# Interface overview

The interface consists of the sidebar, the header, the conversation in the centre and the message field. The HTML view shows these areas together. You can open sidebar sections and settings within it.

```{include} ../_includes/ui-overview.md
```

## The complete sidebar

On desktop, the narrow icon rail remains accessible when the sidebar is collapsed. On small screens, open it using the sidebar icon in the header.

```{include} ../_includes/ui-sidebar.md
```

| Element | Purpose | Learn more |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Toggle sidebar** | Opens or closes the panel next to the icon rail. | [Controls](barrierefreiheit.md) |
| **New chat** | Starts a chat with an empty message history. | [First steps](start-a-chat.md) |
| **Chat history** | Shows chat search, previous chats and the **Projects** section. | [Manage chats](manage-your-chats.md) |
| **Projects** | Selects reusable knowledge sources for the current chat. | [Use projects](../arcana/use-arcana-package.md) |
| **Prompts** | Saves and activates system instructions, for example for tone or output format. | [Prompts](prompts.md) |
| **Memories** | Manages personal background information for future requests. | [Memories](memories.md) |
| **Attach files** | Opens project files with search, upload and processing status. | [Process documents](upload-documents.md) |
| **Account** | Opens help, files, archived chats, settings and sign-out. | [Settings](settings.md) |

The **plus** next to the heading belongs to the current section: it creates a chat, prompt or memory, or opens the file upload. Create a project with **New project** in Chat history.

## Header and message field

| Element | Function |
| --- | --- |
| **Model name** | Opens the [AI model selector](choose-a-model.md). |
| **Language** | Changes the language of the interface. |
| **Light/dark** | Changes the app's appearance. |
| **Settings** | Opens the [settings window](settings.md). |
| **Temporary chat** | Starts a time-limited chat outside the normal history. |

```{include} ../_includes/ui-composer.md
```

Enter your task in **Message chatBHT**. Selected projects and attachments appear above it. The **X** on an item removes its selection for the chat or the next message.

| In the message field | Effect |
| --- | --- |
| **Paperclip** | With the agent off: uploads files to a project. With the agent on: selects files directly for the agent task. |
| **Agent** | Switches the [agent](../agents/use-agents.md) on or off for this chat. |
| **Agent tools** | Opens profiles, skills and tool permissions. |
| **Microphone** | Opens [speech input](voice-input.md) and [speech translation](voice-translation.md). |
| **Send / Stop** | Sends the message or stops the current response. |

## What is stored where?

A **chat** contains the conversation. A **project** contains files you can use in several chats. A **prompt** defines instructions; a **memory** provides personal background. Selecting a project makes it a knowledge source and does not move chats into a folder.

[Next: Process documents](upload-documents.md)