Dashboard overview
The Lovable dashboard is your starting point to create new projects or chats, and to manage your workspace settings and existing work. You can type a description of what you want to build or chat about, or use various menus to access more options.
Anyone using Lovable needs this to start new projects, manage existing ones, and access settings.
Do this, in order
- 1
Go to the Lovable dashboard.
This is your central hub for all activities.
- 2
To start a new project, ensure 'Build' is selected in the mode picker next to the send button, then type your idea into the central prompt input box and click send.
This tells Lovable to generate a new application based on your description.
- 3
To start a new chat, select 'Chat' in the mode picker, then type your message into the central prompt input box and click send.
This allows you to discuss ideas or ask questions without creating a full project.
- 4
To access more options like attaching files, choosing design templates, or connecting databases, click the '+' button next to the prompt input.
This provides additional context or foundational elements for your project or chat.
- 5
To navigate your workspace, projects, or settings, use the sidebar on the left.
The sidebar provides quick access to all your Lovable resources and configurations.
Paste this into your project
Hey Lovable, I want to start a new project. I need a simple to-do list app with a dark mode. Can you build that for me?
Words decoded
- Dashboard
- The main screen you see when you log in, where you start new things and see your existing work.
- Mode picker
- A selection tool that lets you choose if your typed message should start a new project ('Build'), a conversation ('Chat'), or a detailed plan ('Plan').
- Prompt input box
- The text area where you type your instructions or questions for Lovable.
- Sidebar
- The menu on the left side of the screen that helps you navigate to different parts of Lovable, like your projects, chats, or settings.
- Workspace
- A dedicated area where you and your team can collaborate on projects, with its own members and billing.
- Command palette
- A quick search tool that lets you find projects, folders, or settings by typing a command.
Where people get stuck
- Forgetting to select the correct mode ('Build', 'Chat', or 'Plan') before typing your message, leading to an unintended action.
- Not using the '+' menu to add important context like design templates or database connections, which can make your project less complete.
- Missing important notifications or updates by not checking the 'Inbox' or 'What's new' tabs in the user menu.
The short version, steps, decoder and prompt on this page are written automatically from Lovable's own documentation and can lag or misread it. The official page is always the authority.