# Write and edit files

Each file in a brain is a markdown document. You can write in a rich
editor, or switch to plain markdown.

## Create a file

1. Go to **Knowledge** and open the brain.
2. Select **New file**.
3. Enter a **Name**, such as `meeting-notes.md`. To put it in a new
   folder, add the folder with a slash: `q3/plan.md`. New folders are
   created for you.
4. Choose a **Folder**, or leave it at **Top of the brain**.
5. Select **Start writing**.

## Edit a file

1. Open the file and select **Edit**, or the pencil icon beside the
   title.
2. Write in the **Edit** tab. Type `/` for headings, lists and tables.
   Use **Markdown** to see the raw text and **Preview** to see the
   result.
3. Optionally say what you changed under **What changed**. It is kept
   with the change.
4. Select **Save**.

Your change shows **Saved** once it's in. Every save is recorded with
your name.

If someone else saved the file while you were editing, ako tells you:
"This file changed since you opened it." Select **Reload** to start
again from their version, or **Save anyway** to keep yours.

## When a save becomes a proposal

Some saves wait for approval instead of going straight in:

- On the **Draft** role, every change is sent for approval. The button
  reads **Send for approval**.
- In a **protected folder**, such as `ground-truth/`, your save goes
  straight in only if your role can approve. Otherwise it is sent for
  approval.

When that happens, ako links you to the proposal under **Proposals**.
The file shows your change once someone approves it. See
[Review and approve proposals](/brains/review-proposals).

## File properties

A file can open with a short properties block between `---` lines. ako
and agents use it to describe the file:

```yaml
---
type: Decision
title: Move support to a follow-the-sun rota
description: Why we split support hours across three time zones.
tags: [support, decisions]
---
```

You see the properties under **Properties** at the top of a file. To
change them, edit the file and switch to the **Markdown** tab. ako fills
in the title, timestamp and authors itself when a file is saved.

## Ask about a file

Select **Ask about this** at the bottom of any file. It starts a chat
with the assistant in that brain.