> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.temperate.works/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Start a chat

> Ask a question, add context and choose how hard Temperate works.

Select **New chat** in the sidebar, type your question, and press **Enter**. Use **Shift+Enter** for a new line.

![A new chat, with the field and the bar under it](https://mintcdn.com/temperate/fiKOImnzsBaUE79z/images/new-chat.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=fiKOImnzsBaUE79z\&q=85\&s=b4e86f70e1cc39aa35137eac34302862)

## Add context

Use the bar under the field:

| Item | What it does |
| - | - |
| **Work in a project** | Starts the chat in a project, with its instructions and files. See [Projects](https://docs.temperate.works/work/projects.md). |
| **Plugins** | Names a connected system in your question. **Connect plugins** shows what you can add. |
| **Agents** | Names an agent of the space in your question. See [Agents](https://docs.temperate.works/work/agents.md). |

You can also add a [file](https://docs.temperate.works/chat/files.md), or type **@** to [mention](https://docs.temperate.works/chat/mentions.md) someone or something.

## Effort

The button at the right of the field sets how hard Temperate works on an answer. Higher steps are slower and use more of your [usage](https://docs.temperate.works/admin/usage.md).

| Step | When to use it |
| - | - |
| **Fast** | Simple questions. |
| **Balanced** | Most questions. |
| **Thorough** | Work that needs more care. |
| **Deep** | Hard problems with many parts. |
| **Max** | The hardest work. |

## Private chats

Select **Private chat** at the top right before you send your first message. Temperate learns nothing from it, and your colleagues can't see it. See [Private and shared chats](https://docs.temperate.works/chat/private-and-shared.md).

## When Temperate asks you something

Temperate can ask a question while it works. Press the number of a choice, type your own answer, or select **Skip**. It can also ask your approval before it changes something in a system. See [Questions and approvals](https://docs.temperate.works/approvals/questions-and-approvals.md).

> [!NOTE]
>
> Temperate can make mistakes. Check what matters.


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