> ## 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.

# Dashboard

> Start research, upload sources, open recent work, and choose the right next action

# Dashboard

The dashboard is the starting surface for new work. Use it when you want to ask a question, upload a source, open something recent, or begin a reading workflow.

## What you can start

* **Write Paper:** Open the Hub and continue drafting from a collection.
* **Read a PDF:** Upload a source and open it in the reader.
* **Import Existing Work:** Bring in files such as drafts, documents, or source material.
* **Query a Topic:** Ask a question directly from the chat input.

## Uploading from the dashboard

You can drag a file onto the input card or use the upload button. Once a file is attached, Oystack can suggest next actions:

* **Read in Context:** Open the source in the reader.
* **Summarize This:** Ask for a summary using the selected mode.
* **Add to Collection:** Place the file into a collection before you keep working.

For Word documents, the read action may show as **Preview Document** when the document opens in a more limited preview flow.

## Choosing mode and model

The dashboard input lets you choose a mode before a conversation starts:

* **Chat:** General questions, brainstorming, and light drafting help.
* **Library Research:** Grounded answers using your uploaded library and attached files.
* **Web Research:** Research that uses web sources when your local library is not enough.

You can also choose from available models. Library Research currently favors Gemini in the app because document-grounded workflows depend on that model path.

## Recent work

The **Recent** area shows current library files when available. Selecting a readable file opens it in the reader. If sample items are shown before you have uploaded files, selecting them prompts you to upload your own source.

## Good dashboard habits

* Attach a file before asking document-specific questions.
* Use Library Research when you need source-grounded answers.
* Add important files to a collection early so notes and resources stay together.
* Open Recent work when you want to continue reading instead of starting a new chat.