---
title: "Use the AI agent step by step"
manual: "AI Foundation"
version: "main"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/nitsan/ns-t3af:ask-ai-agent-steps@main"
source: "AskAiAgent/StepByStep.rst"
rendered: "2026-10-13T14:11:01+00:00"
---

# Use the AI agent step by step {#ask-ai-agent-steps}

**On this page**

-   [Step 1: Open the AI agent on your page](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/nitsan/ns-t3af:step-1-open-the-ai-agent-on-your-page@main)
-   [Step 2: Ask a question](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/nitsan/ns-t3af:step-2-ask-a-question@main)
-   [Step 3: Read the answer](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/nitsan/ns-t3af:step-3-read-the-answer@main)
-   [Step 4: Apply or cancel a change](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/nitsan/ns-t3af:step-4-apply-or-cancel-a-change@main)

## Step 1: Open the AI agent on your page {#step-1-open-the-ai-agent-on-your-page}

The AI agent works on the page you are editing. Select the page first.

1.  Go to **Content > Layout** and select the page you want to work on
    in the page tree.
1.  Click **Ask AI Agent** in the top bar, or press
    `Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+K`. The AI agent window opens on top of the page.
1.  On first use, read the AI disclosure notice and click **Got it**.
1.  Check the **context line** below the title. It shows the page the AI agent
    works on. Requests and changes apply to this page.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> If the context line shows the wrong page, close the AI agent, select the
> right page in the page tree, and open the AI agent again.

## Step 2: Ask a question {#step-2-ask-a-question}

1.  Click into the message field at the bottom of the window.
1.  Type a short request in your own words, for example:

    ```text
    Show me the details of this page.
    ```
1.  **Optional:** in a new conversation, choose the AI provider in the
    dropdown below the message field. **Default: …** uses the default
    provider. After the first answer, the provider is fixed for this
    conversation.
1.  Press `Enter` or click the send button.

![Message field of the AI agent with the AI provider dropdown Default: OpenAI and the send button](../Images/ask-ai-agent-be-composer.png)

> [!TIP]
> Start with a question that only reads data. It is the safest way to learn
> how the AI agent works.

## Step 3: Read the answer {#step-3-read-the-answer}

1.  Wait until the answer is complete. Each tool the AI agent runs is shown as
    a step marked **completed**.
1.  For tasks with several steps, follow the **Progress** list. A step
    that changes data waits for your approval.
1.  If the AI agent asks a follow-up question (`ask_clarification`), answer
    it in the message field. The AI agent asks instead of guessing.

## Step 4: Apply or cancel a change {#step-4-apply-or-cancel-a-change}

When your request requires a change, the AI agent prepares a **change card**
instead of writing data.

![AI agent window with a change card: context line, preview badge, location, Now and New values, check buttons, live hint, Apply and Cancel, the Progress list, and the message field highlighted](../Images/ask-ai-agent-be-approve.png)

1.  Check the **context line** (1). It shows the page the change applies to.
1.  Check the **preview badge** (2). **Preview — nothing changed yet**
    confirms that nothing has been written.
1.  Check the **location** (3): where the record will be created or changed.
1.  Compare each field (4): **Now** is the current value,
    **New** is the proposed value.
1.  Use the **check button** (5) next to a field to include it or leave it out.
1.  Read the **hint** (6) at the bottom of the card. It tells you where the
    change is saved. In the Live workspace it reads
    **On confirm this goes live on the website.**
1.  Click **Apply** (7) to write the change, or **Cancel** to
    discard it. After **Cancel**, nothing is written.
1.  The **Progress** list (8) shows **Waiting for your
    approval** and continues with the next step after your decision.
1.  To change the request instead, type in the **message field** (9).

After **Apply**, the card shows **Changes applied** (see
number 5 in the screenshot under [How it works](https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/nitsan/ns-t3af:ask-ai-agent-how@main)). To revert the
change, click **Undo**.

> [!WARNING]
> An applied change is saved in the **selected workspace**. In
> **Live** it is public immediately. In a draft workspace it stays in
> that workspace until it is published. To review changes before they go
> live, switch to a draft workspace first.

> [!WARNING]
> **Attention**
>
> **Deleting needs two clicks.** The card is shown in red and states that the
> action cannot be undone. The first click (**Confirm (1 of 2)**)
> only arms the action; the second click (**Apply (2 of 2)**) runs
> it. **Undo** restores changed values, but it **cannot** restore
> deleted items.