> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.overcontrolgroup.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using OverControl

> Learn how sessions, context, files, web search, sharing, and exports behave while working in the OverControl workspace.

OverControl gives you a private workspace for conversations, documents, web research, shareable links, and exportable sessions.

This guide explains how the main workspace actions fit together, so you can work with sensitive information more clearly and avoid common mistakes.

***

<Note>
  New to OverControl? Start with the [quickstart](/quickstart) first. This guide is for understanding the workspace after your first session.
</Note>

## How the workspace works

The OverControl workspace is built around sessions.

A session is the active workspace where you send messages, add context, upload files, use web search, share conversations, and export your work when needed.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Private chat" icon="message">
    Ask questions, draft text, summarize notes, and reason through sensitive context.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Documents" icon="file-text">
    Upload files during a session and ask OverControl to summarize, review, or extract information.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Web search" icon="search">
    Use external sources when your task needs recent information or source-based research.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Share and export" icon="share">
    Share a conversation with a controlled link, or save a local copy before the session is removed.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Start with one clear session goal

Use one session for one topic, task, or document set.

This keeps the context focused and makes the output easier to review, share, continue, or export later.

<Tip>
  Start a new session when you change topic, switch documents, or move from private notes to web research.
</Tip>

Good session goals include:

* reviewing one document;
* drafting one email or message;
* summarizing one meeting note;
* researching one topic;
* comparing a small set of options;
* preparing one decision or action plan.

Avoid mixing unrelated work in the same session. Too much unrelated context can make answers less precise.

***

## Give OverControl enough context

Clear prompts usually produce better answers.

Instead of asking:

```text theme={null}
Can you improve this?
```

write:

```text theme={null}
Rewrite this message in a clear, professional tone. Keep it short and do not add new claims.
```

Instead of asking:

```text theme={null}
What should I do?
```

write:

```text theme={null}
Based only on the information below, list the main options, risks, and next steps.
```

A useful prompt usually includes:

* the task you want completed;
* the context OverControl should use;
* the format you want back;
* any limits, such as “do not add information” or “use only this document.”

***

## Work with documents

Use document upload when the information OverControl needs is inside a file.

After uploading a file, ask a specific question about it.

For example:

```text theme={null}
Summarize this document using only the information in the file. If something is not stated, say "Not included in the document."
```

For a more structured result, ask for the exact output you need:

```text theme={null}
Extract the key points, dates, risks, and action items from this document. Use a table.
```

For review tasks, be specific about the role of the answer:

```text theme={null}
Review this document for unclear language, missing details, and possible follow-up questions. Do not rewrite the full document.
```

<Note>
  Uploaded documents are processed during the active session. If you need to keep or share the result, use export or share before ending the session.
</Note>

***

## Use web search only when it helps

Use web search when your task needs recent information, external sources, or source-based research.

Good uses for web search include:

* checking current documentation;
* finding official sources;
* comparing public information;
* researching recent updates;
* collecting sources for a summary.

For example:

```text theme={null}
Search the web for the latest official documentation about JavaScript array methods. Summarize the key points.
```

You usually do not need web search for:

* rewriting private notes;
* summarizing an uploaded document;
* drafting text from context you already provided;
* extracting information from a file;
* brainstorming based on your own instructions.

<Tip>
  Web search is designed to bring external information into your private session without exposing your workspace context. Use it when outside sources can improve the answer.
</Tip>

***

## Share a conversation

Use sharing when you want someone else to view a conversation without exporting and sending a file manually.

You can create a share link in one click, choose when the link expires, and add a password if the conversation needs extra protection.

Sharing is useful when you want to:

* send a summary to a teammate;
* share document analysis with a client or collaborator;
* give someone temporary access to a conversation;
* avoid copying sensitive content into another tool;
* control how long the shared link remains available.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the conversation">
    Open the session or conversation you want to share.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a share link">
    Click **Share** to generate a link for the conversation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose an expiration">
    Select how long the link should remain active.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a password if needed">
    Set a password when the shared conversation contains sensitive information or should only be viewed by specific people.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy and send the link">
    Copy the link and share it with the intended recipient.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Use shorter expiration times for sensitive conversations. Add a password when you cannot fully control who may receive the link.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Anyone with access to the share link, and the password if one is set, may be able to view the shared conversation until the link expires.
</Warning>

***

## Export important work

If you want to keep a local copy of a conversation, export it before leaving the session.

Exporting is useful when you want to:

* keep a summary;
* save a draft;
* preserve document analysis;
* continue work later;
* store a local record of a decision;
* keep work after a share link expires.

<Note>
  Use share when someone else needs temporary access. Use export when you need your own local copy.
</Note>

<Warning>
  Exported conversations are under your control. Store them carefully if they contain sensitive information. OverControl allow you to set a password to hide the conversation content.
</Warning>

***

## Import previous work

If you have an exported OverControl file, you can import it back into the workspace.

Use import when you want to continue from a previous conversation or revisit work you saved locally.

Keep imported sessions focused. If the imported conversation contains too much old context, start a new session and copy only the parts you still need.

***

## Suggested workflow

Use this workflow when working with sensitive information:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Define the task">
    Decide what you want from the session before adding too much context.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add only relevant context">
    Paste or upload the information needed for the task. Avoid adding unrelated material.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the right action">
    Use chat for reasoning, documents for file-based work, and web search for recent or external sources.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ask for a clear format">
    Request a table, checklist, summary, draft, action plan, or comparison when helpful.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the output">
    Check the answer before using it, especially when the task involves sensitive, legal, financial, medical, or business information.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Share or export if needed">
    Share the conversation with a controlled link, or export a local copy before leaving the session.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Common mistakes to avoid

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Using one session for too many topics">
    Keep each session focused on one task or topic. Start a new session when the context changes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Uploading a document without a clear task">
    After uploading a file, ask for a specific result such as a summary, table, list of risks, or action items.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Using web search when you do not need sources">
    Use web search when external information improves the answer. For private notes or uploaded documents, stay inside the session unless outside sources are required.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sharing a conversation without limits">
    Choose an expiration time and add a password when the conversation contains sensitive information.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Forgetting to export important work">
    If you need to keep a conversation locally, export it before the session is removed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Asking vague questions">
    Include the task, context, desired format, and any limits. Clear instructions produce more useful answers.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Privacy and security" icon="shield" href="/privacy-security">
    Understand how conversations, files, web access, deletion, sharing, and account information are handled.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Models" icon="brain" href="/models">
    Learn how to choose the right model for your task.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Plans and usage" icon="credit-card" href="/plans">
    Compare plans, usage limits, model access, document features, and upgrade paths.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>