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

# Getting Started

> Create your account and start using IllumiChat

This guide walks you through creating your IllumiChat account, setting up your first workspace, and sending your first message.

## Create Your Account

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign Up">
    Go to [app.illumichat.com](https://app.illumichat.com) and click **Sign Up**. You can create an account with your email address or sign in with Google.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Your Email">
    If you signed up with email, check your inbox for a verification link from IllumiChat. Click the link to confirm your address and activate your account.

    <Tip>
      Did not receive the email? Check your spam folder or click **Resend verification** on the sign-in page.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Up Your Workspace">
    After signing in for the first time, you will be prompted to create a **workspace**. A workspace is a shared environment where you and your team organize conversations, assistants, and projects.

    Give your workspace a name (for example, your company or team name) and you are ready to go. You can always create additional workspaces later from the sidebar.

    <Note>
      Workspaces keep everything separate -- conversations, assistants, projects, and members. Use different workspaces for different teams, clients, or use cases.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Chatting">
    Once your workspace is set up, you will land on the chat screen. Type a message in the input field and press **Enter** to send it. IllumiChat will respond with a streaming reply in real time.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Your First Conversation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open a new chat">
    Click the **New Chat** button in the sidebar or press **Cmd/Ctrl + K** to start a fresh conversation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Type your message">
    Enter your question or prompt in the text field at the bottom of the screen. Try something like:

    > "Summarize the key differences between REST and GraphQL APIs."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the response">
    IllumiChat streams the response in real time. You can continue the conversation by typing follow-up questions -- the AI remembers the full context of your chat.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Try creating an artifact">
    Build on the response with a follow-up:

    > "Now create a comparison table as an artifact."

    This generates a structured artifact you can view and edit alongside the conversation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Creating Artifacts

Artifacts are structured outputs -- documents, code files, diagrams, and spreadsheets -- that IllumiChat generates inline within your conversation. They appear in a dedicated panel where you can view, edit, copy, and export them.

To create an artifact, describe what you need:

* **Document**: "Write a project proposal for a mobile app redesign"
* **Code**: "Create a Python script that reads a CSV file and generates a summary report"
* **Diagram**: "Draw a flowchart showing the user registration process"
* **Spreadsheet**: "Build a budget tracker with columns for category, planned, actual, and difference"

<Tip>
  You can ask IllumiChat to **update** an existing artifact in the same conversation. For example: "Add an executive summary section to the top of that document."
</Tip>

## Uploading Files

Upload files directly into a conversation for IllumiChat to read and analyze.

1. Click the **attachment icon** (paperclip) next to the chat input.
2. Select one or more files from your device.
3. Add your question or instructions, then send the message.

**Supported file types include:**

* Images (PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP)
* PDF documents
* Text and Markdown files
* CSV and data files

<Warning>
  Each file must be under **10 MB** in size. If an upload fails, try compressing the file or splitting it into smaller parts.
</Warning>

## Enabling Web Search

Web search gives IllumiChat access to real-time information from the internet. This is useful for questions about current events, recent data, or anything that requires up-to-date knowledge.

1. Look for the **Web Search toggle** near the chat input area.
2. Turn it on before sending your message.
3. IllumiChat will search the web, gather relevant sources, and incorporate them into its response.

<Note>
  Web search results include source links so you can verify the information. When web search is off, IllumiChat relies on its training data and any knowledge base documents you have configured.
</Note>

## Key Concepts

Before diving deeper, here are the core concepts you will encounter throughout IllumiChat:

| Concept            | Description                                                                                 |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Workspaces**     | Separate environments for organizing members, conversations, assistants, and projects       |
| **Assistants**     | Custom AI personas configured with specific instructions and knowledge sources              |
| **Projects**       | Collections of documents that power your assistants' knowledge through RAG                  |
| **Knowledge Base** | The document store that assistants search to provide accurate, context-aware answers        |
| **Artifacts**      | Structured outputs (documents, code, diagrams, spreadsheets) generated during conversations |

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Chat Features" icon="messages" href="/features/chat">
    Discover web search, file uploads, and conversation management.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Artifacts" icon="file-code" href="/features/artifacts">
    Learn how to create, edit, and export documents, code, diagrams, and spreadsheets.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workspaces" icon="building" href="/features/workspaces">
    Set up workspaces, invite team members, and manage roles.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Account Settings" icon="gear" href="/account">
    Manage your profile, preferences, and billing.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>