Desk app
Customising Desk
Set global and per-folder instructions, manage workspace permissions, and control how the agent behaves
The Customize view in Desk lets you shape the agent's default behaviour without repeating instructions in every task.
Global instructions#
Global instructions apply to every task the agent runs, regardless of which folder or matter it is working in. Use this for standing preferences:
- Preferred output format ("Always produce a summary memo at the end of each task")
- Naming conventions ("Use ISO date format in all file names: YYYY-MM-DD")
- Exclusions ("Never move files that start with an underscore")
Write instructions in plain language. The agent reads them before planning each task.
Per-folder instructions#
Per-folder instructions apply only when the agent is working inside a specific folder. Add them by selecting a folder in the workspace list and opening its settings.
Use per-folder instructions when different areas of your drive have different conventions:
- A
Clients/folder might require: "Always preserve the original folder structure for client files" - A
Drafts/folder might require: "Do not rename files — only add new ones"
Per-folder instructions override global instructions when they conflict.
Workspace permissions#
The workspace list in Desk shows every folder you have added and its current permission level. You can change the permission level for any folder at any time without removing it.
| Permission | Agent can |
|---|---|
| Read-only | Open and read files. No changes. |
| No delete | Read and write files. Cannot delete or move to trash. |
| Full access | Read, write, delete, and move files. |
Set high-value folders — client work, signed contracts, evidence — to Read-only unless you need the agent to produce output inside them. This prevents accidental modification while still allowing the agent to read context from those files.
Artifacts#
The Artifacts view shows live outputs the agent has produced across all your tasks:
- Dashboards — structured summaries of a matter or folder
- Trackers — spreadsheet-style tables extracted from documents
- Chronologies — event timelines built from contracts, correspondence, or pleadings
Artifacts update as the agent continues to work. You can open any artifact directly from this view and copy or export its content.