---
title: Writing Assistant
description: Rewrite selected text in place and review the result before keeping it.
---

The Writing Assistant is an inline rewriting tool for the note you are editing. Select a passage, describe how it should change, and review the result in the document before accepting it.

> The Writing Assistant is only available to users on the Pro License.

Before using it, make sure at least one AI provider or local model is configured. See [Configuring AI](/working-with-ai/setting-things-up) for setup.

## Open The Writing Assistant

Select text in an editable note, then use any of these methods:

- Click **Writing Assistant** in the Bubble Menu.
- Press `Cmd/Ctrl + J`.
- Run **Writing Assistant** from the Command Bar.

The Writing Assistant requires a selection. If nothing is selected, Octarine asks you to select text first.

## Request A Rewrite

Type a direct instruction in the inline prompt, such as:

- "Make this shorter without changing the meaning."
- "Turn these notes into a clear paragraph."
- "Fix the grammar and keep my tone."
- "Rewrite this as a checklist."

Use the model menu in the prompt's footer to choose which model handles the rewrite. It uses the same model picker as Ask Octarine.

Press `Cmd/Ctrl + Enter` to send the request. You can stop generation while it is running or press `Esc` to close the prompt.

Type `/` to search your custom slash commands. Choosing a command runs its saved prompt against the current selection. Create and manage these commands in **Settings → AI → Slash Commands**; Octarine stores them in `.octarine/ai/slash_commands.json` inside the workspace.

## Review The Result

The rewritten text appears in place with its changes highlighted. Use the controls below it to:

- **Highlight changes** — toggle the inline difference view.
- **Undo** — restore the selected text as it was before the rewrite.
- **Accept** — keep the rewritten text and clear the review controls.

The original selection is not silently discarded: the rewrite remains reviewable until you accept or undo it.

For workspace-wide questions, multi-note context, web search, or changes that create and move files, use [Ask Octarine](/working-with-ai/ask-octarine).

#### Quick Answers

### What can the Writing Assistant do?

It rewrites selected text inside the current note and lets you review, accept, or undo the result.

### How do I open the Writing Assistant?

Select text, then click **Writing Assistant** in the Bubble Menu, press `Cmd/Ctrl + J`, or run it from the Command Bar.

### Can the Writing Assistant use slash commands?

Yes. Type `/` in its prompt to run a saved slash command against the current selection.

### Can I choose which model the Writing Assistant uses?

Yes. Pick a model from the menu in the footer of the inline prompt before sending.