> ## 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 to use the Communication Canvas to see agreements, open items, and action items across complex conversation threads.

When email threads get long and complex, it is easy to lose track of what was agreed, what is still open, and who owes what to whom. The Communication Canvas solves this by generating a structured view of any significant thread.

## What Is a Canvas?

A Canvas is an auto-generated map of a communication thread that shows:

* **Agreements** -- What has been decided
* **Open items** -- Questions or topics still unresolved
* **Action items** -- Tasks extracted from the conversation with assigned owners
* **Evidence** -- Key messages that support each agreement or item
* **Conflicts** -- Contradictory statements or disagreements that need resolution

## Viewing Your Canvases

Select **Canvas** in the sidebar to see all active Canvases. Each Canvas card shows:

* The thread subject or topic
* Number of participants
* Count of open items and action items
* Last updated timestamp
* Resolution status (active, partially resolved, resolved)

## Reading a Canvas

Select any Canvas to open it. You will see a structured document with clear sections:

### Agreements Section

Shows what has been decided in the thread. Each agreement includes:

* What was agreed
* When it was agreed
* The specific message where the agreement was made (linked for context)

### Open Items Section

Lists unresolved questions or topics:

* The question or issue
* Who raised it
* How long it has been open
* Suggested resolution (if Outband has one)

### Action Items Section

Tasks extracted from the conversation:

* What needs to be done
* Who is responsible
* Any mentioned deadline
* Current status

### Evidence Section

Key messages linked to agreements and decisions. You can select any evidence link to see the original message in context.

## How Canvases Are Created

Canvases are generated automatically when Outband detects a significant multi-message thread. You do not need to create them manually. The Canvas Engine monitors:

* Thread length (typically 5+ messages triggers Canvas generation)
* Multiple participants
* Decision-making language
* Action items and commitments

## Canvas and Your Briefing

Canvases appear in your Daily Briefing when:

* A new Canvas is generated for a thread you are part of
* An existing Canvas has new activity (new agreements, updated items)
* An action item in a Canvas is approaching its deadline

## Canvas Versions

Every time a Canvas is updated, a new version is created. You can:

1. View the current state of any Canvas
2. Compare versions to see what changed
3. Track how agreements evolved over time

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use Canvas for negotiation threads">
    Complex negotiations (contracts, project scope, partnership terms) are ideal for Canvas. It keeps track of what has been agreed so you never lose context.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check action items regularly">
    The Canvas extracts tasks from natural language -- review them to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Canvas as meeting prep">
    Before a meeting about an active thread, open the Canvas to see the current state of all agreements and open items.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Communication Canvas (concept)" icon="book" href="/concepts/communication-canvas">
    Learn how the Canvas Engine works behind the scenes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contact Intelligence" icon="address-book" href="/journeys/contact-intelligence">
    Explore the Contact Models that enrich Canvas context.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>