> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.alterhq.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Window Types: Notch, Hub, and Panels

> Understand Alter's interface modes, including Notch interactions, The Hub, and the Quick Panel

<Info>
  **Two interfaces, one powerful experience.** Use the Quick Panel for fast interactions and The Hub for deep work.
</Info>

## Two Ways to Interact

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="The Hub" icon="layout">
    Full workspace with tabs, sidebar, and comprehensive management
  </Card>

  <Card title="Quick Panel" icon="message-square">
    Lightweight floating panel for quick queries and voice commands
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

### General Concept

Alter provides two main interfaces for interacting with AI:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="layout-dashboard" title="The Hub">
    The main window interface with tabs, sidebar, and comprehensive workspace management. Best for:

    * Extended conversations
    * Workspace management
    * Multi-tasking with multiple contexts
    * Reviewing meeting transcripts
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="message-circle" title="Quick Panel">
    The lightweight floating panel accessible from the notch or hotkey. Perfect for:

    * Quick queries
    * Voice commands
    * Fast context additions
    * Rapid interactions
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Hub Interface

<Frame>
  The Hub is divided into three main sections:

  1. **Sidebar** - Navigation for conversations, workspaces, transcripts, and more
  2. **Main Content Area** - Tabbed interface showing active content
  3. **Input Area** - Prompt box and context management
</Frame>

### Opening The Hub

<Steps>
  <Step title="Keyboard shortcut">
    Press `Shift + Cmd + H`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Menu bar">
    Select "Open The Hub" from the Alter menu bar icon
  </Step>

  <Step title="From a conversation">
    Open a conversation link from a floating panel
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Tab Types

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Conversations" icon="message-square">
    Chat sessions with AI models
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workspaces" icon="folder-open">
    Collections of files, folders, and apps
  </Card>

  <Card title="Transcripts" icon="file-audio">
    Meeting transcriptions and recordings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Calendar Events" icon="calendar">
    Scheduled meetings and events
  </Card>

  <Card title="Scheduled Jobs" icon="clock">
    Automated tasks and workflows
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Keyboard Shortcuts

| Shortcut           | Action                     |
| ------------------ | -------------------------- |
| `Cmd + B`          | Toggle sidebar visibility  |
| `Cmd + W`          | Close active tab           |
| `Cmd + Option + →` | Next tab                   |
| `Cmd + Option + ←` | Previous tab               |
| `Cmd + K`          | Clear all contexts         |
| `Cmd + Delete`     | Delete active conversation |

### Managing Contexts

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add context">
    Drag and drop files, or use `@` in the prompt box
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate">
    Use arrow keys to move between contexts
  </Step>

  <Step title="Clear">
    Press `Cmd + K` to remove all contexts
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Inspector Panel

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Conversation Details" icon="info">
    Metadata, export options, sharing links
  </Card>

  <Card title="Context Management" icon="layers">
    See all contexts in current conversation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workspace Info" icon="folder">
    Statistics, files, and settings
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Toggle the Inspector using the sidebar icon or inspector button.

***

## Quick Panel Interface

The Quick Panel (accessible from the notch) is divided into three sections:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="1. Context" icon="layers">
    Your selected files, apps, and references
  </Card>

  <Card title="2. Prompt" icon="edit">
    Where you type or speak your request
  </Card>

  <Card title="3. Additional Selection" icon="plus">
    Quick access to models and actions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Navigation

Use keyboard shortcuts in the Quick Panel:

* `←`, `↑`, `→`, `↓` - Navigate between objects
* `Enter` - Select an object
* `@` - Add elements to context
* `#` - Show conversation history
* `>` - Show meeting history
* `/` - List and choose model
* `?` - Show help menu

<Note>
  See the **Prompt Box** section below for more keyboard shortcuts.
</Note>

***

## The Context Section

The **Context** section displays elements sent to Alter for reference.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Files" icon="file">
    Documents, images, audio files
  </Card>

  <Card title="Text Selection" icon="text">
    Selected text from any app
  </Card>

  <Card title="Transcripts" icon="headphones">
    Audio and YouTube transcripts
  </Card>

