> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.outband.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Communication Canvas > How the Communication Canvas automatically structures complex conversation threads into agreements, open items, and action items. The Communication Canvas is Outband's tool for making complex conversations understandable at a glance. When email threads grow long and involve multiple participants, the Canvas extracts structured information automatically. ## How It Works The Canvas Engine has six components that work together: 1. **Canvas Manager** -- Creates and maintains Canvas documents for significant threads 2. **Resolution Tracker** -- Monitors which items have been resolved and which remain open 3. **Task Extractor** -- Identifies action items and commitments from natural language 4. **Evidence Linker** -- Connects each agreement or item back to the specific message where it was stated 5. **Conflict Separator** -- Identifies contradictions or disagreements within a thread 6. **Version Controller** -- Tracks how the Canvas evolves over time as new messages arrive ## What the Canvas Shows A Canvas organizes a conversation thread into clear sections: ### Agreements Decisions that have been made. Each agreement links back to the message where it was confirmed, so you can verify the context. ### Open Items Questions or topics that have been raised but not resolved. The Canvas tracks how long each item has been open. ### Action Items Tasks that emerged from the conversation. Each action item includes who is responsible and any mentioned deadline. ### Evidence Key messages that are important for understanding the thread. Evidence is linked to specific agreements or open items. ### Conflicts If participants have made contradictory statements or disagreed, the Canvas flags these so you can address them. ## When Canvases Are Created Canvases are generated automatically based on thread characteristics: * Threads with 5+ messages from multiple participants * Threads containing decision-making language * Threads with explicit commitments or action items * Threads spanning multiple channels (email + Slack about the same topic) You do not need to create Canvases manually. They appear in your Daily Briefing and in the **Canvas** section of the sidebar. ## Canvas Versioning Every time a Canvas is updated (because new messages arrive in the thread), a new version is created. You can: * View the latest version for the current state * Compare versions to see what changed between updates * Roll back to see the state of the conversation at any point in time ## Practical Uses | Scenario | How Canvas helps | | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Contract negotiation** | Tracks every clause that has been agreed, what is still being negotiated, and who needs to respond | | **Project coordination** | Lists all commitments made across team emails, with owners and deadlines | | **Board communication** | Summarizes decisions from multi-email board discussions | | **Meeting follow-up** | After a meeting, the Canvas of the follow-up thread shows whether all action items have been addressed | | **Client management** | Tracks deliverables, milestones, and open questions across a long client relationship | ## Canvas in the Context Pipeline The Communication Canvas is Stage 3 of Outband's 5-stage Communication Context Pipeline: 1. **Personal DNA** -- Your communication style 2. **Contact Models** -- Per-contact intelligence 3. **Communication Canvas** -- Structured thread state (this page) 4. **Events/Calendar** -- Temporal context (meetings, deadlines) 5. **Relationship Graph** -- Network topology This means Canvas data enriches everything Outband does -- from drafts to perception predictions to briefing prioritization. ## Related Step-by-step guide to using Canvases. How Canvas items appear in your briefing.