---
title: "Your first AI request"
description: "Review the text you send, then decide what to keep."
canonical: https://editmd.app/docs/ai-use/
markdown: https://editmd.app/docs/ai-use.md
status: pre-release, waiting list open
generated: editmd-website
---

# Your first AI request

Review the text you send, then decide what to keep.

## Start with a short, non-sensitive example

Use a small paragraph you wrote for practice. For example:

> It can be helpful to take the time to write an idea down in a way that makes sense to you.

Set up and test a connection in [AI Connections](/docs/ai-setup/) first. Ask-only local models cannot run the editing exercise; use **Ask this document** instead.

## Improve a selection

1. Select the paragraph in the editor.
2. Choose **AI** in the formatting bar to open **AI document actions**.
3. Choose a ready connection and **Improve clarity**. Other selection actions include Shorten, Expand, Change tone, Translate and Custom instruction.
4. Read the exact scope shown in the dialog, including any surrounding context you choose to include. Check the provider and model.
5. Choose **Send to OpenAI** or **Send to OpenRouter**, as appropriate. macOS then asks once more; the approved text leaves your Mac only after you confirm.
6. Read each proposed edit. Choose **Accept** or **Reject**, then use **Apply accepted edits** for the changes you want.
7. Inspect the document and save with **⌘S**. Accepted edits are undoable and are not saved automatically.

The apply button includes the number of accepted edits. If the document changed while a request was running, review the app's stale-result message and start again with the current text rather than forcing an old proposal into place.

## Ask a question

Choose **Ask this document**, enter a question that can be answered from the document, and inspect the displayed scope. A useful first question is “What is the main idea?”

For local Ollama, choose **Run with Ollama**. For a remote connection, use its **Send** action. Read the answer against your source; an answer is guidance, not a change to the file.

## Know the scope

The dialog shows the authorised selection or current-document text. It does not silently add other tabs, the workspace tree, linked resources or prompt history. Sensitive information already written inside the approved text is still part of that text.

Review the actual words, not only the displayed byte count. Provider policies and your authority to share the content still matter. Never include API keys in a request.

## Review, structure and metadata

Remote connections can also offer document review, structure changes, and metadata/task suggestions. Available actions depend on the provider and tested model. Start with a small scope and review the proposed effect before applying it.

The [website walkthrough](/docs/) uses authored sample proposals so you can learn the accept/reject interaction without connecting an account. It does not generate a response to your instruction.

## Turn it off or disconnect

Turn off **Enable AI Revision & Review** in Preferences to stop using the feature. To remove a connection, use **Disconnect** (remote providers) or **Remove** (Ollama) in its saved connection controls. Disconnecting a remote connection deletes its local Keychain item; it does not revoke the key at the provider. Revoke a key in the provider account when you no longer want it usable elsewhere.

Group: Optional AI. Handbook index: https://editmd.app/docs.md