# Write a document with ako

A document session puts the conversation on one side and the document on
the other. You talk, ako writes, and you can edit the document yourself
as you go.

As of 2026-10-14, documents are in beta.

## Start a document

1. Select **New document** in the sidebar.
2. Optionally give it a **Name**, such as "Q4 planning brief". You can
   name it later.
3. Choose **Where it lives**:
   - **Personal**: private to you while you work on it.
   - **A shared brain**: pick the **Brain** and **Folder**. Everyone who
     can open that brain sees the document from the first line, not
     only when it's finished.
4. Select **Start writing**.
5. Tell ako what you need, for example "Draft a one-page brief for the
   Q4 launch using the roadmap and last month's decisions".

The document pane shows **Ako is working…** while it writes, and
**Saved** once your edits are in. Select **Open in Knowledge** to see
the file in its brain.

## Things to know

- You need the Write role or above to start a document in a shared
  brain.
- A file in a protected folder can't be saved as you type. Open it in
  **Knowledge** and send your change for approval instead.