'
+import { mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps } from './UpperOptions.store'
+import UpperOptions from '../components/UpperOptions'
+
+export default connect(mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps)(UpperOptions)
diff --git a/frontend/src/containers/ContextMenu.store.js b/frontend/src/containers/ContextMenu.store.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0f89d1e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/containers/ContextMenu.store.js
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+// import {  } from '../actions'
+
+export const mapStateToProps = (state, ownProps) => {
+  return {
+    map: ownProps.map,
+    currentUser: ownProps.currentUser,
+    openImportLightbox: ownProps.openImportLightbox,
+    forkMap: ownProps.forkMap,
+    canEditMap: ownProps.canEditMap,
+    filterData: ownProps.filterData,
+    allForFiltering: ownProps.allForFiltering,
+    visibleForFiltering: ownProps.visibleForFiltering,
+    toggleMetacode: ownProps.toggleMetacode,
+    toggleMapper: ownProps.toggleMapper,
+    toggleSynapse: ownProps.toggleSynapse,
+    filterAllMetacodes: ownProps.filterAllMetacodes,
+    filterAllMappers: ownProps.filterAllMappers,
+    filterAllSynapses: ownProps.filterAllSynapses
+  }
+}
+
+export const mapDispatchToProps = (dispatch, ownProps) => {
+  return {}
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/containers/InfoAndHelp.js b/frontend/src/containers/InfoAndHelp.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..79dd9401
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/containers/InfoAndHelp.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+import { connect } from 'react-redux'
+import { mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps } from './InfoAndHelp.store'
+import InfoAndHelp from '../components/InfoAndHelp'
+
+export default connect(mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps)(InfoAndHelp)
diff --git a/frontend/src/containers/InfoAndHelp.store.js b/frontend/src/containers/InfoAndHelp.store.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f317fe9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/containers/InfoAndHelp.store.js
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+// import {  } from '../actions'
+
+export const mapStateToProps = (state, ownProps) => {
+  return {
+    mapIsStarred: ownProps.mapIsStarred,
+    currentUser: ownProps.currentUser,
+    map: ownProps.map,
+    onInfoClick: ownProps.toggleMapInfoBox,
+    onMapStar: ownProps.onMapStar,
+    onMapUnstar: ownProps.onMapUnstar,
+    onHelpClick: ownProps.openHelpLightbox,
+    infoBoxHtml: ownProps.infoBoxHtml
+  }
+}
+
+export const mapDispatchToProps = (dispatch, ownProps) => {
+  return {}
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/containers/TopicCard.js b/frontend/src/containers/TopicCard.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..95f94c67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/containers/TopicCard.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+import { connect } from 'react-redux'
+import { mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps } from './TopicCard.store'
+import TopicCard from '../components/TopicCard'
+
+export default connect(mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps)(TopicCard)
diff --git a/frontend/src/containers/TopicCard.store.js b/frontend/src/containers/TopicCard.store.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0f89d1e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/containers/TopicCard.store.js
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+// import {  } from '../actions'
+
+export const mapStateToProps = (state, ownProps) => {
+  return {
+    map: ownProps.map,
+    currentUser: ownProps.currentUser,
+    openImportLightbox: ownProps.openImportLightbox,
+    forkMap: ownProps.forkMap,
+    canEditMap: ownProps.canEditMap,
+    filterData: ownProps.filterData,
+    allForFiltering: ownProps.allForFiltering,
+    visibleForFiltering: ownProps.visibleForFiltering,
+    toggleMetacode: ownProps.toggleMetacode,
+    toggleMapper: ownProps.toggleMapper,
+    toggleSynapse: ownProps.toggleSynapse,
+    filterAllMetacodes: ownProps.filterAllMetacodes,
+    filterAllMappers: ownProps.filterAllMappers,
+    filterAllSynapses: ownProps.filterAllSynapses
+  }
+}
+
+export const mapDispatchToProps = (dispatch, ownProps) => {
+  return {}
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/containers/UpperOptions.js b/frontend/src/containers/UpperOptions.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9b60189d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/containers/UpperOptions.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+import { connect } from 'react-redux'
