# Getting Started with Nola

Getting started with Nola is simple. This guide will show you how to access Nola and start using her to build your app.

## How to Access Nola

Nola is available directly within the Noloco app builder. Here's how to open Nola:

1. **Open your Noloco app** in Build Mode
2. **Look for the Nola tab** in the top-left tab of your app studio
3. **Click the icon** to open the Nola chat interface

That's it! Nola is now ready to help you build.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you don't see the Nola tab, make sure you're on a supported plan (Free, Starter, Pro, or Business). Some legacy plans don't have access to Nola.
{% endhint %}

## Your First Conversation with Nola

When you first open Nola, you'll see a friendly welcome message and some suggested actions to get started. Here are some great first requests to try:

### Example Starter Requests

**For New Apps:**

* "Help me create a Customers table with contact information"
* "Generate 10 sample records for my Projects table"
* "Set up a basic CRM structure for my business"

**For Existing Apps:**

* "Link my Customers table to my Orders table"
* "Create a [workflow](https://guides.noloco.io/workflows/workflows) that sends an email when a task is marked complete"
* "Add a [dashboard page](https://guides.noloco.io/pages/blank-pages) with [charts](https://guides.noloco.io/views/display/charts) showing my sales data"

## Understanding Nola's Responses

When you make a request, Nola will:

1. **Confirm she understands** what you're asking for
2. **Take action** or ask clarifying questions if needed
3. **Explain what she did** so you can learn and verify
4. **Suggest next steps** to continue building

### Example Conversation

**You:** "Create a Tasks table"

**Nola:** "I'll create a Tasks table for you. What fields would you like to include? I suggest:

* Task Name (text)
* Description (long text)
* Due Date (date)
* Status (single select: To Do, In Progress, Complete)
* Assigned To (linked to Users)

Would you like me to proceed with these fields, or would you like to customize them?"

**You:** "That looks perfect, go ahead"

**Nola:** "Done! I've created your Tasks table with those 5 fields. The table is now available in your data sources. Would you like me to:

* Create a view to display these tasks?
* Generate some sample data?
* Set up a workflow for task notifications?"

## Tips for Communicating with Nola

### Be Specific

The more details you provide, the better Nola can help.

❌ **Vague:** "Add a form" ✅ **Specific:** "Add a form for creating new customer records that includes name, email, phone, and company fields"

### Break Down Complex Requests

For complex tasks, consider breaking them into steps.

❌ **Too Complex:** "Build me a complete project management system with tasks, clients, timesheets, and invoicing" ✅ **Step by Step:**

1. "Create a Projects table with name, client, start date, and status"
2. "Now create a Tasks table linked to Projects"
3. "Add a timesheet tracking feature"

### Use Natural Language

You don't need special commands or syntax—just talk to Nola naturally.

✅ "Can you help me..." ✅ "I need to..." ✅ "How do I..." ✅ "Show me how to..."

### Ask Questions

Not sure how something works? Just ask!

✅ "How do [workflows](https://guides.noloco.io/workflows/workflows) work in Noloco?" ✅ "What's the difference between a [rollup](https://guides.noloco.io/data/collections/rollups) and a [lookup field](https://guides.noloco.io/data/collections/lookup-fields)?" ✅ "Can you explain [permissions](https://guides.noloco.io/users-and-permissions/user-roles-and-permissions) to me?"

## What Happens When Nola Takes Action

When Nola makes changes to your app:

* **Changes are immediate** - You'll see them reflected in your app builder
* **Changes can be undone** - Use Noloco's undo button or manually revert changes
* **You stay in control** - Nola will ask for confirmation before making major changes

{% hint style="warning" %}
Always review changes Nola makes, especially before [publishing](https://guides.noloco.io/settings/publishing) your app to your team or clients.
{% endhint %}

## Nola's Current Context

Nola is context-aware, meaning she understands:

* What app you're working on
* What page you're looking at
* What tables and fields you have
* Where you are in the builder
* What you've previously discussed in the conversation

This means you can have natural, flowing conversations without repeating context.

**Example:** **You:** "Create a Customers table" **Nola:** \[creates table] **You:** "Now add an Orders table linked to it" **Nola:** \[knows "it" refers to Customers and creates the link]

## When to Use Nola vs. Manual Building

### Use Nola When:

* Setting up new data structures
* Generating sample data
* Creating [workflows](https://guides.noloco.io/workflows/workflows)
* Learning new features
* You want to save time on repetitive tasks

### Build Manually When:

* Fine-tuning visual design
* Making small tweaks to existing elements
* You want precise control over every detail
* Nola can't *yet* do what you need her to

{% hint style="success" %}
**Best Practice**: Use Nola to get 80% of the way there quickly, then manually fine-tune the remaining 20% to your exact preferences.
{% endhint %}

## Getting Help

If you're not sure what Nola can do, just ask:

* "What can you help me with?"
* "Show me examples of what you can do"
* "Help me understand \[feature name]"

## Next Steps

Now that you know how to access and communicate with Nola, learn more about what she can do:

{% content-ref url="what-nola-can-do" %}
[what-nola-can-do](https://guides.noloco.io/nola/what-nola-can-do)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="tips-and-best-practices" %}
[tips-and-best-practices](https://guides.noloco.io/nola/tips-and-best-practices)
{% endcontent-ref %}