# Basic Chat

### Start a new chat

1. Select your favorite AI service & model. Optionally enable AI plugins.
2. (Optional) Choose an AI Assistant for more accurate AI answers
3. Choose a predefined message from the library OR
4. Enter your message (Use `Option + Return` or `Shift + Return` for new line)
5. Alternatively, you can click the "waveform" button (5) for voice chat (requires OpenAI API key)

<figure><img src="/files/JajdHtf39EdLbU4q4gVs" alt=""><figcaption><p>Main Chat UI — Clean but powerful</p></figcaption></figure>

### Add a new AI Service

BoltAI supports multiple AI services: OpenAI, Anthropic, Azure AI Service, OpenRouter, Mistral, Perplexity AI, Google AI, Groq and local LLMs via Ollama or LM Studio.

To add a new AI service, go to Settings > Models. Click the plus button and select the service type.

<figure><img src="/files/qIS5S3xBzhKWkhbDYX0x" alt=""><figcaption><p>Add a new Service / Model to BoltAI</p></figcaption></figure>


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.boltai.com/docs/chat-ui/basic-chat.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.