Every interaction with Vincent AI begins as a conversation. Whether you select a structured workflow card or describe an outcome in your own words, understanding how to start, guide, and manage a conversation ensures 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 leverage Clio Library are highlighted in purple when selected. When Vincent suggests a research question, it references the Library. See Understand Clio Work Case Law Analysis and Citators to interpret the reliability of cited authorities.
Understand Agentic Mode
Agentic Mode changes how Vincent processes your requests. When Agentic Mode is on, Vincent plans and executes multi-step workflows autonomously based on the outcomes you describe, rather than requiring you to select and run individual workflow steps. Agentic Mode is on by default.
When Agentic Mode is on (default), describe the result you want (e.g., Build a defence strategy for this breach of contract matter). Vincent will plan the research, analyse relevant documents, and deliver a structured response.
When Agentic Mode is off, Vincent operates in Classic Mode. You select individual workflow cards and guide each step of the conversation manually.
Existing structured workflows (e.g., Vincent Tables) are not affected by the Agentic Mode toggle and function the same regardless of this setting.
Tip: If you are new to Clio Work, starting with Agentic Mode on allows Vincent to guide the workflow based on your stated goal. If you prefer step-by-step control over each stage of your research, toggle Agentic Mode off to use Classic Mode.
Toggle Agentic Mode
- From the Vincent home page or an active conversation, select the + icon in the text box.
- Use the Agentic Mode toggle to turn the feature on or off.
Start a new conversation
You can start a conversation from the Vincent home page or directly from a matter or document in Clio Manage.
Tip: If you want Vincent to create a standalone document you can review and revise without leaving Clio, start your conversation with prompts like "Write a contract for..." or "Create an email draft explaining..." Vincent will create the document in Legal Pad to the right of your conversation.
From the Vincent home page
- In Clio Work, click Vincent in the left navigation panel.
- 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:
- Describe an outcome (Agentic Mode on by default): Type the result you want in the text box (e.g., "Analyse this complaint and identify all affirmative defences"), and Vincent will plan and execute the steps autonomously.
- Select a workflow card: Choose a card from the Research, Analyse, or More Workflows menus to start a structured conversation focused on a specific task.
- Type a custom prompt: Enter a question or instruction directly in the text box for a general conversation with Vincent.
- Select the blue arrow submit icon to start the conversation.
Guide an active conversation
During an active conversation, you can direct Vincent by adding prompts, accepting suggestions, or providing clarification.
- Add more prompts: When applicable, select Add More Tasks to submit multiple prompts at once, or type additional questions in the persistent 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 disregard it and 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 expected output.
Understand conversation components
When you open a conversation, the workspace displays several components depending on the type of enquiry.
Prompts and responses
Your prompts and Vincent's answers 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 answer belongs to which prompt.
Files and documents
Files uploaded during the conversation are displayed within the conversation itself. 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.
- If the panel is not immediately visible, select Legal Authorities below Vincent's response to open it.
- Review source components: document title, source summary, and a relevant excerpt from the document.
- 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 subtabs to organise results: All, Cases, Stat. and Reg., Rules and Procedures, Administrative Decisions, and Secondary.
Legal Pad
When you prompt Vincent to create a document, it appears in Legal Pad to the right of your conversation. You can edit the document directly or prompt Vincent to make modifications from the conversation text box.
- Vincent retains previous versions of the document. Use the forward and backward arrows at the top of Legal Pad to move between versions.
- To open any response in Legal Pad for review and revision, select the edit icon below the response in your conversation.
- Legal Pad remains part of your conversation. You can close the panel and reopen it from the conversation area without losing work.
Up Next
See Save and Manage Conversation Results to preserve your research, download documents, and share conversation links with your firm.