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

# AI Chat and Research

> Use chat, library research, web research, branchouts, and grounded source references

# AI Chat and Research

Oystack includes several AI workflows. The important choice is not which button to press first; it is what kind of evidence you want the answer to use.

## Modes

* **Chat:** Use for general questions, brainstorming, outlining, rewriting, and light help.
* **Library Research:** Use for questions that should be grounded in uploaded files, collection resources, notes, or attached sources.
* **Web Research:** Use when the answer should draw from web sources outside your library.

Modes are selected before a new conversation starts. After messages exist, the conversation mode is locked so the answer history stays coherent.

## Models

The input card lets you choose an available model. Some model choices may be disabled depending on mode. In Library Research, Oystack currently keeps the workflow on the Gemini-backed path used for document-grounded analysis.

## Working with attached files

Attach files when your question depends on a specific document. With a file attached, Oystack can guide you toward Library Research and suggest actions such as reading in context, summarizing, or adding the file to a collection.

## Branchout conversations

Branchouts are useful when you want to explore a side question without derailing the main thread.

Good branchout uses:

* investigate one selected passage
* compare one claim against another source
* ask for a narrower explanation
* preserve the main conversation while exploring a tangent

## Source references

When an answer includes source references, use them to inspect the underlying material. This is especially important before copying a claim into a note, report, or paper.

## Best practices

* Ask specific questions that name the task and the evidence you want.
* Use Library Research for source-grounded answers.
* Use Web Research when your library is not enough.
* Open source references before relying on claims.
* Move useful findings into notes while the context is still fresh.