+import { mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps } from './UpperOptions.store'
+import UpperOptions from '../components/UpperOptions'
+
+export default connect(mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps)(UpperOptions)
diff --git a/frontend/src/containers/UpperOptions.store.js b/frontend/src/containers/UpperOptions.store.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0f89d1e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/containers/UpperOptions.store.js
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+// import {  } from '../actions'
+
+export const mapStateToProps = (state, ownProps) => {
+  return {
+    map: ownProps.map,
+    currentUser: ownProps.currentUser,
+    openImportLightbox: ownProps.openImportLightbox,
+    forkMap: ownProps.forkMap,
+    canEditMap: ownProps.canEditMap,
+    filterData: ownProps.filterData,
+    allForFiltering: ownProps.allForFiltering,
+    visibleForFiltering: ownProps.visibleForFiltering,
+    toggleMetacode: ownProps.toggleMetacode,
+    toggleMapper: ownProps.toggleMapper,
+    toggleSynapse: ownProps.toggleSynapse,
+    filterAllMetacodes: ownProps.filterAllMetacodes,
+    filterAllMappers: ownProps.filterAllMappers,
+    filterAllSynapses: ownProps.filterAllSynapses
+  }
+}
+
+export const mapDispatchToProps = (dispatch, ownProps) => {
+  return {}
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/containers/VisualizationControls.js b/frontend/src/containers/VisualizationControls.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..546eaa13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/containers/VisualizationControls.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+import { connect } from 'react-redux'
+import { mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps } from './VisualizationControls.store'
+import VisualizationControls from '../components/VisualizationControls'
+
+export default connect(mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps)(VisualizationControls)
diff --git a/frontend/src/containers/VisualizationControls.store.js b/frontend/src/containers/VisualizationControls.store.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5699f564
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/containers/VisualizationControls.store.js
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+// import {  } from '../actions'
+
+export const mapStateToProps = (state, ownProps) => {
+  return {
+    topic: ownProps.topic,
+    map: ownProps.map,
+    onClickZoomExtents: ownProps.onZoomExtents,
+    onClickZoomIn: ownProps.onZoomIn,
+    onClickZoomOut: ownProps.onZoomOut
+  }
+}
+
+export const mapDispatchToProps = (dispatch, ownProps) => {
+  return {}
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/index.js b/frontend/src/reducers/index.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d0934fea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/index.js
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+import { combineReducers } from 'redux'
+
+import map from './map'
+//import notifications from './notifications'
+
+export default combineReducers({
+  map//,
+  //notifications
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/chat.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/chat.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3bdd42af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/chat.js
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import {
+  OPEN_CHAT,
+  CLOSE_CHAT
+} from '../../actions/constants'
+
+const initialState = {
+  isOpen: false
+}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  switch (action.type) {
+    case OPEN_CHAT:
+      return {
+        isOpen: true
+      }
+    case CLOSE_CHAT:
+      return {
+        isOpen: false
+      }
+  }
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/contextMenu.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/contextMenu.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d384069c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/contextMenu.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+const initialState = {}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/createSynapse.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/createSynapse.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d384069c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/createSynapse.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+const initialState = {}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/createTopic.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/createTopic.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d384069c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/createTopic.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+const initialState = {}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/filters.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/filters.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b0947a24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/filters.js
