> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Onboarding

> Complete quick model configuration first, then follow the first book path from a spark of inspiration to the first chapter draft

The first time you open the workbench, you only need to do two things: **make a model available**, and then **follow the guide to write the first chapter**. World, characters, volume strategy, and common quality issues will be continuously handled by AI in the main chain; you do not need to learn all features first.

## Full Journey Overview

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
  A([Open workbench]) --> B{Available model?}
  B -- No --> C[Quick model setup]
  C --> D[Test passed]
  B -- Yes --> D
  D --> E[Start first novel]
  E --> F[Idea and direction]
  F --> G[Book preparation]
  G --> H{Choose production mode}
  H -- Easy creation --> I[AI continuous writing]
  H -- Professional creation --> J[Full workbench]
  I --> K([First chapter draft])
  J --> K
```

Not sure where to start? Answer the three questions below to generate your personalized route:

> [!NOTE]
>
> Pages mentioned in the route: [Model Configuration](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/model-configuration.md), [Book Breakdown Workbench](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/features/book-analysis.md), [Trending Genre Radar](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/features/market-radar.md), [Outline Workbench](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/features/outline-workbench.md), [Short Story Creation](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/features/short-story.md), [Auto Director](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/features/auto-director.md).

## Step 1: Quick Model Setup

When no text model is available, both the web and desktop versions will automatically pop up Quick Setup. You can close it to browse the interface, but configuration must be completed before starting any AI creation.

**1. Select provider**

Choose a built-in provider where you already have an account. **DeepSeek Flash** is recommended, balancing Chinese long-form quality and response speed; for local models, choose a local provider, no API Key needed.

When using a relay service or other OpenAI-compatible interface, click **Add third-party provider**. It will be saved separately and will not overwrite the built-in provider configuration.

**2. Connect model**

Fill in the API Key and API address, then select a model from the list, or directly enter the model name. If the interface does not return a model list, fill in manually according to the provider documentation.

**3. Test**

The system will test **normal text** and **structured output** capabilities separately. After passing, this model will be automatically used for core tasks such as planning, body text, proofreading, fixing, replanning, and summarization, without needing to configure routing item by item.

When the test fails, what you entered will be retained, and the page will explain which item did not pass; correct it and retry directly.

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TD
  A[Select provider] --> B{Have an account in built-in providers?}
  B -- Yes --> C[Fill in API Key and API address]
  B -- Want local model --> L[Choose local provider<br/>No API Key needed]
  B -- Relay or OpenAI-compatible interface --> T[Add third-party provider]
  T --> C
  C --> M[Select model from list<br/>Or manually enter model name]
  L --> M
  M --> N{Test normal text}
  N -- Fail --> X[Modify according to prompt<br/>Entered content retained]
  N -- Pass --> S{Test structured output}
  S -- Fail --> Y[Switch to non-reasoning model<br/>Or disable reasoning mode]
  X --> N
  Y --> S
  S -- Pass --> OK([Automatically used for all core tasks])
```

> [!TIP]
>
> Structured output failing is mostly due to using a reasoning (thinking) model. Switch to a non-reasoning model, or disable reasoning mode when the provider supports it. More cases at [Model Configuration](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/model-configuration.md).

## Step 2: Follow the First Book Route

After configuration is complete, click **Start first novel**, or open **Onboarding** from the sidebar. The guide displays five milestones fixed in place; progress comes from real model, director task, and chapter states, no manual checkmarks needed:

| Milestone | Completion Flag |
| - | - |
| 1. Creation environment | At least one text model and core task routing available |
| 2. Idea and direction | Enter a spark of inspiration (or start from trending genre or book breakdown), and select one of two full-book directions given by AI |
| 3. Book preparation | AI prepares story, world, characters, volume strategy, pacing, and chapter execution resources |
| 4. Production mode | Choose Easy Creation or Professional Creation |
| 5. First chapter draft | First chapter completes writing, proofreading, and necessary fixes; can be opened for reading |

