Documents in the editor (Canvas)

Chats often produce text that is more than just an answer: a concept, an offer, a note, a briefing. So you do not have to switch between chat and an external editor all the time, 9brains has a built-in Markdown editor. You open a document next to the chat, keep writing, let the AI work on it in parallel, and see changes live.

Open a document

There are three ways into the editor:

• Through the Files button in the header. As soon as your session contains files, a button with the count appears in the top right. A click opens a list of all workspace files for that session. Markdown files open in the editor with a single click, other files (PDFs, images, …) can be downloaded from the list.
• Through the file name in an AI reply. When the AI creates or changes a Markdown file for you, it links the file in its answer. A click on the link opens the document directly in the editor, no need to look for it in the file list.
• Through the work steps in the chat. The lines “Writing file”, “Editing file” and “Reading file” are also clickable when they refer to a Markdown file.

Edit together with the AI

The editor and the chat share the same file.

• If you type in the editor, your work is saved when you leave the editor (switch tabs or click back into the chat). A small status indicator in the header shows “Saving …”, then briefly “Saved”.
• If you let the AI do the writing (“shorten the intro”, “add a summary at the top”), the editor updates live as soon as the AI finishes. No reload needed.
• What happens if both write at the same time? If you are typing in the editor while the AI is changing the same area, 9brains detects the conflict and shows you a notice. The editor reloads the current version. Your changes were still local up to that point. You can copy them and paste them in again before continuing.

View, compare and restore versions

Every change to the document is automatically saved as a version. Via Download at the top of the editor you open the Version history.

• History: the list shows all versions, newest first, with timestamp and size.
• Compare: tick two rows in the list. Below the list, a diff appears showing what was added (green) and what was removed (red).
• Restore: each older version carries a “Restore” button. After confirmation, the older version becomes the new current version. The previously current version stays in the history, so nothing is lost.

Export as PDF or Word

Via the same Download button you can export the document:

• Export as PDF for forwarding by email or printing
• Export as Word to continue editing in Microsoft Word, LibreOffice or Google Docs
• Download original (.md) delivers the raw file

The filename follows the document name, you do not have to enter anything when saving.

Resize the panel

Need more room for the document, or more for the chat? Drag the divider between chat and editor left or right. The new width applies for the current session. The next time you open the editor it starts with the default width again.

Agent workspace vs. session workspace

When you work in an agent chat, you can open files from both that session and the persistent agent workspace in the editor. The file list separates the two areas (“From this session” / “From the agent workspace”) so you see at a glance where a file lives.

Files in the agent workspace (AGENTS.md, reference templates, …) survive across many chats. Session files are tied to a single chat.

Mobile

On a smartphone the editor opens full screen on top of the chat. Tap the X in the top left to return to the chat. All functions (editing, versions, export, saving) work on a smartphone exactly as on a desktop.

Privacy

Documents you edit in the editor stay in your workspace and are stored encrypted just like all other workspace files. Versions live in the same encrypted storage. Details about storage location and encryption are in the privacy overview.