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Vinci Chat

By George Pu
• 11 articles

How do I attach files and images for Vinci to analyze?

You can attach files and images to your Vinci chats on the web and mobile app. Vinci reads them in the moment and gives you analysis, summaries, or answers based on their contents. Attach files and images On web or mobile: 1. Click the attach button (paperclip icon) in the message box. 2. Choose up to 5 files (max 8 MB each). 3. Ask Vinci about them: "Summarize this", "What's the total in this spreadsheet", "Explain this error log". Vinci processes files immediately and never stores them on our servers — they're used for your chat only. Supported file types - Documents: PDF, Word (.docx), plain text - Spreadsheets: CSV, Excel (.xlsx) - Code: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, and other text formats - Images: JPG, PNG, and other image formats - Data: JSON, YAML, and other structured data How Vinci handles images When you attach an image, Vinci uses its vision capability to understand what's in it: - Describe the image — what's shown, text in the image, layout. - Read text — extract text from screenshots, documents, or photos. - Analyze charts and diagrams — interpret visualizations and explain their meaning. - Solve problems with images — debug error screens, read code screenshots, analyze photos. The image itself never reaches the answering model — Vinci creates a visual description from it first, and only that description is passed on for analysis. This keeps both privacy and accuracy high. File size and limits - Max 5 files per message - Max 8 MB per file - If your file is larger, try uploading just the relevant section or splitting it Private chats Files attached in a private chat are handled the same way — processed in the moment and never stored. For details on how files are handled, see Your data & privacy.

Last updated on Jul 28, 2026

How do I get a second opinion from Vinci?

Vinci offers two ways to get a second opinion: Council for big, weighty decisions and Advisor for a quick follow-up perspective. Vinci Council — four perspectives For genuinely open-ended, high-stakes calls — "should I raise a seed round or bootstrap?", "is it worth switching careers?" — Vinci can convene a Council: four independent takes on your question, reconciled into one honest answer. How it works Council kicks in automatically for genuinely tough calls. Or request it manually: In Vinci Chat (web): Type a big decision, and Vinci may ask if you'd like a Council perspective. Accept it to see the separate angles. In Vinci Code (CLI): Type /council followed by your question: /council Should I refactor this monolith or build a new microservice? You'll see: - Four independent perspectives on the question - How they agree or disagree - A synthesized answer that doesn't paper over real disagreement Provide relevant context. Share the constraints, values, and information Vinci should weigh. Include details about your situation, timeline, and what success looks like to you. Read the separate perspectives. Council shows you each take as an independent reasoning path. Notice which perspectives agree and where they diverge. The disagreement is the insight. Review the reconciliation. After presenting separate takes, Vinci explains the trade-offs between them rather than pretending there's a single clear winner. Pay attention to the tensions that remain unresolved. Make your own call. Use the perspectives to inform your decision, but recognize that the final call is yours. Council gives you better reasoning to work from, not the decision itself. Use this for decisions where you want to see the reasoning, not just an answer. Advisor — one quick second take For everyday decisions where you just want a fast second opinion (not four perspectives), use the Advisor tool in Vinci Code: /advisor "Is this error message clear to users?" Advisor gives you a single, quick perspective from the strongest available model tier — useful when you want confirmation without the full Council workflow. When to use each - Council: career moves, major architectural decisions, investment calls, anything genuinely weighty - Advisor: code reviews, copy feedback, quick "does this make sense?" checks - Regular Vinci: everyday questions, research, writing, coding tasks Both are built on Vinci's core honesty — they name disagreement instead of hiding it, and give you the reasoning so you can judge for yourself.

Last updated on Jul 24, 2026

How do I create and edit documents in Vinci Chat?

