# The AI assistant (case chat)

Every case has an AI assistant, reached through the **Assistant** section (and available as a
side panel while viewing documents/files). It knows the case: its files, drafted documents,
notes, and record.

### Threads (multiple conversations per case)

Each conversation is a **thread**. A case can have many. Open the **"New chat"** menu in the
assistant header to:
- Start a **New chat**.
- Pick from your recent chats (most recent first).
- Toggle to see **archived** chats.
- **View all chats** if there are many.

Threads persist across reloads, tabs, and devices. **Archive** a thread from its hover menu;
unarchive the same way. Document-scoped chats (started while viewing a specific document) stay
with that document rather than the case as a whole.

### The composer

At the bottom is the message box. Type and press **Enter** to send (**Shift+Enter** for a new
line). The placeholder adapts to context ("Ask anything about this case" on the case home, "Ask
or edit this document" inside a document).

**Attaching files for context (`@`):** press **`@`** or click the **`+`** button to open a file
picker ("Search files & documents…"). Pick files and/or drafted documents; each appears as a
removable chip above the composer, and the assistant can use them directly.

**Dictation (voice to text):** click the **microphone** button (shown when the browser supports
it), speak, and your words are transcribed into the composer. Click again to stop. (Requires a
supported browser; if the mic button is missing, the browser doesn't support dictation.)

### Response modes & context controls

Under the composer, on the right:
- **Mode dropdown** — pick how the assistant balances speed against depth:
  - **Quick** (the default) — fast responses for everyday questions and case lookups.
  - **Advanced** — a more capable model that thinks longer before answering; best for motion
    drafting and deeper analysis.
  - **Custom** — for power users: choose any available model from a searchable list, plus a
    **Thinking** slider (Off / Low / Medium / High / Max, from "Faster" to "Smarter") that
    controls how long it reasons before answering. While in Custom, the dropdown shows the
    chosen model's name instead of a mode name.

  The choice is remembered per user and applies to your future messages.
- **Context usage circle** — shows how full the conversation's context window is. Click it for
  a "Context usage" readout (tokens used vs. the model's window). As the window fills, older
  messages are automatically summarized to make room, so the chat never has to start over.

A reminder line reads: "Albatross can make mistakes. Always have a licensed attorney review its
work."

### What the assistant can do

- **Search the case** — search uploaded files and drafted documents; results appear as cards
  with file names and matching excerpts you can click to open.
- **Draft & edit documents** — create or revise a document, email, or motion. A line like
  "Creating the document" → "Created the document" appears and is clickable to open the result
  in the editor.
- **Propose case updates (approval-gated)** — the assistant can't silently change the case
  record. When it wants to change a field (court, judge, charges, …) or save a fact to case
  memory, it shows an **approval card**:
  - Header "Proposed case update" (or "New case memory") with the before → after change.
  - **"Approve & save"** applies it; **"Reject"** declines. The card then shows the outcome
    ("Case record updated" / "Saved to case memory" / "Change rejected").

### Reading the conversation

Your messages appear on the right; the assistant's on the left. While it works, a status line
shows a rotating verb and an elapsed timer, and the send button becomes a **Stop** button to
interrupt. Tool actions ("Searched the case files", "3 results found") appear inline and can be
expanded for detail.

**Editing a sent message:** hover your own message → **"Edit"**. Editing rewrites from that
point — everything after it is replaced by the assistant's new response (there's no branching).

### Empty state & suggestions

A brand-new chat shows suggested prompts like **"Summarize this case"**, **"Find relevant case
law"**, and **"Draft a motion to dismiss."** Click one to send it.

### If there's no active subscription

If the firm's plan is inactive, the assistant shows a **"Subscribe to use the assistant"** card
instead of answering, with a link to start a plan (see [Section 23](https://albatross.legal/docs/billing-subscription)).