> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.papers.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.papers.ai/getting-started/quickstart.md).

# Quickstart

This walkthrough takes about ten minutes. By the end you'll have a project with a dataset, an AI conversation that read it, and a short write-up that quotes one of its findings.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Create a project

1. Open Papers AI in Chrome, Edge, or another modern browser.
2. Click **New project** and give it a name.
3. Choose where to save it:

   * **Temporary**: saved only in your browser, with no extra setup. Good for just trying things out; Papers AI will prompt you to save it somewhere more permanent later.
   * **Local folder**: saved directly to a folder on your device. Only available in Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, Arc, and a few others; see [Create or open your first project](/getting-started/create-or-open-your-first-project.md) for the full list).
   * **Cloud**: accessible from any device and easy to share with collaborators later. Requires signing up if you haven't already.

   Any of these work for this walkthrough. If you pick **Local folder**, choose an empty folder when prompted.
4. Click **Create project**.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add a dataset

On the **Add files** screen, switch to **Choose from device** and drop in a `.csv` file. If you don't have one handy, save this snippet as `sample.csv` first:

{% code title="sample.csv" %}

```csv
date,product,units_sold
2026-01-04,bagel,42
2026-01-04,muffin,18
2026-01-05,bagel,55
2026-01-05,muffin,12
2026-01-06,bagel,31
2026-01-06,muffin,27
```

{% endcode %}

Click **Add files**, then open `sample.csv` from the file explorer. Papers AI opens CSV files in a data viewer, not a text editor. You should see six rows in a table.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Ask the AI a question about the data

1. Open the right sidebar if it's hidden, and make sure it's on the AI tab.
2. In the prompt box, click the attachment button and pick `sample.csv`.
3. With the `sample.csv` chip visible above the prompt input, ask a question, for example: `What does sample.csv contain, and which product sells better?`
4. Send.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Attaching the file is required. The AI can see your file tree, but it only reads a file's contents once you attach it.
{% endhint %}

You should get an answer that names both products and compares them (in this example, bagels outsell muffins). If the answer is vague or invents numbers, the file wasn't attached. Check for the chip and resend.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Turn the answer into a paragraph

1. In the file explorer, add a new file called `notes.md`.
2. Copy a sentence from the AI's answer into the file, or paraphrase it. Add a heading at the top.

Your work saves automatically. A **Saved** indicator in the header confirms it, next to a badge showing whether the project is temporary, local, or in the cloud.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Open a project from your device

If you already have a project on your device you can open it in Papers AI, simply by selecting the folder it's saved in. The files will all stay on your device.

From the dashboard, choose **Open from device** instead of **New project**. Papers AI reads supported files from the folder you choose and adds them to a new project. See [Create or open your first project](/getting-started/create-or-open-your-first-project.md).

**You want a writing-first flow without the dataset step.** Skip steps 2 and 3. Create `notes.md` from step 4 and write directly. You can come back to the AI later from the right sidebar.

## If something looks wrong

<details>

<summary>The CSV opens in a code editor, not a table</summary>

The file may have a different extension. Rename it to end in `.csv` and reopen.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Local folder isn't an option when creating a project</summary>

Local storage needs a browser feature that Safari and Firefox don't support. Use Chrome, Edge, or another Chromium-based browser, or choose **Temporary** or **Cloud** instead.

</details>

<details>

<summary>A file you imported won't open</summary>

Some file types (like `.pptx` or `.key`) aren't supported yet. They stay in your file list, but you'll need to open them in a compatible application.

</details>