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

# Creating Documents

> Complete guide to creating professional documents with VibeDoc

## Overview

This guide walks you through the complete process of creating a professional document in VibeDoc, from initial idea to final export.

## Step-by-Step Tutorial

### 1. Start a New Document

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to /new">
    Go to [vibedoc-ai.com/new](https://vibedoc-ai.com/new) after signing in
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Credits">
    Verify you have sufficient credits in the header badge
  </Step>

  <Step title="Describe Your Document">
    Type a clear, detailed description in the prompt input
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 2. Craft Your Prompt

The quality of your AI-generated document depends on your prompt:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Basic Prompt">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Create a service agreement for web development
    ```

    **Result:** Generic agreement with standard sections
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Better Prompt">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Create a service agreement for a web development project
    including scope of work, payment terms, timeline,
    deliverables, and signature blocks
    ```

    **Result:** Structured agreement with specified sections
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Best Prompt">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Create a professional service agreement for a 6-month
    web development project with:
    - Executive summary
    - Detailed scope of work
    - 3-phase timeline with milestones
    - Payment terms (30/40/30 split)
    - IP rights and confidentiality clauses
    - Termination conditions
    - Signature blocks for both parties

    Tone: Formal and professional
    Length: Comprehensive (2000-3000 words)
    ```

    **Result:** Detailed, professional agreement exactly matching requirements
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  Include: document type, required sections, tone, length, and any special requirements.
</Tip>

### 3. Review AI Generation

Watch as VibeDoc generates your document:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Real-Time Generation" icon="bolt">
    Content streams in real-time - you see blocks appear as they're created
  </Card>

  <Card title="Structured Output" icon="layer-group">
    AI creates appropriate blocks (headings, text, tables, etc.)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Professional Formatting" icon="wand-magic-sparkles">
    Automatic styling with proper hierarchy and spacing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Editable" icon="pencil">
    Every block is immediately editable if adjustments needed
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### 4. Refine with Chat

Continue the conversation to improve the document:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Request Additions">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Add a section about support and maintenance
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Modify Content">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Make the payment terms section more detailed
    with specific milestone descriptions
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Change Tone">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Rewrite the introduction in a more friendly,
    conversational tone
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust Format">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Convert the feature list into a table with
    columns for Feature, Description, and Priority
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 5. Manual Editing

Click any block to edit directly:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Text Editing">
    * Click block to enter edit mode
    * Type, delete, or paste content
    * Use `Cmd/Ctrl + B` for bold
    * Use `Cmd/Ctrl + I` for italic
    * Click outside or press `Esc` to save
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Adding Blocks">
    * Click **+ Add Block** button
    * Select block type (heading, text, list, etc.)
    * Populate with content
    * Reorder by dragging
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Deleting Blocks">
    * Hover over block
    * Click delete icon in toolbar
    * Or select and press `Delete` key
    * Confirm deletion
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### 6. Apply Template

Customize the document's appearance:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Templates">
    Click **Templates** in the toolbar
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Preset">
    Select from built-in templates or create custom
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize">
    Adjust colors, fonts, spacing, headers/footers
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview">
    See changes in real-time
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Save as new template for future use
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 7. Review & Preview

Switch between modes:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Edit Mode" icon="pencil">
    See all blocks with editing controls and toolbars
  </Card>

  <Card title="Preview Mode" icon="eye">
    See final output as recipients will view it
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

**Preview Checklist:**

* [ ] All sections present and correct
* [ ] No typos or grammar errors
* [ ] Consistent formatting
* [ ] Proper heading hierarchy
* [ ] Tables displaying correctly
* [ ] Signatures in place
* [ ] Page breaks look good

### 8. Set Orientation

Choose document orientation:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Portrait">
    **When to use:**

    * Standard business documents
    * Letters and contracts
    * Reports and articles
    * Most use cases

    **Dimensions:** 210mm × 297mm (A4 vertical)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Landscape">
    **When to use:**

    * Wide tables or charts
    * Presentations
    * Certificates
    * Timelines and roadmaps

    **Dimensions:** 297mm × 210mm (A4 horizontal)
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### 9. Export or Share

Choose how to distribute your document:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Download PDF" icon="file-pdf">
    Generate professional PDF for sending via email or printing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Share Link" icon="share-nodes">
    Create web link for easy viewing (no download required)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Print" icon="print">
    Print directly from browser for immediate hard copies
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Alternative: Duplicate Existing Document

<Info>
  **Quick Start Method**: Already have a document you like? Duplicate it to save time!
</Info>

Instead of starting from scratch, you can duplicate any existing document as a starting point:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Source Document">
    Navigate to the document you want to duplicate
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Duplicate Button">
    Find the "Duplicate" button in the document header (next to Export)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Copy">
    Document duplicates with loading indicator (preserves all blocks, settings, and template)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Auto-Navigate">
    Automatically redirected to the new duplicate document
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize">
    Edit content, update title, and modify as needed
  </Step>
</Steps>

### When to Use Duplication

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Recurring Documents" icon="repeat">
    Monthly reports, weekly summaries, or regular contracts with similar structure
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Template Variations" icon="clone">
    Create variants of a master document for different clients or use cases
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Version Control" icon="code-branch">
    Save snapshots of document at different stages (Draft v1, v2, Final)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Experimentation" icon="flask">
    Test major changes on a copy without affecting the original
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  **Pro Tip**: Duplicate your best documents to build a personal template library. Name them clearly (e.g., "Template: Service Agreement") for easy reuse.
</Tip>

