> 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/workspace-tour.md). # Workspace tour The first time you open a project, the screen has more on it than most editors. This page covers the basics on day one, and doubles as a reference for "where is X" once you're looking for something specific. ## Where do you type? In the editor area in the center of the window. The editor opens whichever file you click in the left sidebar, and each open file gets its own tab. ## The shell at a glance * **Header** (top): project name, save status, **Share**, panel toggles, notifications, help, and **Settings**. * **Left sidebar**: four icons, each opening a different panel: **Files**, **Search**, **Outline**, and **References**. * **Editor area**: the file or files you have open, each in its own tab. * **Right sidebar**: three tabs: **AI**, **Comments**, and **Version History**. * **Toolbar**: formatting controls, plus the **Code** / **Visual** toggle for formats that support it. * **Status bar** (bottom): storage/access badge, word count, and format. ## Where does your work live and who can see it? Every project has a storage location and an access level, and they're independent of each other: * **Temporary, Local, or Cloud** (storage location): temporary projects live only in your browser; local projects are saved to a folder on your device; cloud projects are saved to Papers AI's servers and reachable from any device. * **Private or Shared** (access): private projects are visible only to you; shared projects have one or more collaborators. Only cloud projects can be shared. A badge in the status bar shows both at a glance. Click it for details on where the project is saved and who can see it. ## Find a feature Looking for something specific? This table covers every panel and control in the shell, not just the obvious ones. | Feature | Where to find it | What it does | | ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Files | Left sidebar, **Files** icon | Your project's file tree: open, create, rename, move, and delete files. See [The file tree](/managing-projects-and-files/the-file-tree.md). | | Search | Left sidebar, **Search** icon | Search within the current project. | | Outline | Left sidebar, **Outline** icon | The heading structure of the file you have open, for quick navigation. | | References | Left sidebar, **References** icon | Connect a reference manager or `.bib` file and insert citations. See [Bibliography and citations](/citing-and-references/bibliography-and-citations.md). | | AI | Right sidebar, **AI** tab | Ask the AI about your project and review its proposed edits. See [Using AI](/using-ai/using-ai.md). | | Comments | Right sidebar, **Comments** tab | Threaded feedback anchored to specific text or board items. See [Comments](/collaborating/comments.md). | | Version history | Right sidebar, **Version History** tab | Label, preview, and restore earlier versions of the open file. See [Version history](/writing-and-editing/version-history.md). | | Share | Header, **Share** button | Invite collaborators to a cloud project, or send a copy instead. See [Share a project and manage access](/collaborating/share-a-project-and-manage-access.md). | | Storage and access status | Badge in the header and status bar | Shows whether the project is **Temporary**, **Local**, or **Cloud**, and **Private** or **Shared**. Click it for details. | | Editing mode | Toolbar | Switch between **Code** and **Visual** for Markdown and MyST files. See [Editing modes](/writing-and-editing/editing-modes.md). | | Word count and format | Status bar | Glance to confirm the active file's word count and format. | | Settings and preferences | Header, gear icon | Theme, auto-save, and language. See [Settings and preferences](/managing-projects-and-files/settings-and-preferences.md). | | Adding and managing models | Model selector in the AI panel | Enable a built-in model, or connect your own local model or OpenRouter account. See [Adding and managing models](/using-ai/ai-models-and-your-own-model.md). | | Panel toggles | Header | Show or hide the left and right sidebars. | | Project switcher and dashboard | Header | Switch to a different project, or return to the dashboard. See [Managing your projects](/managing-projects-and-files/managing-your-projects.md). | ## Suggested next steps * [Quickstart](/getting-started/quickstart.md): create a project, ask the AI, write up the answer. * [Create or open your first project](/getting-started/create-or-open-your-first-project.md) * [Bibliography and citations](/citing-and-references/bibliography-and-citations.md): connect a reference manager and insert citations. * [Share a project and manage access](/collaborating/share-a-project-and-manage-access.md)