Help center/Getting started Works today

I don't know what to use it for

Here are 10 good first jobs for your assistant. Pick one and try it today.

Suggested tools

You can set these up yourself. Get the app, follow the steps, then copy the prompt.

• Notes document scanner (built into iPhone)

  Free

  Your iPhone's Notes app can scan a paper letter into a clear PDF.

  Download for iPhone

  1. Open Notes and start a new note.
  2. Tap the attachment button, then Scan Documents. Hold the phone over the page.
  3. Scan every page, then save. The scan is kept as a PDF.
  4. Share the PDF to your assistant in Messages, or upload it on your files page.

  Copy this prompt and give it to your assistant

  • I got a letter and I want to scan it with the Notes app on my iPhone. Walk me through it one step at a time and wait for me after each step: I open a new note, tap the attachment button, Scan Documents, scan every page, save, then share the PDF to you in Messages. Then tell me in plain words what it says, what I have to do, and by what date.

    Copy

  Your assistant can misread a blurry scan. For anything official, check the dates and amounts on the paper yourself.

• Google Drive document scanner

  Free with a Google account

  On Android, the Google Drive app can scan a paper into a PDF.

  Download for iPhoneDownload for Android

  1. Open Google Drive and tap the camera button at the bottom right.
  2. Take a photo of each page, then tap Done.
  3. Save it as a PDF.
  4. Upload the PDF on your files page, or send your assistant a clear photo of the page.

  Copy this prompt and give it to your assistant

  • I have a paper I want you to read and I want to scan it with Google Drive. Walk me through it one step at a time and wait for me after each step: I open Google Drive, tap the camera button, take a photo of each page, tap Done, save it as a PDF and upload it to my files page. Then tell me in plain words what it says, what I have to do, and by what date.

    Copy

  Your assistant cannot open your Google Drive. You have to send or upload the file yourself.

What to text

• What can you help me with? Ask me about my week first.

  Copy

• Here is everything on my mind today: (type it all). Put it in order and give me my top 3.

  Copy

• Here is a photo of a letter. Tell me in plain words what it says.

  Copy

• A customer wrote this: (paste it). Write a short, friendly reply.

  Copy

• I have chicken, rice and peppers. What can I make for dinner?

  Copy

Steps

1. Think of one small thing that bugged you this week. A message you put off. A paper you did not understand.
2. Find the job below that is closest to it.
3. Copy one example text. Change the details. Send it.
4. If the answer is not right, say what is wrong. For example: "Shorter" or "That is not what I meant."
5. Do that same job again tomorrow. Add a second job next week.

The 10 best first jobs

1. Reply to a customer. Paste their message and get a draft.
2. Understand a bill or letter. Send a photo and get plain words.
3. Plan my day. Type everything on your mind and get a top 3.
4. Break a big task into small steps. Get the first step only.
5. Plan my meals for the week. Start from what is in your kitchen.
6. Keep a to-do list. One text to add, one text to see it.
7. Look something up before I buy. Get a top 3 to check.
8. Track my spending by text. Or track one health number.
9. Answer a review. Get a calm, short reply to post.
10. Talk something through. Think out loud about a choice or a hard day.

Example conversation

Make it stick

• Start with one job. One job you use every week is worth more than ten you try once.
• Give it your own facts: your notes, your photo, your list. It is best at reshaping what you give it. It is weaker at facts it has to come up with.
• If nothing comes to mind today, that is fine. Come back the next time something bugs you.