Starting You First Chat

Help page: How to start a new chat in OnVerb

This guide explains how to start a new chat, from logging in to beginning your conversation with an AI model. It covers both the dashboard option and the Chats view, what happens when you choose a model and a system prompt, how temperature affects replies, and how to switch models or prompts during a chat.

Starting a new chat – quick overview

  • You can start a new chat from:
    • The dashboard (click New Chat after you’ve logged in)
    • The Chats tab (open Chats, then click New Chat at the top of the page)
  • You will be taken to a page where you:
    • Choose which AI model you want to talk to
    • Select a system prompt (or choose to start a chat without a prompt)
    • Optionally adjust the temperature (if the temperature control is available for that model)
  • Click Start Chat to open the chat window
  • In the chat window you can type your message, see an estimate of cost in Chat Tokens as you send messages, and ask questions
  • With every message you send, the context from your chosen system prompt (if any) is included in the AI’s processing
  • You can change the AI chatbot at any time during the chat, and you can also change the prompt and the temperature

Step-by-step: starting a new chat

  1. Log in
  • Open OnVerb and sign in with your account credentials.
  1. Open the New Chat flow
  • On the dashboard: click New Chat.
  • Or go to the Chats tab, where you’ll see a list of your chats; click New Chat at the top of the page.
  1. Choose your AI model
  • You’ll be presented with a list of available AI models. Select the one you want to converse with.
  1. Select a system prompt (or start without one)
  • Pick a system prompt that best fits your goal. If you prefer not to use a prompt, tick the option to start a chat without a prompt (if available).
  • Note: System prompts guide how the AI responds and helps keep answers aligned with your intent and branding.
  1. Set the temperature (if adjustable)
  • If the model supports temperature adjustment, you can set it here.
  • Lower temperature: more deterministic, steady responses.
  • Higher temperature: more creative or varied responses.
  • If you’re unsure, start with a moderate value and adjust later based on the replies you receive.
  1. Start the chat
  • Click Start Chat to open the chat window.
  1. Chat window: send messages and review cost
  • Type your message in the chat box and press Enter to send.
  • You’ll see an estimate of the cost for your message in Chat Tokens as you compose and send.
  • Ask questions or request clarifications as needed.
  • The AI will respond, using the context from your system prompt with every message you send.
  1. Ongoing conversation: changing model, prompts, or temperature
  • You can switch to a different AI chatbot at any point during the chat.
  • You can also change the system prompt, and adjust the temperature, while the chat is ongoing.
  • After changing anything, continue the conversation; the AI will apply the new settings to subsequent messages.

Tips for getting the most from your new chat

  • Start with a clear goal
    • Tell the AI what you want to achieve in the chat (e.g., “draft a project plan,” “summarise a document,” or “generate an outline for a report”).
  • Use a suitable system prompt
    • Choose a prompt aligned with your task to keep responses on-brand and relevant.
  • Adjust temperature thoughtfully
    • For precise, reproducible results, use a lower temperature.
    • For brainstorming or creative output, a higher temperature can be useful.
  • Watch the token costs
    • If you’re mindful of costs, keep prompts concise and ask for brief responses first, then iterate.
  • Change models as needed
    • If you’re not getting the kind of answer you want, try a different AI model or prompt to see if the output improves.
  • Save and reuse prompts
    • If you find a system prompt that works well, save it for future chats to preserve consistency.

Security and privacy notes

  • System prompts are encrypted and stored securely to protect sensitive information.
  • If you share documents or data in chats, ensure you are compliant with your organisation’s data policies.

Frequently asked questions

  • Can I start a chat without a system prompt?
    • Yes, that option is available. You can proceed directly to chat with the model, and prompts can be added later if you wish.
  • Can I switch AI models during a chat?
    • Yes. You can switch to another AI model at any point in the ongoing chat.
  • Will changing the prompt affect previous messages?
    • Changes apply to subsequent messages. Previous responses remain as they were, but future outputs will follow the new prompt and settings.
  • How accurate are the Chat Token cost estimates?
    • Estimates reflect current token usage for each message. A breakdown of how the cost is formulated is also shown.
  • What happens if I encounter issues?
    • If you experience problems starting a chat or selecting prompts, use the Help or Support links in the app footer, or contact the OnVerb support team.

Accessibility and best practices

  • Use concise prompts and clear objectives to help the AI understand your intent quickly.
  • If you have accessibility needs, the app supports keyboard navigation and screen reader-friendly layouts, please let us know if you need adjustments.