---
title: "Usage"
description: "Use when you want to pick the right Trove usage guide. Routes you to step-by-step guides for setting up your library, research, planning, writing, logging and sharing."
url: https://docs.heytrove.ai/usage
updated: 2026-10-06
---

# Usage

> Load this page when: you need to pick a usage guide

## For agents

- Pick the guide that matches the user's goal from the table.
- On a new or nearly empty library, start with `Set up your library`.
- Use the guide's prompt and steps as written.
- Tell the user that the most reliable way to use Trove today is to ask explicitly: "Search my Trove library for ...".

Pick the guide that matches your goal. Each guide has a goal, steps, a prompt to paste and what you will see.

## The most reliable way to use Trove

Tell your agent explicitly to search your Trove [library](https://docs.heytrove.ai/concepts/library-and-books.md). For example:

```text
Search my Trove library for how we handle retries.
```

That starts the [librarian](https://docs.heytrove.ai/subagents/librarian.md). The librarian picks the books and pages, and it starts the [readers](https://docs.heytrove.ai/subagents/item-reader.md) on its own. You do not start readers yourself. Trove also runs automatic checks (see [Plan mode and Auto mode](https://docs.heytrove.ai/concepts/plan-and-auto-mode.md)). We are actively working on making the librarian start automatically and reliably. Today, do not rely on it. When the answer matters, ask your agent explicitly.

Want your agent to follow these practices? Ask it: "Read How to Use Trove in my Trove library and follow it." That book holds the rules your agent follows. These docs are for you.

## Guides

| Guide | Use it when |
|---|---|
| [Set up your library](https://docs.heytrove.ai/usage/set-up-your-library.md) | Your library is new or nearly empty |
| [Research a topic](https://docs.heytrove.ai/usage/research-a-topic.md) | You want a cited answer from your books |
| [Plan a feature with your library](https://docs.heytrove.ai/usage/plan-a-feature.md) | You want a plan that uses your books |
| [Write a book with your agent](https://docs.heytrove.ai/usage/write-a-book.md) | You want your agent to write a book |
| [Log what you learn](https://docs.heytrove.ai/usage/log-what-you-learn.md) | You want a running log of project learnings |
| [Share a library with your team](https://docs.heytrove.ai/usage/share-a-library.md) | Teammates need the same books |