Foglio is Vinci's editable document feature — create, edit, and share documents and code right in Chat. You can even embed live web pages and watch previews update in real time. What you can create Foglio supports three types of content: - Documents — Markdown files you can edit and refine with Vinci. - Code — Single-file React/TypeScript/TSX files that preview live in the browser. - Web pages — Vanilla HTML pages that render with network-free live preview. How to use Foglio When Vinci generates a document or code in Chat: 1. Review it — Foglio shows the content beside the chat, so you see what Vinci wrote. 2. Edit it — Click into the document to make changes yourself. 3. Iterate — Tell Vinci to refine it — "add a dark mode", "make the button bigger" — and Vinci updates it. 4. See it live — For code and HTML, the preview updates as you type. Version history and downloads Foglio keeps a full version history, so you can: - Revert to earlier versions — undo changes by clicking the version history. - Download your work — save the document or code as a file on your computer. - Share it — generate an owner-revocable public link so others can view your document (editable links stay with you). Live preview - HTML — renders instantly with no network required (purely in your browser). - React/TSX/Next.js — Vinci creates single-file components that preview live as you edit. No build step, no deployment — you see the result immediately. When to use Foglio - Writing — draft articles, stories, or documentation alongside Vinci feedback. - Code prototyping — quick web components, landing pages, or React UIs. - Structured content — resumes, outlines, structured data. - Sharing — publish a document for others to read (and if you want, revoke access later). Privacy and storage Foglio documents and code you create belong to you. Shared Foglio with public links live in Vinci's encrypted Canadian storage until you revoke the link. Unpublished work stays in your chat and is never persisted unless you explicitly publish it. For more details on how your content is stored, see Your data & privacy.

Last updated on Jul 24, 2026

How do I start chatting with Vinci?

How do I start chatting with Vinci? Your first session can be wonderfully simple: open vinci.getsimpledirect.com, find the message box, and bring one real thing you want help with. You can try a few messages before signing up. Begin with something useful Type a request and press Enter. You might ask, “Rewrite this note so it sounds warm and concise,” or “Explain this idea as if I’m new to it.” You’ll see the answer stream into the conversation word by word. Once the answer arrives, stay in the same thread and shape it. Try asking, “Make it shorter,” “Turn that into a checklist,” or “Give me one example.” Vinci keeps the earlier messages in the current conversation in view, so your follow-up can be brief. You can also copy an answer or ask Vinci to regenerate it. Treat that second option as a fresh pass when you want a different approach rather than a small edit. Notice what happens automatically Ask about something current, such as this week’s weather or a recent release. Vinci can reach for live information instead of relying on memory. Web-grounded answers include citations, giving you a trail to inspect. If your request is broad and missing an important detail, you may see one clarifying question before Vinci begins. Answer it in the same thread and the work continues. When you are ready to change subjects, start a new conversation from the sidebar. That clean page helps keep the next answer focused. By the end of day one, you have learned the whole rhythm: ask, watch, refine, and begin fresh when the task changes.