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+const initialState = {
+  dataForPresentation: {
+    metacodes: {},
+    mappers: {},
+    synapses: {}
+  },
+  filters: {
+    metacodes: [],
+    mappers: [],
+    synapses: []
+  },
+  visible: {
+    metacodes: [],
+    mappers: [],
+    synapses: []
+  }
+}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/importDialogue.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/importDialogue.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d384069c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/importDialogue.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+const initialState = {}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/index.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/index.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7f993e69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/index.js
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import { combineReducers } from 'redux'
+
+import filters from './filters'
+import selected from './selected'
+import chat from './chat'
+import createTopic from './createTopic'
+import createSynapse from './createSynapse'
+import contextMenu from './contextMenu'
+import topicCard from './topicCard'
+import synapseCard from './synapseCard'
+import realtime from './realtime'
+import settings from './settings'
+import importDialogue from './importDialogue'
+import layout from './layout'
+import mouse from './mouse'
+import metacodeSelect from './metacodeSelect'
+
+export default combineReducers({
+  chat,
+  filters,
+  selected,
+  createTopic,
+  createSynapse,
+  contextMenu,
+  topicCard,
+  synapseCard,
+  realtime,
+  settings,
+  importDialogue,
+  layout,
+  mouse,
+  metacodeSelect
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/layout.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/layout.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d384069c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/layout.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+const initialState = {}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/metacodeSelect.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/metacodeSelect.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d384069c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/metacodeSelect.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+const initialState = {}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/mouse.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/mouse.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d384069c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/mouse.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+const initialState = {}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/realtime.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/realtime.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d384069c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/realtime.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+const initialState = {}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/selected.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/selected.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..20e15a9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/selected.js
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+const initialState = {
+  Nodes: [],
+  Edges: []
+}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/settings.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/settings.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..38d99394
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/settings.js
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+const initialState = {
+  colors: {
+    background: '#344A58',
+    synapses: {
+      normal: '#888888',
+      hover: '#888888',
+      selected: '#FFFFFF'
+    },
+    topics: {
+      selected: '#FFFFFF'
+    },
+    labels: {
+      background: '#18202E',
+      text: '#DDD'
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+export default function (state = initialState, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/synapseCard.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/synapseCard.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..27ce53b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/synapseCard.js
