> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.userlane.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.userlane.com/assistance/content-operations/authoring/create-and-manage-content.md).

# Create and manage content

Authoring tools that apply across content types: AI drafting and refinement, text formatting, attachments, and appearance settings.

Each Userlane content type has its own creation flow, covered in the article for that type. This article covers the tools that work across content types: AI drafting and refinement, text formatting, attachments, and appearance settings.

## Where to create each type

[Guides](/assistance/in-app-guidance/creating-guides.md), [tooltips](/assistance/in-app-guidance/creating-tooltips.md), [validators](/assistance/in-app-guidance/validators.md), [tasks](/intelligence/tasks/create-a-task-in-the-editor.md), [tags](/intelligence/tags/create-a-tag-in-the-editor.md), and [Contextual Actions](/assistance/in-app-guidance/creating-contextual-actions.md) are created in the Editor[^1], which opens as an overlay on your application.

[Announcements](/assistance/change-communication/announcements.md), [standard and NPS surveys](/intelligence/surveys.md), and [goals](/intelligence/goals.md) are created in the portal. The CSAT survey is managed by Userlane.

For an orientation to the Editor layout and sidebar, see [A tour of the Editor](/assistance/a-tour-of-the-editor.md). For help choosing a type, see [Userlane content types](/assistance/content-operations/authoring/userlane-content-types.md).

## AI drafting and refinement

Userlane includes a built-in content agent[^2] that helps write and improve content. When you create a [guide](/assistance/in-app-guidance/creating-guides.md), the **AI** tab lets you generate text from a short prompt describing what the content should achieve. You can also upload a document (PDF or DOCX), such as process documentation or an internal help article, to give the agent more context. The generated text fills every step of the guide at once, so you start with a complete draft.

AI drafting is available for guides only. For [tooltips](/assistance/in-app-guidance/creating-tooltips.md), [validators](/assistance/in-app-guidance/validators.md), and [announcements](/assistance/change-communication/announcements.md), the content agent offers refinement instead: it improves text that already exists, whether it was generated or written by hand. Refinement also works on guides, so drafting produces the first version and refinement tightens it.

All content types created in the Editor also support auto-translate, which translates content into the other languages configured for the application in one step. Translation setup and bulk workflows are covered in [Languages](/assistance/content-operations/languages.md).

{% hint style="warning" %}
**AI-generated text is a starting point.** Review and edit before publishing. The content agent uses the recorded elements and the prompt to produce relevant text, but the output may need corrections for tone, accuracy, or completeness.
{% endhint %}

## Customize content and appearance

### Text formatting

[Guide](/assistance/in-app-guidance/creating-guides.md) steps, [tooltips](/assistance/in-app-guidance/creating-tooltips.md), and [announcements](/assistance/change-communication/announcements.md) support bold, italic, bulleted lists, and numbered lists. The formatting toolbar appears inside the text editing area. Validator hint text, chapter and guide titles, and the welcome slide do not support formatting.

### Attachments

You can add attachments to guide steps and announcements, where they appear inline alongside the text the end user reads. Images, GIFs, and videos are available.

### Brand and design

Brand colors, button styling, and the Assistant's appearance (avatar image, screen position, and whether the avatar can be dragged) are set in the portal under **Customize** > **Design**, not in the Editor. These are application-level settings: changing a brand color changes it everywhere Userlane appears in that application.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://259567114-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FF6bxg8i3T6U4vZ3k7PHi%2Fuploads%2FK0anzUWy4DGIljgrd8tW%2Fcustomise.png?alt=media&#x26;token=926259ae-4f12-4f79-a61c-a2a00603e054" alt="The Design settings under Customize in the Userlane portal"><figcaption><p>Brand and Assistant appearance settings in the portal.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## Relevant articles

{% content-ref url="/pages/ekWOHrKxU3Yp6xV24fPM" %}
[Userlane content types](/assistance/content-operations/authoring/userlane-content-types.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/brm1JWKM3yHqhKU1n5G2" %}
[A tour of the Editor](/assistance/a-tour-of-the-editor.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/CIerDK8LXMzMPa8Zey5u" %}
[Languages](/assistance/content-operations/languages.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/HGvA2yvKz1f1Ux8Nm4PS" %}
[Guides: build, maintain, and make them effective](/best-practices/guides-build-maintain-and-make-them-effective.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## FAQ

<details>

<summary>Can AI draft content for all content types?</summary>

No. AI drafting (generating text from a prompt) is available for guides only. AI refinement (improving existing text) is available for guides, announcements, tooltips, and validators. Auto-translate is available for all Editor content types.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Which content types support text formatting?</summary>

Guide steps, tooltips, and announcements support bold, italic, bulleted lists, and numbered lists. Validator hint text, titles, and the welcome slide do not.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Which content types support images?</summary>

Guide steps and announcements. Tooltips, validators, and the welcome slide do not support images.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Where is appearance customized?</summary>

In the portal under **Customize** > **Design**. Brand colors, button styling, and the Assistant's avatar and position are set there. The settings apply across all content in the application.

</details>

[^1]: The Editor is the workspace where Userlane content is built, separate from the portal where content is targeted and analytics are viewed.

[^2]: The content agent is Userlane's built-in AI writing tool. It drafts guide text from a prompt and an optional uploaded document, and refines existing text in guides, announcements, tooltips, and validators.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.userlane.com/assistance/content-operations/authoring/create-and-manage-content.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
