> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://railnology.gitbook.io/railnology-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://railnology.gitbook.io/railnology-docs/raillie-ai-assistant/how-to-ask-raillie.md).

# How to Ask Raillie a Question

### Opening Raillie

Click **Raillie** in the left sidebar to open the AI chat interface.

### Asking a Question

1. Type your question in the input field at the bottom of the Raillie panel.
2. Press **Enter** or click the send button.
3. Raillie retrieves relevant content and generates a response. Responses stream in real time.

### Writing Effective Questions

Raillie performs best with specific, contextual questions. Some guidance:

* **Be specific about the regulation or topic** — "What are the rest requirements for freight engineers under 49 CFR Part 228?" gets a better answer than "What are the rest rules?"
* **Include your context** — "Our railroad operates in FRA jurisdiction with a 12-hour main line service pattern" helps Raillie tailor its answer.
* **Ask follow-up questions** — Raillie maintains conversation context within a session. You can ask follow-up questions without repeating background information.

### Citations

When Raillie cites a source, it displays citation pills below the response showing the document and section it drew from. Click a citation to see more detail about the source.

> **Note:** Raillie's responses are generated by AI and may contain errors. Always verify regulatory citations against official sources.