> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.prisme.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Getting Started
> Learn how to use Chat for secure, enterprise-grade conversations with AI
This guide will help you start using Chat, Prisme.ai's secure conversational interface for enterprise AI. Whether you're new to AI or experienced with similar tools, this walkthrough will get you up and running quickly.
## Accessing Chat
Access your organization's Prisme.ai instance using your credentials.
If you don't have access credentials, contact your organization's Prisme.ai administrator.
In the sidebar, expand the **Use** menu. You'll see two options:
* **Chat** - Start conversations with AI agents
* **Store** - Discover and browse available agents
Click **Chat** to open the main conversational interface.
Chat is often the default landing page after login.
The Chat home screen shows:
* A welcome message and input box
* **Prompt categories** - Quick-access pills to browse [ready-made prompts](./prompt-management)
* **Available agents** - Agents shared with you
* **Recent canvas** - Your recent content creation work
* **News** - Updates from your organization
## Understanding the Interface
Let's explore the key elements of the Chat interface:
### Chat Home Screen
When you open Chat, you'll see:
1. **Welcome message** - Personalized greeting with input box
2. **Available agents** - Agent cards you can click to start chatting
3. **Recent canvas** - Quick access to your recent content work
4. **News section** - Updates from your organization
### Conversation View
When chatting with an agent:
1. **Agent sidebar** - List of agents and your conversation history
2. **Model selector** - Choose which AI model to use (top of chat area)
3. **Message area** - Your conversation with the agent
4. **Input box** - Type your messages
5. **Attach file** - Upload documents to analyze
6. **Tools** - Access agent capabilities
7. **Dictate** - Use voice input
8. **Send** - Send your message
## Your First Conversation
Let's start a basic conversation with Chat:
Type a question or request in the input box and press Enter or click the send button.
Example questions to get started:
* "Can you help me draft an email to my team about our upcoming project deadline?"
* "Summarize the key points about Retrieval Augmented Generation."
* "What are some best practices for effective virtual meetings?"
The AI will generate a response based on your question. The response will appear in the message area.
You'll see the response appear in real-time as it's being generated.
Follow up with additional questions or requests. Chat maintains context throughout your conversation.
Example follow-ups:
* "Can you make that more concise?"
* "Add a section about \[specific topic]."
* "Rewrite this in a more formal tone."
## Working with Documents
One of Chat's powerful features is the ability to analyze documents:
Click the paperclip icon at the bottom-left of the message composer and pick a document from the file browser.
Supported formats include PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, text files, and images with text.
The document will be uploaded and processed. This may take a few moments depending on the document size.
You'll see a progress indicator while the document is being processed.
Once processing is complete, you can ask questions specifically about the document content.
Example document questions:
* "Summarize the main points of this document."
* "What are the key findings in the results section?"
* "Extract the action items from this meeting note."
* "What data is shown in the table on page 3?"
## Managing Conversations
Keep your Chat experience organized:
Click **+ New chat** in the top-right of the conversation header to start a fresh conversation.
Starting a new conversation clears the context from previous interactions.
Hover any conversation in the sidebar, click the more-options icon that appears on the row, and choose **Rename**. You can also click the conversation title at the top of the message area to rename it inline.
Use descriptive names that help you identify the conversation topic.
Your past conversations live in the left sidebar, grouped by **Today**, **Yesterday**, **Last 7 days**, **Last 30 days**, and **Older**. Use the search box at the top of the list to find a specific conversation. Collapse or expand the sidebar with the toggle in its bottom-left corner.
Conversations are automatically saved and can be accessed according to your organization's retention policies.
Hover a conversation in the sidebar, open its more-options menu, and choose **Delete**. Use **Delete all conversations** at the bottom of the sidebar to clear the full list at once.
Depending on your organization's settings, deleted conversations may be recoverable for a certain period.
## Customizing Your Experience
Personalize Chat to suit your needs:
If your organization has multiple AI models available, you can select which one to use:
1. Click the **Select model** dropdown at the top of the conversation header
2. Choose from the available models
Different models may have different capabilities, strengths, and usage quotas.
Control how and when you share a conversation:
1. Click the share icon at the top of the conversation header
2. Generate a read-only link to your conversation
3. Click the copy icon to copy the link
4. Share the link with your team
Anyone with the link can view the shared conversation; messages you add after sharing remain private to you.
## Best Practices for Effective Use
Provide clear, detailed instructions or questions to get the best results. The more specific you are, the more useful the response will be.
Don't expect perfect results on the first try. Refine your requests and build on previous responses to get to the desired outcome.
When switching topics, provide sufficient background information to help the AI understand your needs accurately.
For complex requests, use clear formatting with bullet points, numbering, or sections to structure your instructions.
Always review and verify factual information, especially for critical business decisions.
Follow your organization's guidelines for sharing sensitive information, even though Chat is secure.
## Troubleshooting Common Issues
* Ask for a more concise response
* Specify the desired length or format
* Use phrases like "Summarize in 3 bullet points" or "Keep it under 100 words"
* Rephrase your question with more specific details
* Break complex questions into smaller, clearer parts
* Provide more context about what you're trying to accomplish
* Check that your document is not excessively large (>100 pages)
* Ensure the document format is supported
* Try splitting very large documents into smaller chunks
* Check your network connection
* Remember that the AI's knowledge has a cutoff date
* Provide current information as context in your question
* Upload recent documents if you need analysis of current data
## Next Steps
Now that you've mastered the basics of Chat, explore these more advanced capabilities:
Discover and browse available agents
Learn advanced techniques for working with documents
Organize and manage your conversations effectively
Master the collaborative content creation workspace
Work with images and visual content
Connect to organizational knowledge