We analyzed 18 examples of how Retool handles ai input & output across their product, spanning 5 different approaches: entry point, input composition, model selector, input modifier, context indicator.
Assist panel empty state with starter prompt cards and input field in Build mode. A tooltip overlays the input field explaining mode switching.
Assist panel with mode selector dropdown open, showing Build and Ask modes. Input field visible with full placeholder text.
Assist panel after submitting a starter prompt. The user's prompt is shown as a sent message. The input area shows a scanning/loading state with a Stop response button.
Assist panel showing AI response in Ask mode with the follow-up input field at the bottom. The input field has placeholder text with @ reference hint and arrow key hint. No mode selector is visible -- the mode is implied by the prompt label.
Assist panel in Ask mode showing AI response with follow-up input field. The mode selector shows 'Ask' as the active mode.
Assist panel showing a multi-turn conversation. User typed a follow-up message. The input field is at the bottom with the Build mode selector and placeholder text.
Assist panel in Build mode with AI response showing a 'Try now' button to switch modes. The input area shows a 'Searching for resources' loading state with Stop response button.
Assist panel in Build mode showing resource selection prompt from AI. Shows a data source chooser with 'Retool Database' and 'Simulate data with JSON' options. Input field visible with placeholder and Stop & Prompt button.
Assist panel showing Build mode building state after selecting mock data. Shows 'Simulating data with JSON' step completed and a 'Building' status in the input area with Stop response button.
Assist panel showing Step 1 wireframe output and Step 2 planning in progress. Input area shows 'Planning.' loading state with Stop response button. This is primarily output but shows the active input/loading state.
Assist panel showing Step 2 complete with technical spec and Step 3 planning in progress. Input area shows 'Planning' loading state.
Assist panel showing completed build (Step 10) with follow-up input field. The input field has a message count badge showing '1'. The input placeholder and Build mode selector are visible. Also shows 'Version saved to history' and 'Revert to version' controls.
Same as 5016 but with a thread history dropdown open, showing the current thread name and a 'New thread' option with edit/delete icons.
Retool Agents configuration page for 'Competition Scanner' agent. Shows the Agent configuration panel with Instructions text area, trigger type pills (Chat, Email, A2A), and a Configuration Assistant chat panel on the right with an input field. A model selector is visible at the bottom.
Retool Agents Configuration Assistant chat with a user message sent and AI responding. Shows the chat input field at the bottom with placeholder and model selector.
Retool Agents Configuration Assistant chat with multiple turns. A second user message has been sent and the AI is in a 'Thinking' state. Chat input field visible at bottom.
Same completed build view but with a credit usage popover open showing 'Free plan' credit meter. Shows usage bar and Upgrade button.
Retool Agents configuration page with model selector dropdown open. Shows model categories (All, OpenAI, Anthropic, Open Source) and a searchable model list.