  <Card title="Folders" icon="folder">
    Entire directories
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workspaces" icon="briefcase">
    Saved workspace collections
  </Card>

  <Card title="Applications" icon="app-window">
    Current app context
  </Card>

  <Card title="Web Pages" icon="globe">
    URLs and web content
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Keyboard Navigation

| Key             | Action              |
| --------------- | ------------------- |
| `←` `↑` `→` `↓` | Navigate contexts   |
| `Space`         | Add/remove selected |
| `Cmd + K`       | Remove all contexts |

### Using Your Clipboard

Paste content directly: `Cmd + V`

Your clipboard content is automatically added to Alter's context.

***

## The Prompt Box

The **Prompt Box** is where the magic happens.

<Frame>
  Start typing your prompt or an Alter Action title to send it to your AI model.
</Frame>

### Keyboard Shortcuts

| Shortcut        | Action                             |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `Enter`         | Send prompt with active model      |
| `Cmd + Enter`   | Search the web (via Gemini)        |
| `Shift + Enter` | New line                           |
| `@`             | Add elements to context            |
| `#`             | Show conversation history          |
| `>`             | Show meeting transcription history |
| `/`             | List and choose model              |
| `?`             | Show help menu                     |

<Tip>
  **Invoke Actions:** Type any character in an Action's title to trigger it!
</Tip>

### Help Menu

<Frame>
  ![Help menu](https://beehiiv-images-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/asset/file/5c14ac40-d9bd-4912-bf57-85f853ad441d/image.png?t=1741473617)
</Frame>

Press `?` in the prompt box to see all available shortcuts.

***

## Conversation Windows

### Resizing Windows

Customize conversation window size for your workflow:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Width" icon="move-horizontal">
    Drag edges horizontally to resize
  </Card>

  <Card title="Height" icon="move-vertical">
    Drag edges vertically to resize
  </Card>

  <Card title="Layout" icon="layout">
    Fit alongside other applications
  </Card>

  <Card title="Persistent" icon="save">
    Size is remembered for future sessions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  **Useful for:** Side-by-side work, reviewing long documents, screen sharing, different display setups
</Info>

### Continuous Speech-to-Prompt

Have extended voice conversations without touching your keyboard:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Hold voice hotkey">
    Press and hold `Fn` (or your configured key)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Speak naturally">
    Say your prompt out loud
  </Step>

  <Step title="Release">
    Let go to send to conversation
  </Step>

  <Step title="Keep going">
    Each voice prompt adds to the same thread
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Hands-free workflow:** Perfect for brainstorming, dictation, or when your hands are busy.
</Tip>

***

## Conversation History

### Managing Chat History

Access history by typing `#` in the prompt box or using The Hub's sidebar.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/alter-95c0cbf0/mqOlxKVGMNCfrprc/images/other/history-tags.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=mqOlxKVGMNCfrprc&q=85&s=780ae301d33f91ef289aa91dcefc0591" alt="History with tags" width="2356" height="1574" data-path="images/other/history-tags.webp" />
</Frame>

### Organizing with Tags

Add tags like `#personal` to categorize chats:

```
# #personal #food
```

Search for conversations matching multiple tags.

### Renaming Conversations

<Steps>
  <Step title="Right-click">
    Right-click any conversation in the list
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Rename">
    Choose `Rename` from the menu
  </Step>

  <Step title="Type new name">
    Give it a descriptive name
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Exporting Conversations

Export as markdown for documentation or sharing:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find conversation">
    Locate it in the history
  </Step>

  <Step title="Right-click">
    Open the context menu
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Export">
    Choose the Export option
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Choose location and save as .md file
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Card title="Export Uses" icon="download">
  * Documentation
  * Sharing with team
  * Archiving important discussions
  * Using in other tools
</Card>

***

## Related Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Core Features" icon="sparkles" href="/getting-started/core-features">
    Workspaces, Actions, and more
  </Card>

  <Card title="Keyboard Shortcuts" icon="keyboard" href="/references/shortcuts">
    Complete shortcut reference
  </Card>
</CardGroup>