nios
Chats

Chat modes

Switch between Agent mode for task execution and Ask mode for exploration.

The chat mode selector in the chat interface lets you switch between two modes that control what the chat can do. Select a mode from the dropdown before sending your message.

Agent mode

Use Agent mode when you want the chat to actively perform tasks for you.

In Agent mode, the chat can:

  • Generate a bill of materials based on your inputs
  • Update and refine your bill of materials
  • Compare your calculated environmental impacts with other products

Think of it as a hands-on assistant fully integrated in the platform that creates and updates your products.

Example requests

Create a bom for 1 ton of crude steel produced in Germany based on electric arc furnace (EAF) method.
Compare the biodiversity impact of switching from conventional cotton to organic cotton.

Ask mode

Use Ask mode when you want to explore or understand your data without changing product data.

In Ask mode, the chat can:

  • Answer clarifying questions about your measurements
  • Explain methods, results, or data sources
  • Describe how specific impacts are calculated
  • Clarify methodology choices and confidence levels

Ask mode is your safe space for discovery and learning, without altering any data.

Example requests

Why is the biodiversity impact of my wool sweater so high compared to synthetic alternatives?
What data sources are used for land use calculations in Southeast Asia?

Choosing the right mode

ScenarioMode
Create or update a bill of materialsAgent
Calculate environmental impactsAgent
Run a product comparisonAgent
Understand what a result meansAsk
Learn how an impact was calculatedAsk
Explore methodology or data sourcesAsk