SecureAI Interface Tour

This guide walks through every major section of the SecureAI interface so you know where things are and what they do. SecureAI runs on OpenWebUI, so the layout may look familiar if you have used other chat-based AI tools — but there are features specific to the automotive aftermarket configuration that are worth knowing about.

Overview

The SecureAI interface has five main areas:

1. Sidebar (left) — conversation history, search, and workspace navigation.
2. Chat area (center) — where you write prompts and read responses.
3. Model selector (top of chat area) — choose which AI model handles your conversation.
4. Workspaces (accessible from sidebar) — shared spaces for teams with their own models and knowledge bases.
5. Settings (bottom left or user menu) — your profile, preferences, and account configuration.

Each section is covered in detail below.

Sidebar

The sidebar is on the left side of the screen. It is always visible on desktop and can be toggled on mobile by tapping the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner.

Conversation List

The sidebar shows all your past conversations, newest first. Each entry shows the conversation title and a preview of the last message.

• Click a conversation to reopen it. The full history loads in the chat area.
• Rename a conversation by clicking the three-dot menu next to it and selecting "Rename." Use descriptive names like "2023 Camry Brake Job" instead of the default auto-generated title.
• Delete a conversation from the same three-dot menu. Deleted conversations cannot be recovered.
• Pin a conversation to keep it at the top of the list. Useful for ongoing jobs or reference threads.

Search

The search bar at the top of the sidebar lets you search across all your conversations by keyword. Type a VIN, part number, or vehicle description to find a previous conversation where you discussed it.

New Chat

The New Chat button (top of the sidebar, or the pencil/compose icon) starts a fresh conversation with no prior context. Use this when:

• You are switching to a different vehicle or repair order.
• The current conversation has become long and the AI responses seem to lose focus.
• You want a clean start for a new lookup or research task.

Folders

If your administrator has enabled folders, you can organize conversations into groups. Drag conversations into folders, or right-click to move them. Common folder structures for aftermarket shops include organizing by customer, by vehicle, or by job type (estimates, parts lookup, diagnostics).

Chat Area

The chat area occupies the center of the screen. This is where you interact with the AI.

Message Input

The text input bar is at the bottom of the chat area. Type your prompt and press Enter (or click the send button) to submit it.

• Shift+Enter adds a new line without sending the message. Use this for multi-line prompts.
• Attachment icon (paperclip) lets you upload files directly into the conversation. Supported formats include PDF, PNG, JPG, and other common image types. See Getting Started with SecureAI for upload examples.

Responses

AI responses appear in the chat area below your message. Each response includes:

• The response text — the AI's answer, which may include formatted tables, bullet lists, code blocks, or part number references.
• Copy button — copies the response text to your clipboard for pasting into your shop management system.
• Regenerate button — asks the AI to generate a new response to the same prompt. Useful if the first response was off-target or incomplete.
• Like/Dislike buttons — rate the response. Your administrator may use this feedback to improve the system.

Conversation Context

The AI remembers everything in the current conversation. You can ask follow-up questions without repeating vehicle details:

First message: "VIN: 1FTFW1E88NFA12345 — what are the front brake pads for this truck?"
Follow-up: "Now give me the rear pads too."
Follow-up: "What is the rotor size for the front?"

The AI uses the VIN from the first message to answer all follow-ups. Start a new conversation when you switch vehicles.

Model Selector

The model selector appears at the top of the chat area, above the conversation. It shows the name of the currently selected AI model.

How Models Work

Your administrator configures which models are available in your workspace. You may see one model or several. Each model may have different capabilities:

• General-purpose models handle most tasks — parts lookup, technical questions, document analysis, and comparisons.
• Specialized models (if configured) may be tuned for specific tasks like VIN decoding, parts cross-referencing, or working with your organization's proprietary catalogs.

Switching Models

Click the model selector to see all available models. Each model shows its name and a short description of what it does. Select a different model to use it for the current conversation.

You can switch models mid-conversation if needed. The new model inherits the full conversation history, so it has the same context as the previous model.

Model with Knowledge Base Access

Some models are configured with access to specific knowledge bases (uploaded catalogs, technical documents, internal reference material). When you select one of these models, the AI can search those documents when answering your questions.

If you are unsure which models have knowledge base access, ask your administrator or try:

What knowledge bases or catalogs do you have access to?

For more detail on choosing between models, see Model Comparison and Selection Guide.

Workspaces

Workspaces are shared environments that your administrator sets up for teams or departments. A workspace groups together specific models, knowledge bases, and settings so everyone on the team has access to the same resources.

Accessing Workspaces

If your organization uses workspaces, you can switch between them from the sidebar. Click the workspace name or icon to see available workspaces and select the one you need.

What a Workspace Controls

Each workspace can have its own:

• Models — the AI models available to workspace members. A parts department workspace might have models tuned for parts lookup, while a service department workspace has models for repair procedures.
• Knowledge bases — document collections the models can search. A workspace for collision repair might include OEM procedure manuals, while a mechanical repair workspace has parts catalogs.
• Default settings — such as the default model, system prompts, or response formatting preferences.

When to Switch Workspaces

Switch workspaces when you need access to different models or knowledge bases. For example:

• Your Parts Counter workspace has models with access to your aftermarket parts catalogs.
• Your Estimating workspace has models configured for collision repair procedures and supplement identification.
• Your General workspace has a broad-purpose model for ad-hoc research.

If you only see one workspace (or no workspace selector), your administrator has configured a single workspace for your organization.

Settings

Access settings from the bottom of the sidebar (your username or avatar) or from the user menu. Settings is where you configure your personal preferences.

Profile

• Display name — how your name appears in shared conversations or team features.
• Password — change your password here (unless your organization uses SSO, in which case password management is handled by your identity provider).
• Language — set your preferred interface language.

Interface Preferences

• Theme — switch between light and dark mode. Dark mode is easier on the eyes during long sessions.
• Chat display density — adjust how much space each message takes. Compact mode fits more conversation on screen.
• Default model — set the model that loads when you start a new conversation, so you do not have to select it every time.
• Send on Enter — toggle whether pressing Enter sends the message or adds a new line. When disabled, use the send button or a keyboard shortcut to submit.

Notifications

If your administrator has enabled notifications, you can configure how and when you receive alerts — for example, when a shared conversation is updated or when a long-running document analysis completes.

About

The About section shows the SecureAI version, the OpenWebUI version it is based on, and links to release notes. Check here if you want to know whether a specific feature is available in your deployment.

Quick Reference: Where to Find Things

Related Topics

• Getting Started with SecureAI — account setup, first conversation, and basic usage.
• Model Comparison and Selection Guide — how to choose between available models.
• Setting up your profile and preferences — detailed profile configuration.