Every interaction with Vincent begins as a conversation. Whether you select a structured workflow task or describe an outcome in your own words, understanding how to start, guide, and manage a conversation helps you get the most actionable results from your research and analysis.
Note: Vincent distinguishes between two types of prompts. General conversation prompts are highlighted in blue when selected. Research questions that use the Clio Library are highlighted in purple when selected. For guidance on writing effective prompts for both types, see Write Effective Prompts for Vincent.
Understand Agentic Mode
Agentic Mode changes how Vincent processes your requests and is on by default.
- Agentic Mode on (default): Describe the outcome you want and Vincent plans and executes the steps autonomously. For example: Build a defense strategy for this breach of contract matter.
- Agentic Mode off (Classic Mode): Select individual workflow tasks and guide each step manually
Note: Existing structured workflows, such as Vincent Tables, are not affected by the Agentic Mode toggle and function the same regardless of this setting.
Start a new conversation
You can start a conversation from the Vincent home page or directly from a matter or document in Clio Manage. For access points from Clio Manage, see Use Clio Work With Clio Manage.
Tip: If you want to start with a document rather than a question, Vincent can automatically suggest the most relevant actions. See Let Vincent Do the Work for guidance on the document upload path.
- In Clio Work, click Vincent in the left navigation.
- Optional: Select a matter using the Select Matter dropdown to give Vincent access to your case documents and ensure the conversation is logged to the correct file.
- Optional: Select the jurisdiction below the text box to change it from the default.
- Optional: Select the + icon to add documents from Clio Manage, your computer, or a connected document management system.
- Choose how to begin:
- Workflow task: select a task from the Research, Analyze, or More Workflows menus to start a structured conversation.
- Custom prompt: type a question or instruction directly in the text box.
- Agentic Mode: describe the result you want, and Vincent plans and executes the steps autonomously. To toggle Agentic Mode, select the + icon in the text box and use the Agentic Mode toggle.
- Select the arrow to start the conversation.
- Review the tasks Vincent has generated. Select the tasks relevant to your immediate work. Selected tasks are highlighted in blue. You can select multiple tasks and run them together.
- Optional: Select the edit icon on a selected jurisdiction-specific task to modify the research question before submitting.
- Select the arrow to submit your selected tasks.
Guide an active conversation
During an active conversation, you can direct Vincent by adding prompts, accepting suggestions, or providing clarification.
- Add more prompts
Select Add More Tasks to submit multiple prompts at once, or type additional questions in the text box at the bottom of the conversation.
- Accept suggested phrasing
Vincent may suggest a rephrased version of your prompt to improve clarity or research efficiency. Select the suggestion to submit it, or continue with your original prompt.
- Respond to clarification requests
Vincent may ask you to confirm a jurisdiction, select a document, or narrow the scope of your question before providing a final response.
- Redirect mid-conversation
With Agentic Mode on, you can interrupt Vincent's plan at any point to adjust the direction, add context, or refine the outcome.
Understand conversation components
When you open a conversation, the workspace displays several components depending on the type of inquiry.
Prompts and responses
Your prompt and Vincent's answer appear in chronological order. If you submitted more than one question at the same time, Vincent responds to each separately with an introductory title to clarify which answers belong to which prompt.
Files and documents
Files uploaded during the conversation are displayed within the conversation. Select the page icon in the top right to view files previously added or to add more files.
Legal Authorities
When you submit a research question, the Legal Authorities panel appears on the right side of the conversation. This panel lists the verified sources Vincent used to answer your question.
- Select Legal Authorities below Vincent's response if the panel is not immediately visible.
- Review each source. Document title, source summary, and a relevant excerpt are displayed for each entry.
- Optional: Select a document title to open it in Clio Library for full review.
- Optional: Select the copy icon in the top right corner of a listed source to copy its title, summary, and excerpt.
- Use the quick filter tabs to organize results: All, Cases, Stat. & Reg., Rules and Procedures, Administrative Decisions, and Secondary.
- Select Most Relevant to sort results or Modify List to adjust the sources included in the analysis.
Legal Pad
Legal Pad is a built-in document editor in Clio Work. Select Edit in Legal Pad under Vincent's response to open the content in an editable panel alongside your conversation. For full guidance, see Use Legal Pad in Clio Work.
Up Next
- Preserve your research: see Save and Manage Conversation Results to save responses, download documents, and share conversation links with your firm
- Improve response quality: see Improve Vincent's Response Quality for guidance on getting consistent, precise outputs from longer sessions