Experiments with new UI patterns

We have been experimenting with the way in which users interact with their email inbox, how they effectively use AI and automations to get their work done faster.

One approach is to add a chat input bar to the email inbox. This is a flexible input device that can help a user search through pre-built tools (like “Send a Slack message” or “Update a field in Attio”), while also allowing for free-form text input which our highly capable AI agent can interpret and take action on.

This allows us to combine some of the functionality of a command palette, with the flexibility of an AI agent chat. Our pre-built tools come with their own UI to help users make decisions and check that they’re taking the right actions. We want to be able to preview a draft email or slack message before its sent, and doublecheck the fields that are being added to the CRM.

What do you think? Drop me an email at thomas@housecat.com with your thoughts!