Sessions
Copy a prompt, paste it into NocoAI in a factory session, and replace the words in [brackets] with your own.
- Fix this issue, and add a test that covers it
- Find out why [the signup form] [fails on Safari] and fix it
- Write tests for [the billing module], then run them
- Plan [the move to TypeScript] before you change any code
A session in Noco Factory is one chat with NocoAI, working as an AI coding agent. Each session has its own cloud machine and its own git branch. Start a session for each task, so NocoAI can work on several tasks at the same time.
Before you begin
- You need the Developer, Maintainer or Owner role in the factory. See Members and roles.
- NocoAI and the machine use credits. See Models and credits.
Start a session
- Open the factory. If a session is open, click New chat in the sessions sidebar. The launcher asks What should we build in [repository]?.
- Optional: click the source chip and select a branch, a pull request or an issue. See What a session works on.
- Optional: click the machine chip and select a machine. The chip shows when the factory has two or more custom machines.
- Optional: click the model chip and select a model. See Models and credits.
- Describe the task in the text box.
- Click Start building (the arrow button), or press Enter. The session opens, and its machine starts.
To start from the repository, use the From the repo list below the text box. It shows open issues and pull requests. Click Fix on an issue or Review on a pull request. The text box fills in "Fix this issue." or "Review this pull request and suggest changes.".
What a session works on
The source chip sets the branch that the session works on. The default is New branch from [default branch]. Type in the chip's search box to find a branch, a pull request or an issue.
| Source | What NocoAI does |
|---|---|
| New branch from [default branch] | Creates a new branch from the default branch, and works on it. |
| A branch other than the default | Works on that branch. |
| A pull request | Checks out the pull request on a new branch. Tell NocoAI what to do on the pull request. |
| An issue | Creates a new branch and works on the issue. You can add details in the text box, or leave it empty. |
New branches are named nocodb-factory/[name]. See Branches and pull requests.
How a session starts
When a session starts, the composer shows the boot steps of its machine under Machine, each with its duration:
- Starting your machine
- Starting its services, when the machine has services
- Cloning [repository]
- Reading the project
When all steps are complete, the composer shows Your machine is ready. The Live screen shows the boot steps too, then the desktop of the machine. See Live screen and preview.
Work with NocoAI
The chat shows what NocoAI does: the files it reads and edits, the commands it runs, and its plan for longer tasks. While NocoAI works, the session shows Working in the sessions sidebar.
| To | Do this |
|---|---|
| Give more instructions while NocoAI works | Type a message and send it. The message waits and sends when the current reply finishes. |
| Stop NocoAI | Click Stop in the composer. NocoAI stops the current turn. The machine keeps running. |
| Add files, for example a screenshot or a log | Attach them to the message. You can attach up to 20 files to one message. |
| Answer a question from NocoAI | NocoAI can stop and ask you to choose. Answer in the chat. |
| Change the model for the next message | Click the model chip in the composer. Each message can use a different model. |
NocoAI can start helper agents for larger tasks. Helper agents show below their session in the sessions sidebar while they run.
The sessions sidebar
The sessions sidebar lists the sessions of the factory under Recents. It shows your sessions and the sessions of other members. To find a session, click the search button and type in Search sessions.
To open the actions of a session, hover over its row and click the ⋮ menu:
| Action | What it does | Who can do it |
|---|---|---|
| Rename | Changes the title of the session. You can also double-click the title in the session header. | The person who started the session |
| Archive | Releases the machine and stores the work of the session. | The person who started the session, and Maintainers and Owners |
| Resume | Opens an archived session again. A new machine starts, and the stored work comes back. | The person who started the session |
| Delete | Deletes the session and its whole transcript. You cannot undo this. | The person who started the session, and Maintainers and Owners |
A new session takes its title from your first message. Then NocoDB gives it a short title.
Archive a session
Archive a session when you finish a task or want to stop for a while. NocoDB stores the commits, and the files that you have not committed. Then it releases the machine. An archived session shows a box icon: "Archived. The machine was released; resume to rebuild it".
To continue, select Resume in the session menu.
An archive can hold up to 256 MB of uncommitted work. If the session has more, commit and push the work first, then archive the session again.
When a machine sleeps
A machine stays awake for 30 minutes after NocoAI's last turn, or after the last time someone viewed the session. Then it pauses. When you open the session or a pane of the side panel again, the machine wakes up.
If the machine of a session is gone, send a message. A new machine starts.
Good to know
- Only the person who started a session can work in it. Other members see the chat as it happens, and a view-only Live screen. See Members and roles.
- The session header shows a pull request chip, for example #123, after NocoAI opens a pull request. See Branches and pull requests.
- If the repository needs tools that the base machine does not have, the launcher can show "This repo needs tools the default machine doesn't have". Click Set up machine. See Machines.
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