Last updated on Jul 24, 2026

Use memory and skills to personalize Vinci

Use memory and skills to personalize Vinci Vinci learns about you in two ways: memory (facts it knows) and skills (instructions you teach it). Memory: what Vinci remembers Memories are durable facts that Vinci keeps in mind for future chats. You can: - Tell Vinci to remember: in any chat, write "Remember that I prefer short answers" or "Remember my name is Alex." - Let Vinci ask: when Vinci notices something durable, it offers to save it. Tap Undo on the "Remembered: …" note if you would rather it did not. - See what it has learned: open Settings → Personalization → Memory to view the full list. - Edit or delete: tap any memory to change or remove it. Memories are stored on your device by default. If you turn on device sync under Settings → Data controls, your memories sync to your account and become available on your signed-in devices. Skills: reusable instructions Skills are standing instructions you write once and Vinci follows in every conversation. Examples include: - "Always show Python examples in your code snippets." - "Answer in French unless I ask otherwise." - "When I ask for a list, format it as a numbered list with brief descriptions." Create a skill On the web: 1. Open Settings → Personalization → Skills. 2. Click Create skill. 3. Write a clear instruction and save it. On your phone: 1. Tap Settings → Skills. 2. Tap the plus icon. 3. Type your instruction and save it. On desktop: 1. Press Cmd/Ctrl+K and search for "skills," or go to Settings → Skills. 2. Create and save your instruction. You can view, edit, or delete skills under Personalization → Skills. Vinci applies all active skills to every chat automatically. Custom instructions After a few conversations, you will notice the small preferences you repeat: “Keep it short,” “Avoid jargon,” or “Show me an example.” Custom instructions let you say those things once and carry them into every chat. Choose one preference to start On the web, open Account and find custom instructions. Begin with a single instruction that would improve most of your conversations. For example: - “Answer in French.” - “I’m a beginner, so explain technical terms plainly.” - “When code would help, include an example.” - “Lead with a short answer, then add detail.” Save the instruction, return to chat, and try a familiar question. You’ll see Vinci apply that standing guidance without needing a reminder in your message. Add context that stays useful The best custom instructions are durable and specific. Tell Vinci about the audience you usually write for, the level of detail you prefer, or the format you use most often. A useful instruction might be, “When I ask for a project update, give me a three-bullet summary for a non-technical team.” You can change your instructions anytime, so treat this as a first draft. After a day or two, remove anything that feels too broad and sharpen what remains. Custom instructions shape how Vinci responds; they do not replace its core character. Vinci’s consistent voice and principles are applied on every message, with your preferences layered on top. The result should feel less like setting up software and more like teaching a thoughtful collaborator how you like to work. Privacy - Memories are visible only to you and never appear in log files. - Skills are your personal instructions and are never shared with other users. - Both are stored on your device and, if you sync, encrypted on Canadian servers. - Memories are never used to train Vinci.

Last updated on Jul 24, 2026

Where are the settings in Vinci Chat?

All your settings live in one place in Vinci Chat. Here's how to find them. To switch classes without opening Settings, click the model badge at the top right. Its panel lists Vinci Mezzo, Vinci Forte, and Vinci Fortissimo from lightest to deepest, with a Default chip on Forte. Choose a class to switch inline. Mezzo is fast and light for everyday chat; for code and file tasks, Forte works best. Fortissimo is the deepest class, for the hardest work. Accessing Settings 1. Click your avatar (a circle with your initial) in the top right of the page. 2. From the dropdown menu, select Account & settings. You're now in the Settings page with five tabs at the left: General, Usage & billing, Personalization, Data controls, and Developer. What's in each tab General - Update your name and email address - See your email verification status - Download Vinci for mobile (App Store or Google Play) Usage & billing - Check your current plan (Free, Vinci, or Vinci Pro) - View your credit balance and today's usage - See refundable credits if you have any - Manage your subscription or upgrade Personalization - Model class — choose Mezzo, Forte (the default), or Fortissimo for your apps, with a per-app override if you want one app to differ - Memory — view, edit, or delete everything Vinci has remembered about you - Skills — manage reusable instructions Vinci follows automatically - Custom instructions — set standing instructions that apply to every chat ("answer in French," "always show code examples," etc.) Data controls - Sync — turn on to save your chats encrypted in Canada across your devices - Analytics — choose to share anonymous usage stats (never your messages or memories) - Shared Foglios — manage public links you've created for artifacts (code, docs, responses) Developer - Generate and revoke API keys if you're building with Vinci Quick reference - Profile menu (top right) → Account & settings - Model badge (top right of chat) → switch classes inline - Privacy policy and terms — links at the bottom of Settings - Can't sign in? Use the "Reset password" link on the sign-in screen

Last updated on Aug 03, 2026

Why doesn't my chat history appear on my other device?

