Hi Brian
Here is a shortcut while editing notes:
Press CTRL + ENTER to apply changes.

>> right mouse click adds them to the box.

Also, clicking on the node box and mouse leaving the text area will apply the changes.
I can confirm that when mouse enters or leaves the node box it resets the changes before applying them. I can fix that.

>> A second shortcut key can be set up in MoI, to open a second canvas, to assist node program (assemblage) creation.

ALt + Click on the "New" button to open a new NE window.