# Use chat

> Start a chat, add files, choose a model, and rename, archive, delete, or compact a chat in TulipFarm.

Source: https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/guides/use-chat/

A [chat](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/concepts/chats-and-projects/) is a conversation with the TulipFarm AI. This guide shows the everyday chat tasks.

## Start a chat

1. Select **New chat** at the top of the sidebar.

2. Type your request in the message box.

3. Select **Send message**, or press Enter.

   To stop the answer, select **Stop reply**.

A new chat is a personal chat. Only you can see it. To share a chat with other people, use a [project](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/guides/work-in-a-project/).

## Add a file to a message

The **Files** button in the message box has three choices.

| Choice | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Store a private file** | Saves the file with the chat for download. The chat does not read the file. |
| **Let the assistant read a file** | Lets you pick a saved file. The assistant reads the file with your message. |
| **Add a file to Knowledge** | Opens **Files**. Your chats and agents can search your [Knowledge](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/concepts/files-and-knowledge/). Other people cannot. |

To have the assistant read a file:

1. Select **Files** in the message box.

2. Select **Let the assistant read a file**.

3. Pick a saved file from the list.

   You can also type `@` in the message box to open the same list.

4. Type your request and send the message.

Limits for stored files:

- Each message can have up to 5 files.
- Each file can be up to 10 MiB.
- Files that you upload but do not send expire after 24 hours.
- The whole workspace has 1 GiB of storage for chat files.

## Choose a model

1. Select the model picker in the message box.

2. Select a model from the list.

3. Send your message.

The list shows only the models that your workspace admins allow. If you see "No models are available. Ask a workspace admin.", contact an admin. For more help, read [Credits or models are unavailable](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/troubleshooting/credits-or-models-unavailable/).

## Rename a chat

1. Open the chat.

2. Open the **Chat actions** menu.

3. Select **Edit title**.

4. Type the new title.

5. Select **Save title**.

You can also rename a chat from the **Chats** page. Open the menu next to the chat and select **Rename**.

## Archive or restore a chat

An archived chat stays saved. An archived project chat is read-only.

1. Open the chat.

2. Open the **Chat actions** menu.

3. Select **Archive chat**.

To restore a chat:

1. Select **Chats** in the sidebar.

2. Select **Archived**.

3. Open the chat.

4. Open the **Chat actions** menu.

5. Select **Restore chat**.

## Delete a chat

> **Caution:** You cannot undo a delete. The chat disappears at once. TulipFarm keeps it for 30 days, then removes it permanently.

1. Select **Chats** in the sidebar.

2. Open the menu next to the chat.

3. Select **Delete**.

4. Select **Delete chat** to confirm.

   To cancel, select **Keep chat**.

## Compact a long chat

Compaction shrinks the working context of a long chat so that the chat can continue. The original messages stay readable.

1. Open the chat.

2. Type `/compact` in the message box.

3. Send the message.

Automatic compaction is on by default. It starts when a chat uses 70 percent of its context budget. Admins choose the summary models on the [Models](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/admin/models/) page.

## Next steps

- [Work in a project](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/guides/work-in-a-project/)
- [Manage files](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/guides/manage-files/)
- [Create skills](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/guides/create-skills/)