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+export default function (state = null, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/map/topicCard.js b/frontend/src/reducers/map/topicCard.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..27ce53b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/map/topicCard.js
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+export default function (state = null, action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/reducers/notifications/index.js b/frontend/src/reducers/notifications/index.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..be390c35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/reducers/notifications/index.js
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+export default function notifications(state = [], action) {
+  return state
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapView.js b/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapView.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4db46981
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapView.js
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+import React, { Component } from 'react'
+import PropTypes from 'prop-types'
+
+import UpperOptions from '../../containers/UpperOptions'
+import InfoAndHelp from '../../containers/InfoAndHelp'
+import VisualizationControls from '../../containers/VisualizationControls'
+import ContextMenu from '../../containers/ContextMenu'
+import TopicCard from '../../containers/TopicCard'
+
+import Instructions from '../../components/Instructions'
+import MapChat from '../../components/MapChat'
+import MapVis from '../../components/MapVis'
+
+export default class MapView extends Component {
+
+  static propTypes = {
+    contextMenu: PropTypes.bool,
+    mobile: PropTypes.bool,
+    mapId: PropTypes.string,
+    map: PropTypes.object,
+    mapIsStarred: PropTypes.bool,
+    onMapStar: PropTypes.func,
+    onMapUnstar: PropTypes.func,
+    filterData: PropTypes.object,
+    allForFiltering: PropTypes.object,
+    visibleForFiltering: PropTypes.object,
+    toggleMetacode: PropTypes.func,
+    toggleMapper: PropTypes.func,
+    toggleSynapse: PropTypes.func,
+    filterAllMetacodes: PropTypes.func,
+    filterAllMappers: PropTypes.func,
+    filterAllSynapses: PropTypes.func,
+    toggleMapInfoBox: PropTypes.func,
+    infoBoxHtml: PropTypes.string,
+    currentUser: PropTypes.object,
+    endActiveMap: PropTypes.func,
+    launchNewMap: PropTypes.func,
+    openImportLightbox: PropTypes.func,
+    forkMap: PropTypes.func,
+    openHelpLightbox: PropTypes.func,
+    onZoomExtents: PropTypes.func,
+    onZoomIn: PropTypes.func,
+    onZoomOut: PropTypes.func,
+    hasLearnedTopicCreation: PropTypes.bool,
+    chatIsOpen: PropTypes.bool,
+    closeChat: PropTypes.func,
+    openChat: PropTypes.func
+  }
+
+  componentWillUnmount() {
+    this.endMap()
+  }
+
+  endMap() {
+    this.props.closeChat()
+    this.mapChat.reset()
+    // TODO: fix upperOptions ref
+    this.upperOptions.reset()
+    this.props.endActiveMap()
+  }
+
+  componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
+    const oldMapId = prevProps.mapId
+    const { mapId, launchNewMap } = this.props
+    if (!oldMapId && mapId) launchNewMap(mapId)
+    else if (oldMapId && mapId && oldMapId !== mapId) {
+      this.endMap()
+      launchNewMap(mapId)
+    }
+    else if (oldMapId && !mapId) this.endMap()
+  }
+
+  render = () => {
+    const { mobile, map, currentUser, closeChat, openChat, chatIsOpen,
+            toggleMapInfoBox, infoBoxHtml, allForFiltering, visibleForFiltering,
+            toggleMetacode, toggleMapper, toggleSynapse, filterAllMetacodes,
+            filterAllMappers, filterAllSynapses, filterData,
+            openImportLightbox, forkMap, openHelpLightbox,
+            mapIsStarred, onMapStar, onMapUnstar, openTopic,
+            onZoomExtents, onZoomIn, onZoomOut, hasLearnedTopicCreation,
+            contextMenu, DataModel } = this.props
+    const canEditMap = map && map.authorizeToEdit(currentUser)
+    // TODO: stop using {...this.props} and make explicit
+    return <div className="mapWrapper">
+      <UpperOptions ref={x => this.upperOptions = x} {...this.props} />
+      <MapVis map={map} DataModel={DataModel} />
+      {openTopic && <TopicCard {...this.props} />}
+      {contextMenu && <ContextMenu {...this.props} />}
+      {currentUser && <Instructions mobile={mobile} hasLearnedTopicCreation={hasLearnedTopicCreation} />}
+      {currentUser && <MapChat {...this.props} onOpen={openChat} onClose={closeChat} chatOpen={chatIsOpen} ref={x => this.mapChat = x} />}
+      <VisualizationControls {...this.props} />
+      <InfoAndHelp {...this.props} />
