> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.replit.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Chats > Use chats to ask questions, run routines, create new projects, and request features or fixes in existing projects through background tasks you can review. Replit Chat window with a message thread and prompt box Every task in Replit starts with a chat. From there, you can ask questions, explore information, schedule a Routine, create something new, or request changes to an existing project. * Start building in a chat. * Use it to ask questions and run Routines. * Gather context, attach files, and clarify what you want to make. * Ask Replit to find an existing project and delegate a feature or fix as a background task. * When the work becomes substantial, ask Replit to turn the chat into a project. The context and files you gathered carry forward. > [!NOTE] > > Chats are private until you share them. You can > [share a chat with teammates in your workspace](/features/chats-and-routines/sharing) > for read-only review. To collaborate on building an app, ask Replit to create a project. Learn more: [Work with projects from a chat](/chat/continue-or-create-a-project). ![Sanitized Replit Workspace home with Projects, Chats, Routines, suggested prompts, and the Chat message box](https://mintcdn.com/replit/teDUL4A-lNO7dv1O/images/chat/start-new-conversation-home-sanitized-neutral.jpg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=teDUL4A-lNO7dv1O\&q=85\&s=cf93f549696aff0eab748dd953aea0b6) ## Start a new chat **1. Select New** Select **New** in the Replit sidebar. ![Replit sidebar with the New button above Search, Projects, Routines, and other navigation entries](https://mintcdn.com/replit/teDUL4A-lNO7dv1O/images/chat/start-new-conversation-sidebar.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=teDUL4A-lNO7dv1O\&q=85\&s=52b729bd549daddbde87f995c8f0b4b1) **2. Write your request** Use the prompt box to write your request. For example, ask Replit: "Summarize our Slack activity from this week and flag messages that need my reply." ![Replit Chat home screen with suggested prompts and a message box for chatting with Replit or giving it a task](https://mintcdn.com/replit/teDUL4A-lNO7dv1O/images/chat/replit-conversation-home.jpg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=teDUL4A-lNO7dv1O\&q=85\&s=ab82b3d581eb83c0d5f90c3e6fcd918e) ## Start with what you want to do ### Ask a question Replit can research and analyze information from the web, connected tools, and uploaded files. Ask a focused question or provide the context Replit should use. For example, ask Replit to summarize your Slack activity from this week and flag messages that need your reply. ### Run a routine A Routine schedules recurring work inside a chat. Replit returns each result to the same chat, where you can review and continue the work. Learn more about [Routines](/chat/routines). For example, ask Replit to review Slack every morning and return your priorities. ### Describe an outcome A chat can turn an idea, research, or an insight into a concrete result, such as an app, presentation, or design. For example, ask Replit to create a simple project tracker for your team. ### Update an existing project Ask Replit to find a project and delegate a change as a background task. The request starts in your chat; the task runs in the project. > Find my budgeting app and create a task to add CSV export. Link me to the task. Open the linked task to follow its progress and review the changes. Your chat stays a chat, and requesting an edit does not automatically publish your app. Follow the [update an existing project walkthrough](/chat/continue-or-create-a-project#update-an-existing-project). ### Learn more Explore a focused example for each path. Ask questions Prepare for a customer call Bring together connected sources and prepare a focused call brief.Explore → [Open](/use-cases/prepare-for-a-customer-call) Run a routine Schedule a routine Schedule recurring work and review each result in the same chat. Explore → [Open](/schedule-a-routine) Describe an outcome Build on insight Create a dashboard, app, or tool around the information that matters.Explore → [Open](/build/your-first-app) Update an existing project Improve an existing app Delegate a feature or fix, then open the linked task to review changes.Follow the walkthrough → [Open](/chat/continue-or-create-a-project#update-an-existing-project) ## Next steps Prompting helps you tell Replit what you need, point to useful context, and give clear direction. Start there, or follow a complete research example. Recommended next step Prompting Learn how to give Replit useful direction and context.Continue → [Open](/chat/prompting) Research and analyze Prepare for a customer call Bring together connected sources and prepare a focused call brief.Explore the use case → [Open](/use-cases/prepare-for-a-customer-call) Continue with [Prompting](/chat/prompting) to learn how to turn an initial idea into a clear request for Replit.