---
title: Create Your First Document
description: Pick a template, answer a few questions, and generate a persona-grounded research document in seconds.
---

Documents in Brand Stack are AI-generated artifacts grounded in your persona and product context. This guide walks you through creating your first one.

## Step 1: Open the template library

Navigate to **Documents → Templates** in the sidebar. You'll see [111+ templates](/documents/templates) organized by category: Product, Marketing, Competitive Analysis, Research, Design, Sales, Business, and more.

Use the search bar or filter by tags to find what you need. Some good first documents:

- **Product Brief** — A one-page summary of what you're building and why
- **Competitive Analysis** — How alternatives stack up against what your customers value
- **Messaging Framework** — Value propositions and proof points in your customers' language
- **Interview Guide** — Research questions designed around your persona hypotheses

Click a template to start.

## Step 2: Answer the questionnaire

Each template includes a focused set of questions that capture the context needed for generation. The questions vary by template type.

Two features help you move faster:
- **Example answers** — Show what good input looks like for each question
- **Auto fill** — Generates answers based on your product context (click to populate, then edit)

Take a minute to review and refine your answers. Better input produces better output.

## Step 3: Select your personas

Choose which personas should ground the document. Their demographics, goals, pain points, and behavioral insights all feed into the generation.

For your first document, select 1-2 personas most relevant to the topic. A product brief about onboarding? Pick the persona who'd be going through that onboarding.

## Step 4: Generate

Click generate. Brand Stack produces a complete, structured document in seconds. The result opens in the block editor where you can immediately start reading, editing, and sharing.

Each document costs **1 credit**.

## After generation

Your document is ready to use, but you can refine it further:

- **Edit directly** in the block editor (changes save automatically)
- **Use [AI Tools](/documents/ai-editor)** in the toolbar to improve writing, adjust tone, or expand sections
- **Open the right panel** to [ask questions, search sources, and add comments](/documents/research-and-collaboration)
- **Share** via direct link or publish to the [community](https://brandstack.dev/community/documents)

## Tips

- **Link to a project** for richer context. Documents generated inside a [project](/projects) use all linked persona and product data.
- **Generate multiple documents** from the same personas. A product brief, competitive analysis, and messaging framework for the same audience gives you a complete strategy kit.
- **Favorite templates** you use often for quick access.

## What's next

Ready to organize your work? Head to [Start a Project →](/getting-started/first-project)