> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cohesive.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How Cohesive fits together

> Understand organizations, Workspaces, Canvases, private chats, and files.

A Workspace holds related Canvases and files. Chats let you direct the agent, and each conversation remains private to the person who started it.

## Places and content

| Concept | What it holds |
| - | - |
| **Organization** | Membership, groups, administration, billing, and shared connections. You work in one organization at a time. |
| **Workspace** | Canvases and files for a project or team, organized in a single folder tree. **My Workspace** is your personal starting place. |
| **Canvas** | A spatial working surface of files, notes, shapes, connected records, and generated results. |
| **Folder** | A location in a Workspace tree that can contain files, Canvases, and nested folders. |
| **Chat or session** | One private conversation with the agent, either on a Canvas or in a Workspace. |
| **File** | An upload or generated artifact with a home in a Workspace, Canvas, or chat. A live reference lets the same file appear elsewhere. |
| **Section** | A group of Canvas cards that you can move, collapse, or select together. |

Notes, shapes, and lines are Canvas objects; they aren't all separate files. [Documents and HTML blocks](/product/files/documents) are backed by files.

## What directs the work

* **[The agent](/product/agent/overview).** Reads context, creates outputs, and acts through the capabilities available in the conversation. [Choose an agent](/product/agent/choosing-an-agent) before the first message.
* **[Skills](/product/skills/overview).** Reusable instructions for a format, process, or area of knowledge. Auto Skills are available for the agent to choose; Manual Skills require explicit selection.
* **[Connectors](/product/connectors/overview).** Access to supported actions in another app through a personal or organization connection.
* **[Automations](/product/automations/overview).** Saved instructions that run on a schedule in a chosen Workspace or Canvas.

## One file, multiple placements

A file begins where you upload or create it. **Add to workspace** moves a Canvas or chat file into its Workspace while leaving a live reference behind. When adding a Workspace file to another Canvas, choose a live reference or an independent copy.

Changes to the original appear through its live references. Copies have their own contents and history. See [Files in Cohesive](/product/files/overview).

## Access follows the work

Sharing a Workspace gives access to its Canvases and Workspace files, including future additions. A Canvas can also be shared directly. Files can be shared individually without opening the surrounding Workspace.

Chats remain private. A section organizes content but doesn't restrict who can see it. See [Sharing Workspaces](/product/collaboration/sharing-workspaces).

Public Canvas links and published files are snapshots. Edits reach readers when you publish an update; they aren't live collaboration.

## Archive and restore

Workspaces, Canvases, chats, Skills, and files support archiving. Archived files have a 14-day restore window. Plain Canvas objects are deleted, and removing a live reference leaves its original file in place. See [Archive and restore](/product/workspace/archive).