Getting Started with Assist & Draft Modes in August

Getting Started with Assist & Draft Modes in August

Overview

August provides two core modes within the Assistant tool. Each mode is optimized for a different type of task, whether you are analyzing documents, extracting information, or drafting longer legal content. This guide explains how Assist Mode and Draft Mode work and when to use each.

What Are Assist Mode and Draft Mode

Assist Mode

Assist Mode is best for:

• Research and analysis
• Summaries and high level explanations
• Extracting key issues or obligations
• Reviewing multiple documents quickly
• Asking follow up questions in an iterative workflow

Use Assist Mode when you need fast, structured results or insight from documents.

Draft Mode

Draft Mode is designed for creating or revising longer content such as:

• Contracts
• Memos
• Client letters
• Briefs
• Long form deliverables

Use Draft Mode when you need a complete draft or redline generated from your instructions.

When to Use Each Mode

How to Use Assist Mode

1. Open the Assistant panel
2. Select Assist Mode
3. Enter your prompt, such as: Summarize the termination and liability cap provisions in these contracts
4. Upload or link documents you want analyzed
5. Select Run or Submit
6. Review the response and ask follow up questions or request a different format such as bullets, tables, or short summaries

Assist Mode works well when you need quick insight across multiple sources.

How to Use Draft Mode

1. Switch to Draft Mode in the Assistant panel
2. Provide a drafting instruction such as: Draft a mutual NDA under New York law
3. Upload any relevant precedents or templates if needed
4. Select Run or Generate
5. Review the output, revise it, or request an update
6. Export or save the final draft to a Matter or open it in Word for final editing

Draft Mode is ideal for producing full drafts or redlines that require structured, longer form writing.

Combined Workflow: Using Both Modes Together

Many users get the most value by combining the two modes:

1. Start in Assist Mode to analyze documents, extract obligations, or build a summary
2. Refine the findings through follow up questions
3. Switch to Draft Mode to turn that analysis into a memo, contract section, or full draft
4. Review, revise, and finalize

This process allows you to move from analysis to drafting without leaving the Assistant.

Tips and Best Practices

• Be clear and specific in prompts
• Provide context by uploading relevant documents, templates, or prior drafts
• Use structured formats such as bullet lists or tables when requesting analysis
• Expect to iterate and refine output
• Combine both modes strategically for complex matters
• Always review AI generated content before using it externally

What to Expect Going Forward

August continues to integrate Assist and Draft functions into a unified workspace so you can move between analysis and drafting in a single flow. Improvements in document processing, editing tools, and output quality will continue over time.