Getting started with Nella: your first conversation in five minutes
No setup, no account required. Here is how to ask your first question, choose the right model and make Nella truly yours, in about five minutes.
Nella is an AI assistant that talks with you, writes with you and builds small websites and apps for you. The fastest way to understand it is to use it. This guide walks you through your first five minutes, from the very first message to the settings that make every answer fit you better.
1. Open Nella, no account needed
Go to the app and start typing. You don’t need an account to begin: in guest mode, you use Nella Quick, our fastest model, for a few questions every 30 minutes. Guest conversations stay on the device and in the browser you’re using.
When you want to keep your history on all your devices, create a free account with Google, Apple, GitHub or a one-time code sent to your email. It takes less than a minute and no credit card is required.
2. Ask your first question
Write the way you would to a knowledgeable colleague. There’s no special syntax to learn:
- “Explain the difference between an RRSP and a TFSA, with a simple example.”
- “Rewrite this email so it sounds friendly but firm.” (then paste your draft)
- “Plan three days in Halifax for two people who love food and long walks.”
Nella answers in the language of your message, using headings, lists and tables when they help. If the answer isn’t quite right, just say so: “shorter”, “more formal”, “give me a table instead”. A conversation is a back-and-forth, not a one-shot request.
3. Pick the right model
Before you send a message, you can choose how much Nella should think:
| Model | Best for |
|---|---|
| Nella Quick | Everyday questions, drafts, rewording |
| Nella | Careful writing, analysis, most Creations |
| Nella Expert | Hard problems, long Creations, demanding code |
Quick is available on every plan; Nella and Nella Expert come with Pro and Max. A model that thinks more also uses more of your usage limit, so save Expert for the tasks that deserve it. Our article on plans and usage limits explains the details.
4. Make it yours in Settings
Open Settings and spend two minutes on the Profile tab. It’s the best investment you can make:
- What should Nella call you? A first name or a nickname.
- Your work or field. “Accountant”, “high school teacher”, “product designer”. Answers adapt to your context and your vocabulary.
- Personal preferences. How you like your answers: “get to the point”, “give concrete examples”, “use metric units”. Nella takes them into account in every conversation.
Under Appearance, choose a light, dark or automatic theme, and the font used for answers: Serif, Sans, System or Easy reading.
5. Keep your conversations tidy
Each conversation appears in the sidebar with its own title. You can rename it, add it to your Starred list or delete it. Start a New conversation when you change subjects: Nella gives better answers when a thread stays focused.
Two small tools are worth knowing from day one:
- Edit message: changed your mind? Edit what you sent and Nella answers again from that point.
- Try again: get a fresh answer to the same question.
A thumbs up or down under an answer helps us improve Nella. You can add a short comment when something was off.
6. Know its limits
Nella can make mistakes. For anything that really matters, such as health, money, law or safety, check important information with a reliable source or a professional. A good habit is to ask: “What are you least sure about in this answer?” It often points straight at what deserves a second look. Our guide to researching with reliable sources goes further.
Where to go next
- Learn to write better prompts and get the answer you want on the first try.
- Discover Creations: websites and apps built from a single sentence.
- Read how we handle your privacy and your data.
Welcome aboard. The first question is the hardest part, and it’s already behind you.
