---
title: Build your first course assistant
description: A complete walkthrough — sign in, create an assistant, add materials, test it, and share it with students.
sidebar:
  label: Your first assistant
  icon: rocket
---

In this tutorial you'll build a working course assistant from scratch and share it with your students. We'll use an intro biology course as the example, but the steps are the same for any subject.

:::note[Before you start]
You'll need an approved instructor account. If you don't have one yet, see [Getting started](/instructors) for how to sign up and get approved.
:::

## Step 1 — Sign in

Go to [teachanything.ai](https://teachanything.ai) and [log in](https://teachanything.ai/login). You'll land on your [dashboard](https://teachanything.ai/dashboard), which is home base for everything you build.

## Step 2 — Create the assistant

1. **Start a new chatbot**

    Click **New chatbot** on your dashboard.

2. **Name it**

    Give it a name students will recognize, like **"BIO 101 Study Helper."**

3. **Write its instructions**

    This is the most important field. Tell it how to behave, in plain English:

    > You are a friendly teaching assistant for an introductory biology course.
    > Answer using only the uploaded course materials. Explain concepts simply,
    > use examples, and encourage students to reason through problems rather
    > than just handing over answers. If something isn't in the materials, say
    > so and suggest the student ask the instructor.

4. **Save**

    Click **Create**. Your assistant now exists — but it hasn't learned
    anything yet.

For a full breakdown of every setting, see [Create a chatbot](/instructors/create-a-chatbot).

## Step 3 — Add your materials

Now teach it. Open the assistant and upload a few documents — your syllabus, a lecture slide deck, and a reading or two.

1. **Upload files**

    In the materials area, click **Upload** and select your files. PDFs, Word
    (`.docx`), PowerPoint (`.pptx`), and text/Markdown all work.

2. **Wait for processing**

    Each file is read and indexed in the background. Give large files a moment;
    a file is ready once its status says so.

Prefer to point it at a course website instead of uploading? See [Add website content](/instructors/add-website-content).

## Step 4 — Test it

Before students see it, ask it a few questions yourself.

1. **Ask something from your materials**

    Try a real question, e.g. "What are the stages of mitosis?" The answer
    should reflect your uploaded content.

2. **Turn on sources and check them**

    Enable **Show sources** in settings so answers cite which file they came
    from, then confirm the citations point to the right material.

3. **Adjust if needed**

    Answers too long, too short, or off-tone? Tweak the [instructions,
    creativity, or answer length](/instructors/customize). Changes take effect
    right away.

## Step 5 — Share it with students

1. **Turn on sharing**

    In the assistant's settings, make sure sharing is enabled.

2. **Copy the link and send it**

    Share the link on your course page, in an email, or through your LMS.
    Students just click — no account needed.

Want it embedded directly in your course site instead of a link? Follow [Add your assistant to your course website](/tutorials/embed-on-your-site).

## You're done

You've built and shared a course assistant. From here:

**[See what students ask](/instructors/review-conversations)**

Review conversations to spot common confusion and gaps in your materials.

**[Embed it on your site](/tutorials/embed-on-your-site)**

Add a chat button to your course website or LMS.