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

# Ask AI

> How to use Tendor's AI assistant with projects, files, approvals, and generated work.

Ask AI helps you understand opportunities, analyse documents, draft responses, and keep project work moving. It works best when you give it the right project context and the files it needs.

## Where to use Ask AI

You can start Ask AI from **New**, from a project, or from an opportunity. When you open chat from a project or opportunity, Tendor keeps that context attached so you do not have to re-explain which tender, grant, or project you mean.

Use Ask AI for tasks such as:

* Explaining buyer requirements in plain language
* Running or interpreting a Pre-qualification / Gap Analysis
* Finding missing evidence or unclear requirements
* Drafting, rewriting, or summarising response content
* Comparing project files against submission requirements
* Preparing checklists, action lists, and next steps

## Attach files

You can attach files to a message when the assistant needs more context. Ask AI can also request missing documents during a conversation. When that happens, Tendor shows an upload card in the chat so you can provide the requested file without leaving the workflow.

Project files and Library files are handled differently:

| File type            | Use it for                                                                                      |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Project files**    | Tender packs, draft responses, pricing sheets, buyer forms, and submission-specific attachments |
| **Library files**    | Reusable proof such as policies, certificates, capability statements, case studies, and CVs     |
| **Chat attachments** | Files needed for a specific conversation or one-off task                                        |

## Choose the right context

Ask AI works best when the conversation is started from the place that matches the task.

| Start from         | Use it when                                                                            |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **An opportunity** | You want to understand the buyer, attachments, requirements, or whether to assess fit  |
| **A project**      | You want Ask AI to use project files, drafts, AI-created files, and submission context |
| **New chat**       | You have a general question that is not tied to one opportunity or project             |

If the answer seems too broad, restart from the specific project or opportunity and name the files you want used.

## Review generated work

When Ask AI creates or edits files, Tendor shows the result in the review panel. You can preview drafts, reports, and AI-created files, download them, and save useful results back to the project where supported.

For larger document edits, Tendor may run the work in the background. Keep the chat open if you want to watch progress, or return later to review the saved output.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Results and actions" icon="inbox" href="/guides/results-and-actions">
    Learn where generated work, review items, and approval requests appear.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Check source references

When Ask AI uses project files, opportunity attachments, or Library documents, some answers may include small numbered source chips. Click a source chip to open the original PDF beside the answer and review the cited page.

Use source references to:

* Confirm that a summary is based on the right document
* Check the exact page before copying a claim into a submission
* Compare the assistant's wording with the buyer's original requirement
* Spot missing, old, or unclear evidence before the team relies on it

If a source cannot open, you may not have access to the file, the file may have been removed, or the reference may point to an older version. Reattach the current file or ask an owner/admin to confirm access.

## Approvals and permissions

Some actions need your confirmation before the assistant continues. For example, Tendor may ask before running a plan, using connected accounts, or taking an action that changes project content.

If Tendor needs to send a message, use a connected account, or change project content, it asks you to confirm first. If you are unsure, keep the task supervised and approve actions as they appear.

## Longer tasks

Some chat tasks take longer because they need to read several files, create a document, or prepare a multi-step result. If a response is still running, Tendor keeps the thread in a working state and resumes the visible progress where possible.

If a task fails, retry with a shorter instruction and attach the most relevant files. For document-heavy tasks, name the specific document or section you want the assistant to work on.

## When to ask for approval

Use supervised approvals when Ask AI may change work product, use a connected account, or perform a multi-step task. This lets you review important actions before they happen.

For low-risk analysis, summaries, and checklists, you can keep the task narrower by asking for the output first and deciding what to do with it afterward.

## Good prompts

Clear prompts include the goal, the files to use, and the output you want.

```text theme={null}
Review the buyer requirements in the attached tender pack.
Tell me the mandatory requirements, likely disqualifiers, missing evidence,
and whether we should proceed, proceed with caution, or no-bid.
```

```text theme={null}
Draft a first version of the response to section 3.2 using our capability
statement and case studies from the Library. Keep it under 500 words.
```

<Warning>
  Review AI-generated analysis and drafts before relying on them. Tendor helps your team find issues faster, but final bid decisions and submission content should still be checked by the right people.
</Warning>