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

# AutoDraft

> Prepare a first draft from review context, selected observations, and your notes.

## AutoDraft overview

AutoDraft helps you prepare a first draft of a self, peer, upward, or manager review. Windy uses the review questions, available context, selected observations, and material you add.

An observation is a point about the work that can support an answer. You select the observations to use. You can add examples that Windmill does not have.

AutoDraft saves editable answers. It does not submit the review. Check the draft and make corrections before submission.

## Prepare a draft

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open AutoDraft">
    Open your review in Windmill. Select **Begin AutoDraft** on the start screen or the review page. After you start a review, select **AutoDraft** at the top of the page.

    If you already entered text, Windmill warns that AutoDraft will replace your answers. Select **Continue to AutoDraft** to proceed or **Keep my answers** to cancel. Earlier answers remain in answer history.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the context and add notes">
    Read the context for the review period. Add written notes, record a voice note, or add a document. Include missing examples and explain points you agree or disagree with.

    If you record a voice note, check the transcript and correct errors before you draft the review.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select observations for each question">
    Read each text question and select the observations you agree with. Check source references where available. Add your own observations when needed. You do not need to select an observation that does not apply.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose how the draft reads">
    On **How it reads**, select the available voice and length options. These options help Windy use the writing style you want. Also choose how Windy uses your observations. See [Supporting observations](#supporting-observations).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Draft and check the review">
    Select **Draft review**. When the draft is ready, check each answer. Correct facts and add missing details. Complete ratings and other answer choices yourself before you submit.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Supporting observations

On **How it reads**, **Supporting observations** controls how much Windy adds from the observations you selected. Your judgments, priorities, and instructions stay the same with both options.

| Option | What Windy does |
| - | - |
| **Use where needed** (default) | Uses observations to understand your notes and fill gaps. If you left a question empty or named only a topic, Windy can use observations to write the answer. It does not add other facts or examples. |
| **Add relevant supporting detail** | Also adds evidence from observations to support points you already made. Windy adds only details that clarify a point, explain why it matters, or give a useful example. It does not list all of the work or add new recommendations. |

Start with **Use where needed** when your notes already say what you want. Choose **Add relevant supporting detail** when your notes are short and you want more examples in the review.

## Available questions and sources

AutoDraft drafts answers to text questions only. Complete ratings and other answer choices yourself. AutoDraft is not shown when there are no text questions.

Sources depend on the review type and your access. Manager reviews can use submitted self, peer, and upward feedback. Other reviews use the context available for that assignment. See [Windy and review context](/features/performance-reviews/windy-and-review-context).

If Windy cannot find useful observations, add your own examples. If observations fail to load, use **Try again**. Where available, **Regenerate observations** asks Windy to prepare observations again.

## Refine the draft

Use [Windy chat](/features/performance-reviews/windy-chat) to discuss the draft or [fine-tune the review](/features/performance-reviews/fine-tune-a-review) to change specific text.

To update a submitted review, submit again after you finish your changes. Saving a new draft does not replace the submitted answers.