---
title: "Tools | Aide | Ilmiya Documentation"
description: "Use Aide's built-in productivity tools alongside your chat — calculator, drawing board, text-to-speech, and voice input."
url: "https://ilmiya.com/docs/aide/tools/"
language: "en"
---

<a id="_top"></a>

# Tools

Aide includes a set of built-in tools that open in the right-side panel alongside your chat. Use them without leaving the conversation — ask the AI a question and use a tool at the same time.

<a id="accessing-tools"></a>

## Accessing Tools

Tools are available from two places:

-   The **tools menu** in the input bar (bottom of the chat)
-   The **quick-action buttons** on the welcome screen (Board, Calculator, Document)

Click any tool to open it in the right panel. The chat remains active on the left.

* * *

<a id="calculator"></a>

## Calculator

A functional calculator for quick arithmetic and more.

**How to open:** Click the **Calculator** button from the welcome screen or tools menu.

**What it does:**

-   Basic arithmetic — addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
-   Clear and reset controls
-   Results update as you type

**Best for:** Maths problems, checking calculations mid-conversation, working through equations while chatting with the AI about a topic.

> **Tip**
>
> Ask the AI to explain a calculation step by step in the chat, then use the calculator to work through it yourself in the panel beside it.

* * *

<a id="drawing-board-notepad"></a>

## Drawing Board (Notepad)

A freehand canvas for sketching, diagrams, and visual notes.

**How to open:** Click the **Board** button from the welcome screen or tools menu.

**What it does:**

-   Freehand drawing with a brush tool
-   Eraser to remove strokes
-   Clear canvas to start fresh
-   ReactSketchCanvas-powered smooth drawing

**Best for:** Sketching diagrams while discussing concepts, drawing mind maps, visualising ideas, or taking rough visual notes.

* * *

<a id="text-to-speech-read-aloud"></a>

## Text-to-Speech (Read Aloud)

Have any AI response read aloud to you using text-to-speech.

**How to use:**

1.  Hover over any AI message in the chat.
2.  Click the **Read Aloud** button.
3.  The response is played as audio.
4.  Click **Stop** to end playback.

**Best for:** Listening to long explanations, revising while doing other things, or when reading fatigue sets in.

> **Note**
>
> Read Aloud requires the **Aide\_Chat\_Speaker** feature to be enabled for your organization. Contact your administrator if the button is not visible.

* * *

<a id="voice-input"></a>

## Voice Input

Dictate your message instead of typing it.

**How to use:**

1.  Click the **microphone icon** in the input bar.
2.  Speak your message.
3.  Your speech is transcribed into the input field.
4.  Review the text and click **Send**.

**Best for:** Hands-free input, longer prompts that would take time to type, or when typing is inconvenient.

> **Tip**
>
> Voice input transcribes what you say into text — it’s different from the [Voice Assistant](https://ilmiya.com/docs/aide/voice/voice-assistant/) which has a full back-and-forth spoken conversation. Use voice input when you just want to dictate a single message.

* * *

<a id="using-tools-alongside-chat"></a>

## Using Tools Alongside Chat

All tools open in the **right panel** while the chat stays active on the left. You can:

-   Ask the AI a question in chat and use the calculator simultaneously
-   Sketch a diagram on the board while the AI explains a concept
-   Have a response read aloud while you sketch notes on the board

Close any tool by clicking the **X** in the panel — the chat area returns to full width.

[Previous  
Documents](https://ilmiya.com/docs/aide/documents/) [Next  
Overview](https://ilmiya.com/docs/portal/)

---

[View this page on Ilmiya](https://ilmiya.com/docs/aide/tools/) · [All pages in Markdown](https://ilmiya.com/markdown-index.md)