+    </div>
+  }
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapView.store.js b/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapView.store.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5527489c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/MapView/MapView.store.js
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+import {
+  closeChat,
+  openChat
+} from '../../actions'
+
+export const mapStateToProps = (state, ownProps) => {
+  return {
+    chatIsOpen: state.map.chat.isOpen
+  }
+}
+
+export const mapDispatchToProps = (dispatch, ownProps) => {
+  return {
+    openChat: () => {
+      ownProps.onOpen()
+      return dispatch(openChat())
+    },
+    closeChat: () => {
+      ownProps.onClose()
+      return dispatch(closeChat())
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/index.js b/frontend/src/routes/MapView/index.js
index 027b395d..8bef953c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/MapView/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/MapView/index.js
@@ -1,132 +1,5 @@
-import React, { Component } from 'react'
-import PropTypes from 'prop-types'
+import { connect } from 'react-redux'
+import { mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps } from './MapView.store'
+import MapView from './MapView'
 
-import ContextMenu from '../../components/ContextMenu'
-import DataVis from '../../components/DataVis'
-import UpperOptions from '../../components/UpperOptions'
-import InfoAndHelp from '../../components/InfoAndHelp'
-import Instructions from './Instructions'
-import VisualizationControls from '../../components/VisualizationControls'
-import MapChat from './MapChat'
-import TopicCard from '../../components/TopicCard'
-
-export default class MapView extends Component {
-
-  static propTypes = {
-    contextMenu: PropTypes.bool,
-    mobile: PropTypes.bool,
-    mapId: PropTypes.string,
-    map: PropTypes.object,
-    mapIsStarred: PropTypes.bool,
-    onMapStar: PropTypes.func,
-    onMapUnstar: PropTypes.func,
-    filterData: PropTypes.object,
-    allForFiltering: PropTypes.object,
-    visibleForFiltering: PropTypes.object,
-    toggleMetacode: PropTypes.func,
-    toggleMapper: PropTypes.func,
-    toggleSynapse: PropTypes.func,
-    filterAllMetacodes: PropTypes.func,
-    filterAllMappers: PropTypes.func,
-    filterAllSynapses: PropTypes.func,
-    toggleMapInfoBox: PropTypes.func,
-    infoBoxHtml: PropTypes.string,
-    currentUser: PropTypes.object,
-    endActiveMap: PropTypes.func,
-    launchNewMap: PropTypes.func,
-    openImportLightbox: PropTypes.func,
-    forkMap: PropTypes.func,
-    openHelpLightbox: PropTypes.func,
-    onZoomExtents: PropTypes.func,
-    onZoomIn: PropTypes.func,
-    onZoomOut: PropTypes.func,
-    hasLearnedTopicCreation: PropTypes.bool
-  }
-
-  constructor(props) {
-    super(props)
-    this.state = {
-      chatOpen: false
-    }
-  }
-
-  componentWillUnmount() {
-    this.endMap()
-  }
-
-  endMap() {
-    this.setState({
-      chatOpen: false
-    })
-    this.mapChat.reset()
-    this.upperOptions.reset()
-    this.props.endActiveMap()
-  }
-
-  componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
-    const oldMapId = prevProps.mapId
-    const { mapId, launchNewMap } = this.props
-    if (!oldMapId && mapId) launchNewMap(mapId)
-    else if (oldMapId && mapId && oldMapId !== mapId) {
-      this.endMap()
-      launchNewMap(mapId)
-    }
-    else if (oldMapId && !mapId) this.endMap()
-  }
-
-  render = () => {
-    const { mobile, map, currentUser, onOpen, onClose,
-            toggleMapInfoBox, infoBoxHtml, allForFiltering, visibleForFiltering,
-            toggleMetacode, toggleMapper, toggleSynapse, filterAllMetacodes,
-            filterAllMappers, filterAllSynapses, filterData,
-            openImportLightbox, forkMap, openHelpLightbox,
-            mapIsStarred, onMapStar, onMapUnstar, openTopic,
-            onZoomExtents, onZoomIn, onZoomOut, hasLearnedTopicCreation,
-            contextMenu } = this.props
-    const { chatOpen } = this.state
-    const onChatOpen = () => {
-      this.setState({chatOpen: true})
-      onOpen()
-    }
-    const onChatClose = () => {
-      this.setState({chatOpen: false})
-      onClose()
-    }
-    const canEditMap = map && map.authorizeToEdit(currentUser)
-    // TODO: stop using {...this.props} and make explicit
-    return <div className="mapWrapper">
-      <UpperOptions ref={x => this.upperOptions = x}
-                    map={map}
-                    currentUser={currentUser}
-                    onImportClick={openImportLightbox}
-                    onForkClick={forkMap}
-                    canEditMap={canEditMap}
-                    filterData={filterData}
