> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nested-knowledge.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nested-knowledge.com/review-workflow/synthesis/navigate-synthesis-outputs/synthesis-chat.md). # Synthesis Chat Learn how to use Synthesis Chat in a review. Synthesis Chat is an AI assistant built directly into a review. Ask it questions about what was found and it draws **only** on the data in this specific review. It does not search the web or use outside knowledge. Every substantive claim in an answer must include a citation back to a specific study, with the supporting evidence quoted directly beneath the response, and questions are declined outright rather than guessed at when the review's evidence can't support an answer. **For reviewers:** the same tool is also useful while you're still building deliverables — built-in commands can draft methods sections, results summaries, and structured abstracts from your findings. See [**Smart Abstract**](/review-workflow/synthesis/set-up-synthesis-outputs/abstract-editor/smart-abstract.md) and [**Smart Insights**](/review-workflow/synthesis/set-up-synthesis-outputs/smart-insights.md) for the other AI tools this pairs with. {% hint style="success" %} The owner/admin of the nest must first have toggled on Synthesis Chat in Nest Settings in order for it to be viewed and used in Synthesis. {% endhint %} ### Opening Synthesis Chat Currently only users with a Nested Knowledge account and access to the nest's AutoLit may use Synthesis Chat. Navigate to Synthesis --> Chat.

Synthesis settings page showing the Synthesis Chat option enabled. — Enable Synthesis Chat in the review's Synthesis settings.

### Asking A Question Your questions and the answers you receive are private to you — other people with access to the same review have their own separate chat history. You can ask about: * How the review was configured (Screening, Tagging, Critical Appraisal, and the Research Question it set out to answer) * Search results and specific studies, including bibliographic details and full texts * Screening decisions and the criteria behind them * Applied topics/tags and their contents * Critical Appraisal responses * Insights and Smart Insights **Note:** Meta-Analytical Extraction (the numeric data behind [Quantitative Synthesis](/review-workflow/synthesis/navigate-synthesis-outputs/quantitative-synthesis.md)) isn't currently available to Synthesis Chat — ask a question there instead. Two shortcuts sharpen a question: type **@** to reference a specific tag or study by name, or **/** to open the command menu (Write a methods section, Write a results summary, Write a discussion section, Write a structured abstract, Summarize a tag, Start a new chat, Switch thinking tier). #### Choosing A Thinking Tier **Auto** (default, recommended) picks the right depth automatically. For manual control: **Fast** for quick, light-reasoning replies, **Balanced** for a middle ground, **Thorough** for the deepest reasoning on complex questions at the cost of speed. ### Reviewing An Answer Every response includes an audit log of the steps taken to reach it, and citations to specific studies by their **Ref ID**, with supporting evidence quoted directly beneath each citation and a clickable link to the cited study. Citations are required for every substantive claim, not just offered where convenient. Download the full citation set as a RIS file using **Download RIS**. If a question can't be answered from the review's data, Synthesis Chat declines rather than speculating — so nothing you read here is a guess.

Synthesis Chat answer with cited Ref IDs and quoted evidence from supporting studies. — Each substantive claim links to a cited study and its supporting evidence.

### Generating Documents And Spreadsheets Beyond text answers, Synthesis Chat can build downloadable Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, and figures directly from a description of what you want — for example, a citation listing of studies reporting a given outcome. A preview renders in the chat before you download. Citation markers in a generated Word document resolve to full citations, so an exported document keeps the same sourcing as the in-chat answer it came from.

Synthesis Chat displaying a generated table of review data as a preview. — Review a generated table in chat before downloading it.

### FAQs

Do I need to know anything about the software to use this?

No — type your question in plain English the same way you would to any chat assistant. No account or setup is required.

Can Synthesis Chat analyze the meta-analytical numeric data?

Not currently — for that, use [Quantitative Synthesis](/review-workflow/synthesis/navigate-synthesis-outputs/quantitative-synthesis.md) directly.

Will other people see my questions?

No — chat history is private per person, even when several people share access to the same review.

Does every answer include a citation?

Every substantive claim does — Synthesis Chat is designed not to state a finding from the review's data without citing the study behind it, by Ref ID.

I enabled Synthesis Chat in Nest Settings. Why can’t other people see it when I share the nest?

Synthesis Chat is available only to users who have a Nested Knowledge account and access to the nest’s AutoLit. If you share Synthesis with someone who does not have both, they can see your Synthesis outputs, but they cannot use Synthesis Chat. To give a user access to Synthesis Chat, add them as a collaborator on the nest.

### Next Steps


Smart Abstract	Generate a structured abstract from your review.	Smart Abstract
Smart Insights	Generate evidence-linked findings.	Smart Insights
Quantitative Synthesis	Explore meta-analytical data.	Quantitative Synthesis

--- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://docs.nested-knowledge.com/review-workflow/synthesis/navigate-synthesis-outputs/synthesis-chat.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. 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.