By default, Vinci keeps your chats only on the device you use — not on our servers. That's why your history from your phone doesn't show up on your laptop. The good news: you can change this in seconds. The default: local only When you first sign up, Vinci defaults to keeping conversations only on your device. This is intentional — it's part of Vinci's Zero Data Retention approach. Your chats stay private and aren't stored on our servers unless you ask. That means chats from your phone stay on your phone, chats from your laptop stay on your laptop, and neither syncs to the other automatically. Turn on device sync To make your conversation history follow you across all your devices: 1. Open Account in the Vinci app (web or mobile). 2. Find the sync or device sync setting and switch it on. 3. That's it — from now on, new conversations sync through our Canadian infrastructure and appear wherever you sign in. Once sync is on: - New chats sync automatically across your devices. - Old chats from before you turned sync on stay on the device where they happened — sync applies going forward only. - Your memories are also saved to your account and available on all your devices. Turn sync off again Change your mind? Just turn it back off in Account. Your local chats stay on each device, and synced conversations stay in your account — they don't disappear. What happens to your data when sync is on When you enable sync, your conversations are stored encrypted in Canada (Montréal) so they're available when you sign in elsewhere. See Your data & privacy for full details. Still not seeing your chats? Make sure you're signed in with the same email on both devices — Vinci only syncs conversations within one account. If you're using different email addresses on different devices, they won't sync.

Last updated on Jul 24, 2026

Draft, gather feedback, and polish documents

Use Vinci's iteration and attachment features to turn rough drafts into polished documents without losing context. This workflow keeps you in the same conversation so Vinci remembers earlier versions and feedback. 1. Start with a rough draft. Describe what you want to write in detail: topic, audience, tone, length, and key points. Ask Vinci to create an initial draft. Keep this all in one conversation. 2. Get Vinci's first pass. Review the draft. Instead of starting over, give specific feedback: "The introduction is too long," "Add more examples to the middle section," "Strengthen the conclusion with a call to action." 3. Iterate in the same conversation. Tell Vinci what to change without repeating earlier context—Vinci remembers the full history. "Make it shorter" or "Swap paragraphs two and three" just works within the same thread. 4. Attach external feedback. If others have marked up your draft (email, PDF comment, Google Doc), attach the file and tell Vinci to incorporate it: "Here's feedback from my editor—integrate their suggestions while keeping the voice consistent." 5. Request specific formats. Ask Vinci to restructure as needed: "Turn this into a slide outline," "Create a one-page summary," "Format as an FAQ." It understands structural requests within the context you've built. 6. Final review before shipping. Once you're satisfied, ask Vinci to catch any remaining typos or tone shifts. Save the final version and double-check facts before publishing. Keeping everything in one conversation ensures Vinci maintains the full context—earlier drafts, your feedback, and the intended direction—throughout the polish phase.

Last updated on Jul 24, 2026

Combine research, files, and memories for stronger writing

Use Vinci to turn source material into polished drafts by combining built-in research, file analysis, and personalized preferences. 1. Define the assignment. Start a new conversation and describe the topic, audience, goal, tone, and required format. Keeping one topic per conversation helps Vinci stay focused. 2. Attach your source files. Use the attach button to add PDFs, documents, images, code, or data—up to five files, max 8 MB each. Ask Vinci to summarize, extract evidence, or identify gaps. Files are processed immediately and not stored on servers. 3. Request current research. Ask questions that need recent information. Vinci searches the web automatically when current facts are needed and may research across multiple pages. Web-based answers include citations. 4. Combine and compare. Ask Vinci to connect attached material with web findings: "Compare these reports with current sources, flag disagreements, and create an outline." Distinguish facts from interpretations from unanswered questions. 5. Draft and refine. Request the desired structure, then iterate: "shorten the introduction" or "turn findings into recommendations." You don't repeat context in the same conversation. 6. Save useful preferences. Tell Vinci to remember durable details like your preferred tone or audience. Review or delete them under Account → Memory. Memories stay on your device unless you enable device sync. Double-check important facts in cited sources before publishing.

Last updated on Jul 24, 2026