How the AI chat works

What is AI context

AI context is the set of information you attach to a conversation so the AI can answer with the right details. It can include documents, short excerpts from documents, and notes you created in the workspace.

Here is how it works in the UI:

1. Add items from search results using Add to context.
2. Use the attachment menu in the chat input to pick documents or notes directly.
3. Review the context panel above the chat box to see what is included.
4. Remove anything that is no longer relevant before you ask your question.

The AI does not scan your whole workspace by default. It only reasons from the items you added, which keeps answers focused and easier to verify.

Want to find the right documents first? See Search in Contradic.

Global search

You can change how the AI sources its information using the Sources toggle near the context panel:

• Selected sources: The AI will only provide answers from the documents and notes you explicitly added to the context. This keeps the answers highly targeted and focused.
• Search all sources: The assistant will automatically search across all available knowledge sources in your workspace to find the best context to answer your question. This is ideal when you don’t know exactly which documents contain the answer.

Want to understand how this search pulls the best evidence without reading your entire workspace? See How Global Search works.

Note: Adding extracts directly to the context from the chat screen requires you to be in the Selected sources mode.

Context limits

Your chat has a capacity for context that you can adjust depending on your needs. Use the Context size toggle to select between:

• Standard: Capped at 270,000 tokens (roughly 500 pages). This is the default and is required if you are using the Search all sources mode.
• Max: Uses the full context limit of the selected AI model (e.g., up to ~800,000 tokens, or roughly 1500 pages, on advanced models). This allows for much larger collections but is only available when using Selected sources.

You can see this capacity in the context meter on the right of the chat input:

• The percentage shows how full the context is based on your selected size.
• When it turns red, the context is over the limit.
• If the limit is reached, you will not be able to add more items until you remove some.

To stay within the limit:

1. Attach only the most relevant documents or excerpts.
2. Remove older items that are no longer needed.
3. Start a new conversation if you want to switch to a different topic.