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
  M1[1. Creation environment] --> M2[2. Idea and direction] --> M3[3. Book preparation] --> M4[4. Production mode] --> M5[5. First chapter draft]
  M2 -. Pause or fail .-> R[View reason and resume]
  M3 -. Pause or fail .-> R
  M5 -. Pause or fail .-> R
  R -. No need to rebuild book .-> M2
```

The page always highlights **one recommended action**, and explains why this step should be done now. When a task pauses or fails, the recommended action becomes "View reason and resume"; no need to rebuild the book.

## No Inspiration, or Already Have a Reference Book

| Your situation | Where to start |
| - | - |
| Have your own idea | Enter AI Auto Director from the Onboarding guide |
| No clear idea | Open Trending Genre Radar, pick a market signal to start a book |
| Have a work you want to continue | First complete [Book Breakdown](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/features/book-analysis.md), then select "Continue original work" |
| Just want to learn structure and writing style | After completing book breakdown, select "Reference creation of new book" |

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TD
  Q{What do you have now?}
  Q -- An idea --> A[Onboarding]
  Q -- Nothing --> B[Trending Genre Radar<br/>Pick a market signal]
  Q -- A reference work --> C[Book Breakdown]
  C --> C1{How to use it?}
  C1 -- Continue writing it --> C2[Continue original work]
  C1 -- Learn structure and writing style --> C3[Reference creation of new book]
  A --> D([AI Auto Director starts book])
  B --> D
  C2 --> D
  C3 --> D
```

All these paths eventually enter the same Auto Director book-starting flow; world, characters, volume planning, and chapter production do not need to be learned separately.

## Easy Creation or Professional Creation

You only choose after book preparation resources are ready:

* **Easy Creation**: AI continuously writes the entire book; you watch progress and drafts in a read-only chapter bookshelf. Suitable for those who want to see results first.
* **Professional Creation**: Enter the full workbench; you can view and modify planning, characters, and chapter body text. Suitable for those who want to personally control details.

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TD
  P[Book preparation ready] --> Q{What do you prefer?}
  Q -- See results first --> S[Easy Creation<br/>Read-only chapter bookshelf to watch progress]
  Q -- Personally control details --> PRO[Professional Creation<br/>Can modify planning, characters, and body text]
  S --> F([First chapter readable<br/>Homepage switches to project workbench])
  PRO --> F
```

Both modes can complete the guide. After the first chapter is readable, the homepage switches back to the normal project workbench; the Onboarding guide retains completion records and body text entry.

## Can Configure Later

The following capabilities will not block the first chapter; enable them after getting things running:

* [Knowledge Base](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/features/knowledge-base.md): Use when you need reference materials, research content, or long-term settings
* [Style Engine](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/features/style-engine.md): Extract and bind after you have clear writing style samples
* Image model: Configure when you need covers, character art, or illustrations
* [Model Routing](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/model-configuration.md): Adjust when you want different tasks to use different models

## Stuck?

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TD
  A{Where are you stuck?}
  A -- Model test failing --> B[Check API Key for extra spaces<br/>API address and model name]
  B --> B2{Structured output failing?}
  B2 -- Yes --> B3[Switch to non-reasoning model]
  B2 -- No --> B4[View model configuration page]
  A -- Book or chapter stopped --> C[Read pause reason in guide or director console]
  C --> C2[Handle according to prompt and continue]
  A -- Other issues --> D[FAQ / Troubleshooting]
```

* Model test keeps failing: Check whether the API Key has extra spaces, whether the address is the API address rather than the web page address, and whether the model name matches the provider documentation.
* Book starting or chapter writing stopped: Read the pause reason given by the guide or this book's director console, handle according to the prompt, then continue.
* Other issues see [FAQ](https://ai-novel-writing-assistant.mintlify.site/en/faq.md).


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.