Working Patterns

This page is a quick reference for "where should I start?" Each section gives you a few real situations that should send you to that part of Referenta.

Use the Assistant When…

You don't know exactly what the output should look like yet, or you want to talk through the work.

Examples:

• "Help me draft a position paper on the new energy bill."
• "Summarize the main arguments in this document I'm pasting in."
• "Suggest three different framings for this announcement and explain the tradeoffs."
• "Rewrite this paragraph in a more neutral tone — but keep the underlying argument."

Tip: Stay in the same conversation as long as you're working on the same piece. The Assistant remembers what you've said and the files you've shared, and it'll keep helping more usefully across the session.

Use a Tool When…

The job has a clear shape. You know what's going in and what should come out — you just want the work done.

Examples:

• Text Processing — "Clean up this transcript and remove filler words."
• Argumentation & Analysis — "Compare these two policy positions and tell me where they actually disagree."
• Legal Documents — "Read this draft amendment and tell me what it actually changes in plain language."
• Transcription — "Turn this committee recording into a searchable transcript."

Tip: If you find yourself describing the same kind of task to the Assistant repeatedly, check whether there's a Tool for it. The Tool will usually be faster.

Use Analysis & Research When…

The work depends on finding, monitoring, or comparing existing material.

Examples:

• Knowledgebase — "Find every parliamentary document on healthcare reform from the last six months."
• Research — "Build a working set of sources on climate adaptation so I can come back to it tomorrow."
• Press Monitor — "What's the press saying about today's announcement?" or "Has anyone covered this story angle yet?"

Tip: Bookmark anything you might want to come back to. It's easier than running the same search twice.

Use Outreach When…

You're at the "and now send it" stage of a workflow.

Examples:

• "Send this press release to my list of environment journalists."
• "Group these stakeholders by region so I can send region-specific updates."
• "Find that contact at the ministry whose details I added last month."

Tip: Distribution Lists save you from rebuilding the same group every time. If you send to the same set of people more than once, make a list.

Use Organization When…

The task is about the team or the account, not about content.

Examples:

• "Invite my new colleague."
• "Update the organization name."
• "How does a permission level work?" (check the help area)
• "Where do I change my notification settings?"

Tip: Most users only need this section during onboarding or when adjusting access. It's not where you do daily work.

When You're Stuck

If a task feels like it doesn't fit anywhere, start in the Assistant and describe what you need in plain language. It can usually point you to the right area, or just do the task with you directly.