> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.getkita.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.getkita.org/set-up-your-lesson/update-the-ai-settings.md).

# Update the AI settings

AI Help is Kita's support for students while they are coding. It is off until a teacher turns it on at the course level, and can be configured by lesson, by group and even by student.

### Decide what to allow

Five kinds of support can be switched on or off independently.

| Setting        | What students get                                                                                                                                       |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Explain**    | A direct, accessible explanation of what a line or section of code does, without having to phrase a question in the AI chat.                            |
| **Debug**      | When a program produces a runtime error, Kita shows the standard Python error output and offers an optional AI debugging button.                        |
| **I/O Tests**  | Tests you define in the lesson editor, matching inputs to expected outputs, which run when a student triggers a test run.                               |
| **Tutor Mode** | Socratic questioning. When a student asks an open-ended question or expresses confusion, the AI responds with structured questions rather than answers. |
| **Hints**      | Graduated help when a student asks for a hint or is identified as stuck, starting with the gentlest nudge and escalating only if they remain stuck.     |

If Hints are on, you also set how far they may escalate.

| Level | Name             | What the student receives                                                                    |
| ----- | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| L1    | Gentle Nudge     | A broad reminder of relevant programming ideas, with no reference to the student's own code. |
| L2    | Conceptual Hint  | A pointer toward a specific concept, or a potential issue in their overall approach.         |
| L3    | Contextual Hint  | A response that refers directly to the student's code and the logic they are implementing.   |
| L4    | Guided Next Step | An explicit instruction about what the next action or change should be.                      |

Capping at **L1 or L2** keeps the reasoning with the student, which suits assessed work. **L3 or L4** is closer to guided practice, which suits a first lesson on a new concept.

### Update the settings

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Click **Courses** in the main navigation, then open the course containing the lesson.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the click the settings **cog** top right of the course.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Turn on the **AI Help** toggle. Nothing below it takes effect until this is on.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Turn off any of the five settings you do not want for this lesson. Each works independently, so a lesson can offer error explanations without offering hints.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
If Hints are on, use the dropdown to set the maximum hint level.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Save**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Check that it worked

Go into the course and give it try. You will see the chatbot along the bottom of the insructions area. You can try **Explain** by highlighting code in the code editor. 

<figure><img src="https://1176288822-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fjzm9nyD2lhxeWS1B64j9%2Fuploads%2FNNx3llm9BhMRlts3ju9n%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=39e724cc-356d-4cf7-981d-fe2cb0985009" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Need help?

If AI Help is on but students still cannot use it, email <hello@getkita.com> with the course, the lesson, and the class group.


---

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