Lesson 4.1: Vector threads and their scope #

Vector is the controlled way to command changes with the assistant: a workspace of threads where the editor first decides what a thread may touch, then how it works. This lesson sets up a thread on the learner's own folder.

At a glance #

Learning objectives #

After this lesson, learners can:

• open EI: Vector and start a thread with + New thread (or the key N);
• set the scope with Change: nodes, subtrees, classes and languages;
• choose the mode (Plan or Write), the review (Staged or Direct), the model and the lane;
• explain why bulk work always starts with a plan and is always staged;
• find threads with Filter threads and on the Active, Settled and Archived shelves.

Trainer's notes #

How to present it #

Source: the Vector page under EI: Help (extension/expai/doc/vector.md).

1. The page (3 minutes). Dashboard tab > EI: Vector (with expai/write and expai/vector). On an empty page, Start a thread: Choose what it may touch (nodes, subtrees, classes, languages), then say what to do. Bulk work starts with a plan. Three panes: threads on the left, the thread in the middle, Plan, changes and cost on the right (a drawer on narrower screens). Search threads, commands, nodes... (Ctrl+K) is the command palette.

2. Scope (4 minutes). Change (Alt+S) opens the scope dialog: search nodes by name or number (only what you may read), make a node a subtree, tick classes and languages. The role's limitations apply (lesson 1.3).

3. Mode and review (4 minutes):

   	Plan	Write
   Staged	reads and proposes a plan; writes nothing	proposes changes that you accept or reject per field and part, then writes drafts
   Direct	(as plan)	writes drafts at once (never published); one item in one language only, where the role allows

   Bulk work (more than one item or language, or any subtree or class in the scope) starts in Plan and is always Staged.

4. Model and lane (2 minutes). Only models you may use, grouped by provider; "reads only" for models that may not write. The lane matters for background runs (lesson 7.2).

5. Shelves (2 minutes). The thread list has sections such as Working, Needs you, Pinned and Recent, and the shelves Active, Settled, Archived. Threads are private to their owner.

Common questions #

What is the difference between Vector and the Intelligence tab? The tab is a conversation on one item with direct drafts for small edits; Vector sets a scope, plans bulk work, stages changes for review and shows the cost.

Can I see a colleague's thread? No; threads are private. Approvers of a version a thread wrote may read it.

Why can I not choose Direct? Your role allows only staged review, or the scope is bulk work.

Pitfalls #

• Scopes that are too wide. A whole site as subtree invites a huge plan. Start with one folder.
• Forgetting the language. A translation thread needs the target language in the scope.
• Narrow screens. The right pane becomes a drawer below about 1040 pixels; maximize the window.

Hands-on exercise #

Use the training installation, a role with expai/vector, and your course folder.

1. Open EI: Vector in the Dashboard tab's left column. Read the Start a thread text.
2. Press + New thread.
3. Press Change to set the scope. Search for your course folder and add it as a subtree. Tick the class Article and your site's main language.
4. Set the mode to Plan and the review to Staged.
5. Keep the default model; read the list of models and note which say "reads only".
6. Give the thread a title such as Course folder tidy-up (if the title is editable) and leave it without a message.
7. Open the command palette with Ctrl+K (Cmd+K on a Mac), type thread and close it with Esc.
8. Use Filter threads to find your thread, and look at the Settled and Archived shelves.

Expected result #

• Each learner has a thread whose scope is their course folder (subtree), Article and one language, in Plan mode with Staged review.
• No request was sent yet.
• The trainer checks by opening one learner's thread header on the projector.

Quiz #

1. Which four kinds of entries can a scope have?
2. What makes work "bulk work"?
3. In which mode and review does bulk work always start? A. Write, Direct B. Plan, Staged C. Write, Staged D. Plan, Direct
4. Who can see your threads?
5. What does "reads only" next to a model mean?

Further reading #

• The Vector, threads and permissions pages under EI: Help (extension/expai/doc/vector.md, extension/expai/doc/threads.md, extension/expai/doc/permissions.md).

Related pages #

• Module 4: Vector
• Exponential Intelligence: course overview
• Trainers: start here
• Free documentation: this page is free to copy, translate and improve under the GNU FDL 1.3.