-                    allForFiltering={allForFiltering}
-                    visibleForFiltering={visibleForFiltering}
-                    toggleMetacode={toggleMetacode}
-                    toggleMapper={toggleMapper}
-                    toggleSynapse={toggleSynapse}
-                    filterAllMetacodes={filterAllMetacodes}
-                    filterAllMappers={filterAllMappers}
-                    filterAllSynapses={filterAllSynapses} />
-      <DataVis />
-      {openTopic && <TopicCard {...this.props} />}
-      {contextMenu && <ContextMenu {...this.props} />}
-      {currentUser && <Instructions mobile={mobile} hasLearnedTopicCreation={hasLearnedTopicCreation} />}
-      {currentUser && <MapChat {...this.props} onOpen={onChatOpen} onClose={onChatClose} chatOpen={chatOpen} ref={x => this.mapChat = x} />}
-      <VisualizationControls map={map}
-                             onClickZoomExtents={onZoomExtents}
-                             onClickZoomIn={onZoomIn}
-                             onClickZoomOut={onZoomOut} />
-      <InfoAndHelp mapIsStarred={mapIsStarred}
-                   currentUser={currentUser}
-                   map={map}
-                   onInfoClick={toggleMapInfoBox}
-                   onMapStar={onMapStar}
-                   onMapUnstar={onMapUnstar}
-                   onHelpClick={openHelpLightbox}
-                   infoBoxHtml={infoBoxHtml} />
-    </div>
-  }
-}
+export default connect(mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps)(MapView)
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/TopicView.js b/frontend/src/routes/TopicView.js
index cc8e54ca..b9cfeb06 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/TopicView.js
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/TopicView.js
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 import React, { Component } from 'react'
 import PropTypes from 'prop-types'
 
-import ContextMenu from '../components/ContextMenu'
-import DataVis from '../components/DataVis'
-import UpperOptions from '../components/UpperOptions'
-import InfoAndHelp from '../components/InfoAndHelp'
-import VisualizationControls from '../components/VisualizationControls'
-import TopicCard from '../components/TopicCard'
+import ContextMenu from '../containers/ContextMenu'
+import UpperOptions from '../containers/UpperOptions'
+import InfoAndHelp from '../containers/InfoAndHelp'
+import VisualizationControls from '../containers/VisualizationControls'
+import TopicCard from '../containers/TopicCard'
+
+import TopicVis from '../components/TopicVis'
 
 export default class TopicView extends Component {
 
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ export default class TopicView extends Component {
   }
 
   endTopic() {
+    // TODO: fix upperOptions ref
     this.upperOptions.reset()
     this.props.endActiveTopic()
   }
@@ -60,26 +62,12 @@ export default class TopicView extends Component {
             openHelpLightbox, onZoomIn, onZoomOut, contextMenu } = this.props
     // TODO: stop using {...this.props} and make explicit
     return <div className="topicWrapper">
-      <UpperOptions ref={x => this.upperOptions = x}
-                    currentUser={currentUser}
-                    topic={topic}
-                    onForkClick={forkMap}
-                    filterData={filterData}
-                    allForFiltering={allForFiltering}
-                    visibleForFiltering={visibleForFiltering}
-                    toggleMetacode={toggleMetacode}
-                    toggleMapper={toggleMapper}
-                    toggleSynapse={toggleSynapse}
-                    filterAllMetacodes={filterAllMetacodes}
-                    filterAllMappers={filterAllMappers}
-                    filterAllSynapses={filterAllSynapses} />
-      <DataVis />
+      <UpperOptions ref={x => this.upperOptions = x} {...this.props} />
+      <TopicVis />
       <TopicCard {...this.props} />
       {contextMenu && <ContextMenu {...this.props} />}
-      <VisualizationControls onClickZoomIn={onZoomIn}
-                             onClickZoomOut={onZoomOut} />
-      <InfoAndHelp topic={topic}
-                   onHelpClick={openHelpLightbox} />
+      <VisualizationControls {...this.props} />
+      <InfoAndHelp {...this.props} />
     </div>
   }
 }
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 5cece282..20c93c70 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -49,8 +49,9 @@
     "react-draggable": "3.0.3",
     "react-dropzone": "4.1.2",
     "react-onclickoutside": "6.5.0",
+    "react-redux": "^5.0.6",
     "react-router": "3.0.5",
-    "redux": "3.7.2",
+    "redux": "^3.7.2",
     "riek": "1.1.0",
     "simplewebrtc": "2.2.2",
     "socket.io": "1.3.7",