## Example Workflows

### Business Proposal Workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initial Prompt">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Create a business proposal for a mobile app development
    project including executive summary, scope, timeline,
    team structure, budget, and terms
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="AI Generates">
    Document with 8-10 sections, tables for timeline/budget
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Specifics">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Add our company details:
    - Company: TechCorp Inc.
    - Contact: Sarah Johnson, PM
    - Phone: (555) 123-4567
    - Email: sjohnson@techcorp.com
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize Numbers">
    Edit timeline table with real dates, adjust budget figures
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply Branding">
    Use company template with brand colors and logo
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export & Share">
    Download PDF, share link with client
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Legal Contract Workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Specify Document Type">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Create a comprehensive service agreement for software
    consulting including:
    - Scope of services
    - Payment terms and schedule
    - Intellectual property rights
    - Confidentiality obligations
    - Liability limitations
    - Termination conditions
    - Governing law and dispute resolution
    - Signature blocks for both parties
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Legal Language">
    Ensure all clauses are appropriate and complete
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Party Details">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Update with specific party information:
    Provider: Acme Consulting LLC, Delaware
    Client: Widget Industries, Inc., California
    Effective Date: February 1, 2025
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize Terms">
    Edit payment amounts, timeline, and specific obligations
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Signatures">
    Verify signature blocks have correct names and titles
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export">
    Generate PDF for signing (integrate with DocuSign if needed)
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  AI-generated contracts should be reviewed by legal counsel before signing. VibeDoc does not provide legal advice.
</Warning>

### Report Workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Outline Sections">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Create a quarterly business report with:
    - Executive summary
    - Key metrics and KPIs (table format)
    - Financial performance analysis
    - Operational highlights
    - Challenges and risks
    - Q4 outlook and goals
    - Appendix with detailed data
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Populate with Data">
    Add your actual numbers to tables and charts
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Commentary">
    ```plaintext theme={null}
    Expand the financial performance section with
    analysis of why revenue increased 23% and what
    drove the growth
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Insert Visuals">
    Add charts, graphs, or data visualizations (coming soon)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Format for Print">
    Apply professional template, use landscape for wide tables
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export & Distribute">
    Generate PDF for board members, share link for team
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Best Practices

### Before Starting

<Check>
  **Prepare:**

  * Know your document purpose and audience
  * Gather any data, numbers, or specific content needed
  * Check you have sufficient credits
  * Decide on final format (PDF, share, print)
</Check>

### During Creation

<Tip>
  **Tips:**

  * Start with a detailed prompt - saves time later
  * Use chat iteratively - small changes are easier
  * Preview frequently to catch issues early
  * Save draft periodically (auto-save is on, but check)
  * Test different voices if using audio
</Tip>

### After Generation

<Check>
  **Quality Control:**

  * Read entire document carefully
  * Check all numbers and dates
  * Verify names and contact info
  * Test links (if any)
  * Export sample PDF to check formatting
  * Get colleague review if important
</Check>

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

<Warning>
  **Don't:**

  * Rush the initial prompt - quality in = quality out
  * Generate without sufficient credits
  * Forget to preview before exporting
  * Skip proofreading AI-generated content
  * Use defaults for professional client-facing docs
  * Assume AI is perfect - always review
</Warning>

## Time Estimates

| Document Type     | Setup  | Generation | Editing | Total     |
| ----------------- | ------ | ---------- | ------- | --------- |
| Simple Email      | 1 min  | 30 sec     | 2 min   | 3-4 min   |
| Meeting Agenda    | 2 min  | 1 min      | 3 min   | 6-7 min   |
| Business Proposal | 5 min  | 2 min      | 15 min  | 20-25 min |
| Legal Contract    | 10 min | 3 min      | 20 min  | 30-35 min |
| Quarterly Report  | 15 min | 5 min      | 30 min  | 45-50 min |

<Note>
  Times are estimates. Actual time depends on document complexity, familiarity with platform, and required customization.
</Note>

## Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow with shortcuts:

| Action       | Shortcut               |
| ------------ | ---------------------- |
| New Document | `Cmd/Ctrl + N`         |
| Save         | `Cmd/Ctrl + S`         |
| Preview Mode | `Cmd/Ctrl + P`         |
| Bold         | `Cmd/Ctrl + B`         |
| Italic       | `Cmd/Ctrl + I`         |
| Undo         | `Cmd/Ctrl + Z`         |
| Redo         | `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z` |
| Find         | `Cmd/Ctrl + F`         |
| Export Menu  | `Cmd/Ctrl + E`         |

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="circle-question" title="AI isn't generating what I want">
    **Solution:** Be more specific in your prompt. Include:

    * Document type
    * Required sections
    * Desired length
    * Tone and style
    * Any special requirements

    Use the iterative chat to refine rather than regenerating entirely.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="circle-question" title="Credits depleted too fast">
    **Cause:** Complex prompts and long outputs consume more credits.

    **Solution:**

    * Use simpler initial prompts
    * Refine iteratively with targeted edits
    * Monitor credit usage in header
    * Upgrade to Pro for monthly credits
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="circle-question" title="Document isn't saving">
    **Cause:** Network issue or browser problem.

    **Solution:**

    * Check internet connection
    * Try manual save (`Cmd/Ctrl + S`)
    * Copy content to clipboard as backup
    * Refresh page and re-enter content if needed
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="circle-question" title="Formatting looks wrong in PDF">
    **Cause:** Template settings or block styling issues.

    **Solution:**

    * Preview before exporting
    * Check template configuration
    * Verify page orientation
    * Test with different template
    * Report persistent issues to support
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Block Editor Guide" icon="cube" href="/guides/using-blocks">
    Master all block types
  </Card>

  <Card title="Templates" icon="palette" href="/features/templates">
    Customize document styling
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export Options" icon="file-export" href="/features/export">
    Learn export methods
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sharing" icon="share-nodes" href="/features/sharing">
    Share your documents
  </Card>
</CardGroup>