How to Use Artifacts Feature in CometAI

This article covers the Artifacts feature in CometAI, which allows users to create, manage, and share content like code, documents, and diagrams within a unified workspace. It explains how to enable the feature, use the sidebar tools, preview and edit artifacts, and troubleshoot common issues.

Table of Contents

The Artifacts feature in CometAI is a content creation and management system that allows you to build, store, and share finished items such as documents, code files, diagrams, or other saved projects. When enabled, it adds specialized AI tools and artifact storage capabilities so you can easily create, organize, and retrieve your work anytime.

To use the Artifacts feature, first open the << CometAI >> platform in your browser and log in using your UTD NetID and password.

• Enable or Disable the Artifacts Feature
• Using the Artifact Sidebar Menu
• Additional Feature: Open in Sandbox for Code View
• Artifact Example
• Conclusion
• Troubleshooting Artifacts

Enable or Disable the Artifacts Feature

• If the left sidebar is hidden, click the ←| icon to open it.
• At the top of the left sidebar, click the ⚙ Settings tab.
• Select Settings.

• In the Settings popup window, scroll to the Features section and check or uncheck Artifacts to enable or disable it.
• Click Save and close the window to apply your changes.

Using the Artifact Sidebar Menu

• When you open an artifact, a sidebar menu appears on the right side of the screen (Figure 3).
  • This menu contains tools for viewing, saving, sharing, and managing your artifact.
• By default, the artifact opens in code view or text view.
  • To see how it looks when running, click Preview Artifact.
  • In preview mode, this option changes to View Code, allowing you to switch back.

Artifact Sidebar Menu Options:

• Preview Artifact / View Code: 
  • ​​​​​​​Switch between viewing the artifact’s code and running it in a live preview.
• Save Artifact: 
  • ​​​​​​​Save your current artifact and attach it to conversations using the “Add Artifacts To Conversation” button at the top of the chat window (Figure 3).

• Upload Artifact to Amplify File Manager:
  • ​​​​​​​Upload the artifact to your CometAI File Manager for easy access and deployment.

• Add Version Copy to Artifact List:
  • Create a new version or modify an existing version of the artifact and add it to your list without losing the current version.
• Copy Artifact:
  • ​​​​​​​Copy the code / text to your clipboard.
• Download Artifact: 
  • ​​​​​​​Download the artifact as a file to your local device.
• Email Artifact: 
  • ​​​​​​​Send the artifact directly to a recipient’s email address.
• Share Artifact:
  • ​​​​​​​Share the artifact with other CometAI users.
• Edit Artifact:
  • ​​​​​​​Open the artifact in edit mode to make changes.
• Delete Version:
  • ​​​​​​​Remove the current version of the artifact from your list.

Additional Feature: Open in Sandbox for Code View

The Open Sandbox button in the Artifact panel lets you instantly open your artifact in a fully configured CodeSandbox environment, with your code already loaded and ready to run.

When you click Open Sandbox:

• Your code is sent to CodeSandbox - All files from your artifact are transferred so you can view, edit, and run them in a complete development environment.
• The project is ready to go - HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files are linked so everything works together without extra setup.
• You can inspect the full file layout – See all project files and their paths exactly as CodeSandbox interprets them.

Why Use It?

• Useful for experimenting safely - test changes in CodeSandbox without affecting your main project.

Important Notes:

• The Open Sandbox button is only visible on the Artifact Panel when Preview is selected. It will not appear when viewing the code directly. To use it, select Preview, then click Open Sandbox.
• CodeSandbox opens in a separate browser tab.
• Changes made in CodeSandbox will not automatically synchronize back to the main app.
• Always review filenames and file paths in CodeSandbox to confirm they are linked correctly.

Artifact Example

Breakout Game

Prompt

“Create a functional “Breakout” game that runs directly in a web browser.

• Theme: space
• Background: solid black
• UI style: modern
• Ball: animated comet with a trailing tail”

Artifact

• Code:

• Preview: Once in Preview mode, CometAI will run the code in the browser.

Conclusion

The Artifacts feature transforms CometAI from a simple conversational assistant into a comprehensive content creation and management workspace. Whether you are developing documents, interactive code projects, visual diagrams, or creative media, the Artifacts feature allows users to transform your ideas into concrete outputs that you can retain, enhance, and repurpose all within a single platform. Remember to keep the Artifacts feature on to use it.

Troubleshooting Artifacts

• If artifacts are not being generated, first check the settings to ensure the option is enabled.
• If it is not enabled, enable it and try again after a short period.
• If the option is already enabled, disable it, re-enable it, refresh the portal, and attempt the process again.
• If issues persist, please provide the prompt you used and email cometai@utdallas.edu with additional details.