First run and updates

The first time you open DataMind Oda, it walks you through its first-run steps and prepares your first workspace and chat. This page covers that first session, and how updates show while you use Oda; Install and sign in covers getting Oda onto your computer.

The first-run steps

A fresh copy of Oda starts with its interface and walks you through its setup before anything else:

1. A welcome dialog comes first, introducing the current stage of the product. Read it and choose Continue.
2. When no model is set up yet, one more step asks for a model API key. Type the key and choose Save and continue, or choose Configure later to go on without it and add a key later under Settings > Models.
3. Oda is then ready: it has prepared your first workspace, with one empty chat in it, for your first task.

When Oda is signed in to DataMind OS, the sign-in replaces the model step: your company's server supplies the models, so there is no key to add. Sign in to Oda covers the sign-in itself, and Oda in the browser describes these first-run steps in full.

While a first-run step is open, the rest of the app does not respond; answer it with the step's own buttons.

Your first workspace and chat

On the first start, Oda creates a workspace called Default workspace and opens one empty chat in it.

• The workspace is the folder your first chat works in, created inside your Documents folder at DataMind Oda/Default workspace.
• The workspace's title is kept separately from the folder name, so renaming one does not rename the other.
• If Oda cannot create that folder, for example because a folder with the same name is already there, it shows a notice (Unable to create default workspace. Use Choose workspace to select a folder.) and opens the folder chooser so you can pick the folder yourself. Nothing else changes.
• The chat starts with no messages. Describe your task in the message box and send it; Your first task walks through the first run from there.

More folders can join Oda as workspaces at any time, and you can start more chats with New chat. Add, rename or delete a workspace covers the workspace list, and Choosing the workspace folder covers the folder chooser.

Where updates show

Oda updates itself from your company's server. When a new version is offered or downloading, a small Update control sits at the bottom of the sidebar:

• While it downloads, the control shows progress; with the sidebar collapsed it becomes a progress badge such as 58%….
• When the download is ready, it offers Install and Restart.
• If the download fails, the control turns red and shows the reason in a tooltip, for example Could not download the update. Please try again.; Retry update starts the download again.

Update DataMind Oda covers the full update journey, including update checks and failures; About, version and updates shows the same state inside Settings.

Questions, answered

What happens when I open Oda for the first time?

Oda shows its first-run steps: a welcome dialog you confirm with Continue, and, when no model is set up yet, a step for a model API key. It then has your first workspace, Default workspace, with one empty chat ready for your first task. When Oda is signed in to DataMind OS, the sign-in replaces the model step: your company's server supplies the models.

Do I have to add a model key before I start?

Only when no model is set up yet, and you do not have to add one even then: choose Save and continue to add the key at the step, or Configure later to go on without it and add a key later under Settings > Models; Models covers that page. When Oda is signed in to DataMind OS, the sign-in replaces that step and your company's server supplies the models.

The chat Oda opens is empty. What is it for?

It is where your first task goes. Describe what you want done in the message box and send it, and Oda starts working in the workspace folder. Your first task covers the first run end to end, and you can open more chats with New chat whenever you like.

What is the control at the bottom of the sidebar?

It is the update control. It appears when a new version of DataMind Oda is offered or downloading: while it downloads, it shows progress (a badge such as 58%… when the sidebar is collapsed); when the download is ready, choose Install and Restart; if the download fails, it turns red, shows the reason in a tooltip, and offers Retry update. Update DataMind Oda covers checking, installing and failures.

Can I use a folder of my own instead of the default one?

Yes. Add the folder as a workspace with Add workspace in the sidebar and start your chats there; Choosing the workspace folder covers the chooser and Add, rename or delete a workspace covers the list. The Default workspace is an ordinary entry in that list, so you can rename or remove it like any other.