Using the AI tutor

_In the app: `/tutor`_

The AI tutor is a subject-aware teaching assistant that knows your child's current schoolwork and respects your family's worldview. It speaks directly to your student, learns from your curriculum and reading choices, and every conversation stays in your account where you can read it anytime — no black box.

How to

Set your family's worldview for the tutor

Go to Settings (the gear icon in the main menu).
Look for the Worldview option on the main settings tab.
Choose either 'Bible-based' (Christian biblical worldview) or 'Family-safe secular' (no religious framing).
Optionally add custom notes in the 'Anything else?' text box — examples: 'we hold a young-earth view', 'we don't discuss evolution', 'Charlotte Mason approach'. These notes are binding guidance for the tutor.
Click 'Save changes'.

Start a tutor session with a student

Go to AI tutor.
Make sure at least one student is added (you'll see a prompt to add a student if your list is empty).
In the 'Start a new session' card, click the button for the student you want to tutor.
You'll be taken directly into a chat thread with that student. The tutor will introduce itself on the first message from you or your student.

Chat with the tutor in a session

Click into any conversation from your list, or start a new one.
Type your (or your child's) question or prompt in the text box at the bottom.
Press Cmd/Ctrl + Enter or click the Send button.
The tutor will respond based on the student's current subjects and grade level. You'll see a counter showing messages left this week.
Keep typing — the tutor will remember the full conversation within the session.

Check your weekly message usage

Go to AI tutor.
Look at the 'Tutor usage' card near the top.
You'll see two counters: 'messages left this week' and 'top-up turns in your bank'.
Weekly messages reset every Monday (UTC). Top-up turns never expire and are only drawn down after your weekly messages are used up.

Buy extra tutor turns

Go to AI tutor.
In the 'Tutor usage' card, click one of the turn-bank buttons (e.g., '+60 turns — $9.99' or '+200 turns — $24.99').
Complete the Stripe checkout. You'll be redirected back to the tutor page with a success message.
Your extra turns are now in your bank and available immediately.

Pause a conversation

Go to AI tutor.
Find the conversation you want to pause in the list.
Click the 'Pause' button to the right of the conversation title.
No new messages can be sent until you resume it. The transcript stays readable.

Resume a paused conversation

Go to AI tutor.
Find the paused conversation (it shows a '⏸ Paused' badge).
Click the 'Resume' button, or open the conversation and click the 'Resume' button in the pause banner.
You can now send messages again.

Delete a conversation

Go to AI tutor.
Find the conversation you want to delete.
Click the 'Delete' button to the right of the conversation title.
A confirmation prompt appears. Click 'Confirm delete' to complete.
The conversation and all its messages are permanently removed.

Review a flagged conversation

Go to AI tutor.
Look for a conversation with a '⚠ Needs review' badge and a short reason (e.g., 'possible self-harm').
Click 'Open' to read the full conversation.
The tutor's system prompt already redirected your child to talk to you or a trusted adult. These flags are an extra heads-up so you see it if you miss the message.
You can resume or delete the conversation from here.

Options & settings

Worldview preset (Bible-based or Family-safe secular, set in Settings)
Custom worldview notes (optional, up to 2000 characters)
Pause / resume individual conversations
Delete individual conversations
Buy one-time turn-bank top-ups (60 or 200 turns, available for Family/co-op members only)

Common questions

What tier do I need to use the AI tutor?

The tutor is part of the Family plan (Family Monthly or Family Annual). Trial accounts get 10 free tutor messages during the 14-day free period. Co-op members also have access. Upgrade your plan in Settings to unlock unlimited weekly sessions.

How many messages can I send per week?

The Family plan includes 60 messages per family per week. Your counter resets every Monday at 00:00 UTC. If you run out before Monday, you can buy extra turns in your turn bank — they never expire and don't cost a subscription, just a one-time purchase.

Does the tutor know what my child is studying?

Yes. The tutor pulls your student's current grade level and active subjects from your gradebook each time it responds. If you've logged recent reading (books finished or in progress), the tutor knows that too. It does NOT see grades, test scores, or other performance data — only what's needed to teach with the right level and curriculum context.

How does the tutor know my worldview?

You set your family's worldview preset in Settings (Bible-based or Family-safe secular). If you add custom notes — like 'young-earth creationism' or 'Charlotte Mason approach' — the tutor treats those as binding guidance. The tutor frames content to match, and won't push religious teaching into neutral subjects unless your child asks.

Can I read what the tutor said to my child?

Absolutely. Every single message is saved to your account. Click 'Open' on any conversation to read the full transcript. There's no hidden chat or black-box AI — you have full visibility.

What happens if the tutor gets asked something inappropriate or unsafe?

The tutor redirects. Medical concerns: 'Please tell your parent so they can decide what to do next.' Mental health / self-harm / abuse: 'Tell a trusted adult right away.' Off-topic adult content (romance, drugs, weapons): 'That's something to ask your parent about.' If a message triggers the safety detector, we flag the conversation so you see it — go check what was said.

Good to know

Weekly messages reset Monday 00:00 UTC, not Sunday night your local time. Plan accordingly if you're on the west coast.
Turn-bank (top-up) turns are only drawn down AFTER your weekly 60 are exhausted. You can't use bank turns during the week; they kick in once you hit the limit.
The tutor remembers conversation history within a single session, but does NOT carry context between sessions. Each conversation is separate.
If you pause a conversation, no new messages can be sent, but you can still read the transcript. Resume it if you want to keep talking.
Top-up turns never expire — they stay in your bank indefinitely until used.
The tutor knows your child's grade level and current subjects, but NOT their grades or past performance. If you want the tutor to factor in a specific test score or skill gap, paste it into chat.
Messages are limited to 4000 characters (~1000 words). You can paste a short essay or math problem, but not a full page.

Plans

/tutor is gated to Family plan (Family Monthly, Family Annual) + co-op members. Trial accounts get 10 free tutor messages. Top-up turn purchases are available only to paid families (not trial).