Prompt Tool

The Prompt tool displays text overlays visible to all participants. Use prompts to share instructions, discussion questions, or key information without cluttering the canvas.

What is the Prompt Tool?

Prompts are text-based overlays that:

• Appear prominently on screen
• Are visible to all participants
• Stay visible until dismissed
• Don't take up canvas space

Think of it as: A digital flip chart or instruction card that everyone can see.

When to Use Prompts

Good Use Cases

When NOT to Use Prompts

• Content that needs to persist (use canvas instead)
• Long text (keep prompts brief)
• Information participants need to reference repeatedly
• Anything that would be clearer as verbal instruction

Creating a Prompt

Adding a New Prompt

1. Open the Tools menu or Agenda panel
2. Click Add Tool or +
3. Select Prompt as the tool type
4. Enter your prompt text
5. Optionally set a duration
6. Save the prompt

Prompt Settings

Displaying Prompts

Activating a Prompt

1. Find the prompt in your tools/agenda list
2. Click to activate it
3. Prompt appears for all participants
4. Stays visible until you dismiss it

Prompt Display

When active, participants see:

• Prompt text prominently displayed
• Timer countdown (if set)
• Your prompt remains visible until cleared

Dismissing a Prompt

• Click Clear or Dismiss
• Or activate a different tool
• Or let timer expire (if auto-dismiss enabled)

Prompts with Timers

Combined Prompt + Timer

Prompts work great with timers:

1. Create prompt with activity instructions
2. Set duration (e.g., 5 minutes)
3. Enable auto-start timer
4. When activated, participants see prompt AND countdown

Example:

Prompt: "Add your top 3 ideas to the brainstorm area"
Duration: 5 minutes
Auto-start: On

Result: Participants see the instruction with a 5-minute countdown.

Manual Timer Control

Even with duration set, you can:

• Pause the timer
• Add or remove time
• Let it run to completion
• Dismiss early

Writing Effective Prompts

Keep It Brief

• ✅ "Share one win from this week"
• ❌ "Please think about your week and consider what went well, then share one example of something that you would consider a win or success with the group"

Be Specific

• ✅ "Add 3 sticky notes to the Ideas zone"
• ❌ "Add some ideas"

Include the Action

• ✅ "Move to your team's zone now"
• ✅ "Raise your hand when done"
• ❌ "Team zones are available"

Sample Prompts

Brainstorming:

"Add sticky notes with your ideas. Quantity over quality—aim for 5+. You have 4 minutes."

Reflection:

"What's one thing you'll do differently after today?"

Transition:

"Find your breakout room assignment and move there now."

Check-in:

"Add a sticky note: How are you arriving today? (1 word)"

Prompts in Your Agenda

Pre-Planning Prompts

Build prompts into your agenda:

1. Plan your session flow
2. Create prompts for each activity
3. Order them in your agenda
4. During session, activate in sequence

Quick Session Setup

Typical workshop prompt sequence:

1. Welcome + check-in prompt
2. Activity 1 instructions
3. Activity 2 instructions
4. Reflection prompt
5. Closing prompt

Prompt vs. Canvas Text

Use prompts for temporary instructions. Use canvas text for content that should persist.

Troubleshooting

"Participants can't see the prompt"

1. Verify prompt is activated (not just created)
2. Check participants are in the same board
3. Refresh may be needed in rare cases

"Prompt disappeared unexpectedly"

1. Timer may have expired
2. You or co-facilitator may have dismissed it
3. Activating another tool may clear prompts

"Text is too long to display well"

1. Edit to shorten the prompt
2. Break into multiple prompts
3. Use canvas text for longer content

Related Guides

• Timer Tool - Managing time
• Your First Session - Facilitation basics
• AI Agenda Builder - Planning sessions
• System Check - Verify your setup