Daily Workflows

These are the most common ways to use Genie once setup is out of the way.

Understand before you change

Use this pattern when you want confidence before editing a script.

1. Open the script in FileMaker.
2. Use Add Selection or Add Scripts.
3. Ask Genie to explain the current behavior in ASK Mode.
4. If needed, turn on Debug for deeper troubleshooting.
5. Ask for a coding plan before you switch to CODE Mode.

Make a targeted script change

Use this when you know what needs to change.

1. Capture the current script or selected rows.
2. Switch to CODE Mode.
3. Describe the change in specific FileMaker terms.
4. Answer preflight questions if Genie asks.
5. Review Preview Code first.
6. Use Apply Code only after the preview matches your intent.

Start with First Task: Write Your First Script Change.

Work across more than one script

Use Add Scripts when the change depends on multiple open Script Workspace tabs.

This is the better choice when:

• one script calls another
• you need supporting context before editing
• you want Genie to compare related implementations

See Context Capture.

Inspect data without changing it

Use QUERY Mode when you want answers from FileMaker data with table, chart, or raw output.

Good fits:

• quick checks during development
• counts, summaries, and comparisons
• validating assumptions before a script change

Start with First Task: Run Your First Query.

Run guided data or schema actions

Use DATA Mode only when you understand the change and are ready to confirm it.

Good fits:

• guided high-impact data changes
• structured migration-style work
• tasks that need explicit confirmation before execution

Start with First Task: Run Your First Data Task.

When output is incomplete or cautious

Genie may return warnings, assumptions, or a review-first result instead of something ready to apply.

That usually means one of these:

• the context is incomplete
• the request is ambiguous
• the task needs clarification before Genie can act safely

Use Reliability and Repairs and Safety and Confirmation Model for the recovery path.