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Lesson 15 4 min

Chat mode and Build mode

Aria is AWFlow's built-in assistant. Pick its model, then learn the difference between asking it something and having it build.

Try it in AWFlow

Opens Aria in AWFlow with this request filled in. Nothing is sent until you send it.

Ask Aria (opens in a new tab)

Meet Aria

Click Assistant in the sidebar. The first time, Meet Aria, your private AI asks which model to use:

  • Private, on this device (Recommended): a free model downloads once and runs in your browser; nothing leaves your device. It needs WebGPU; without it, the card says this browser can’t run on-device models.
  • Chrome built-in AI (in Chrome): Gemini Nano, downloaded once by Chrome.
  • Connect a cloud provider: Add key opens AI providers. Larger cloud models build complex workflows more reliably.
The Assistant’s first-visit card, Meet Aria, your private AI: Private, on this device (greyed out here, because the capture browser has no WebGPU), Chrome built-in AI with Set up, Connect a cloud provider with Add key, and Start chatting.The Assistant’s first-visit card, Meet Aria, your private AI: Private, on this device (greyed out here, because the capture browser has no WebGPU), Chrome built-in AI with Set up, Connect a cloud provider with Add key, and Start chatting.
Private, on this device

Click Start chatting. You can switch models any time from the composer’s model picker.

Chat or Build

Under the message box, the Chat | Build switch decides what a message does. In Chat, Aria answers: explain, write, summarise, translate. Nothing is built. In Build, every message changes a workflow: Aria picks the nodes, wires them and fills in their settings.

A new chat with Aria: the greeting, then the composer with the Ask Aria anything box, the Add context (+), Attach files and Dictate buttons, the Chat and Build switch, the context meter, the model picker set to Gemini Nano and the send button, above suggestion cards.A new chat with Aria: the greeting, then the composer with the Ask Aria anything box, the Add context (+), Attach files and Dictate buttons, the Chat and Build switch, the context meter, the model picker set to Gemini Nano and the send button, above suggestion cards.
Chat or Build

Ways to open Aria

Where How
Right-click Ask Aria about selection, Explain simply, Summarize page
Keyboard CtrlShiftK (⌘ShiftK on Mac, AltShiftK in Firefox)
Address bar aw, a space, then your question
Side panel Assistant, with the same Chat or Build switch

You can change the keyboard shortcut on your browser’s extension shortcuts page.

Key takeaways

  1. The first time, choose an on-device model, Chrome built-in AI or a cloud provider.
  2. Chat answers; Build turns each message into a change to a workflow.
  3. Ctrl/⌘ + Shift + K opens quick chat over any page.