> ## 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: QuickHub, Hub, and Panels

> Understand Alter's interface modes — QuickHub (default), the Hub, Edge Bar, and the legacy notch

<Info>
  **QuickHub is the default.** New users get floating QuickHub for fast chat; use the Hub for deep work. See [QuickHub Mode](/getting-started/quickhub-mode) and [Edge Bar](/getting-started/edge-bar).
</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="QuickHub" icon="message-square">
    Default floating panel for quick queries, attach workflows, 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="QuickHub">
    The default lightweight panel (when **QuickHub Mode** is on). Open with **⌘⇧Space**, from the [Edge Bar](/getting-started/edge-bar), or attach beside any app with **⌃⌘←** / **⌃⌘→**. Perfect for:

    * Quick queries
    * Voice commands
    * Fast context additions
    * Side-by-side work with attach mode
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="camera" title="The notch (legacy)">
    When **QuickHub Mode** is off, hover the camera notch for the compact quick menu. Most users should keep QuickHub Mode enabled — see [QuickHub Mode](/getting-started/quickhub-mode).
  </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>

### Split Panel

Split the Hub into two side-by-side conversation panes — each with its own tabs, prompt box, and context strip. Bridge context between panes by dragging context cards, using **Add as Context to Other Pane**, or typing **`@`** to pick the conversation in the other pane.

<Card title="Split Panel guide" icon="columns-2" href="/getting-started/split-panel">
  Open split, move tabs between panes, and bridge context between conversations
</Card>

Default shortcut: **⌘⌥N** (**Split Right**). Close with **⌃⌘↓** or the **×** on the right tab bar.

### Keyboard Shortcuts

| Shortcut | Action |
| - | - |
| `Cmd + B` | Toggle sidebar visibility |
| `Cmd + W` | Close active tab |
| `Cmd + Option + →` | Next tab |
| `Cmd + Option + ←` | Previous tab |
| `Cmd + Option + N` | Split Right (second pane) |
| `Ctrl + Cmd + ←` / `→` | Focus left / right pane (when split) |
| `Ctrl + Cmd + Down` | Close Split |
| `Cmd + Shift + X` | Clear all contexts |
| `Cmd + K` | Open Command Palette |
| `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 + Shift + X` to remove all contexts
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Inspector Panel

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Conversation Details" icon="info">
    Metadata, markdown export, and web share 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.

***

## QuickHub Interface

QuickHub (the default when **QuickHub Mode** is on) 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 QuickHub:

* `←`, `↑`, `→`, `↓` - 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 + Shift + X` | Remove all contexts |
| `Cmd + K` | Open Command Palette |

### 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>

### Search and filter conversations

**Find inside the open chat**

Press **⌘F** in the Hub or QuickHub to search the current conversation. Use **⌘G** and **⇧⌘G** to jump between matches. The find bar stays scoped to the active tab.

**Search all Hub history**

Press **⇧⌘F** (default) or click the sidebar search field to search across saved conversations and meeting transcripts. Results update as you type. Alter indexes history in the background; Doctor shows indexing progress when a rebuild is running.

**Filter the sidebar**

Click the filter icon in the Hub sidebar to narrow the conversation list:

| Filter | What it controls |
| - | - |
| **Conversation type** | **Chats** vs **Transcripts** |
| **Workspaces** | Conversations tied to a workspace, or **No workspace** |
| **Actions** | Conversations started from a specific action, **No action**, or **Other** |
| **Tags** | Custom tags you applied, or **No tag** |

Each group supports **All** / **None** shortcuts inside the filter popover. Filters persist while the Hub is open and help when your history spans many workspaces or actions.

**Jump through long Hub chats**

In the Hub, a **turn index** appears beside longer conversations. Click a turn number to scroll directly to that message exchange without losing your place in a deep thread.

### 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>

### Export Hub conversations and share on the web

Alter offers two ways to get a **Hub conversation** out of the app:

| Method | Result | Best for |
| - | - | - |
| **Save Conversation as Markdown** (**⌘⇧S**) | Local `.md` file on your Mac | Docs, archives, offline review |
| **Share** (sidebar, tab menu, or command palette) | Public read-only link on alterhq.com | Coworkers or collaborators in a browser |

#### Save as Markdown

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the conversation">
    Select it in the Hub sidebar or an open tab
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export">
    Use **Save Conversation as Markdown** from the Hub menu, or press **⌘⇧S** (default)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Choose a location — Alter writes a `.md` file you keep locally
  </Step>
</Steps>

Customize **Save Conversation as Markdown** in **Settings → Shortcuts → Hub**.

#### Share on the web

From the Hub sidebar (right-click), the conversation **tab menu**, or the command palette (**Share Conversation**):

1. Confirm the public-link warning
2. Alter uploads the discussion and copies the URL to your clipboard
3. Use **Copy link**, **Update**, or **Remove** from the **Share** submenu when a link already exists

See [Share conversations on the web](/workflows/share-conversations) for requirements, size limits, privacy, and troubleshooting.

<Card title="Not the same as Share trace" icon="share-nodes">
  **Share trace** lives in the **Tool Inspector** after a task run (Computer Use, Flow, and similar agents). It uploads diagnostics to Alter support — it does **not** publish a public link. For that workflow, see [Share task traces](/workflows/share-task-traces).
</Card>

### Right-to-left conversations

When macOS uses a right-to-left language layout, Hub and QuickHub conversations follow that direction automatically. Message order, the turn index, and context cards respect the active interface direction — no separate Alter setting is required.

***

## Related Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="QuickHub Mode" icon="square.on.square" href="/getting-started/quickhub-mode">
    Default UX, attach/detach, and shortcuts
  </Card>

  <Card title="Edge Bar" icon="sidebar.right" href="/getting-started/edge-bar">
    Screen-edge launcher and Computer Use sessions
  </Card>

  <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>


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