--- title: "Using Cascade Analyst: Asking Your First Question" description: "This article walks through asking Cascade Analyst a question and reading the answer properly. For what Analyst is and why it exists, see Cascade Analyst: AI Insights On Demand." --- [Skip to content](https://knowledgebase.cascadedebt.com/using-cascade-analyst-asking-your-first-question#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Customer portal](https://support.cascadedebt.com/tickets?hsLang=en) ![cascade-lockup-dark.png\]](https://knowledgebase.cascadedebt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(new)/cascade-lockup-dark.png?height=40&name=cascade-lockup-dark.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Customer portal](https://support.cascadedebt.com/tickets) - Go to www.cascadedebt.com Go to www.cascadedebt.com How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Cascade Debt Knowledge Base](https://knowledgebase.cascadedebt.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [AI Analyst](https://knowledgebase.cascadedebt.com/ai-analyst?hsLang=en) # Using Cascade Analyst: Asking Your First Question ## This article walks through asking Cascade Analyst a question and reading the answer properly. For what Analyst is and why it exists, see Cascade Analyst: AI Insights On Demand. ### **Start a thread** Click the **Analyst** icon at the top of the left-hand rail, then **+ New chat**. ![](https://knowledgebase.cascadedebt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-15-9243-PM.png?width=892&height=492&name=undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-15-9243-PM.png) #### **Ask the question** Type your question and press the send arrow. Be specific about the facility and the date — Analyst will answer against whatever it can find, so "for Facility 1" and "as at 31 October" earn their place in the question. ![](https://knowledgebase.cascadedebt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-16-3005-PM.png?width=892&height=492&name=undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-16-3005-PM.png) #### **Watch it work** Analyst shows each stage as it goes: rewriting your query for context, classifying intent, selecting analysis tools, and executing them. A long **Executing tools** stage usually means it is querying a large dataset, not that it has stalled. ![](https://knowledgebase.cascadedebt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-17-5929-PM.png?width=892&height=492&name=undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-17-5929-PM.png) #### **Read the answer** ![](https://knowledgebase.cascadedebt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-17-2550-PM.png?width=892&height=492&name=undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-17-2550-PM.png) Three things to look at every time: - **The as-of qualifier.** A good answer tells you the date its figures relate to. In the example above Analyst volunteers that the figure is as at 15 July 2024 and is not a current-day snapshot. If an answer does not say, ask. - **The follow-ups.** Analyst proposes the next questions a reviewer would ask. Clicking one carries the context forward. - **Processing used.** This names each tool Analyst called and the number of steps it took. #### **Check the source** Click any tool name in the **Processing used** line to open the raw data it returned. ![](https://knowledgebase.cascadedebt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-16-9170-PM.png?width=892&height=492&name=undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-16-9170-PM.png) This is how you verify an answer rather than trusting it. For anything going to an investor, confirm the figure against the relevant Manage or Analytics page as well. #### **Attaching a file** Click **Attach** beside the question box to add a loan tape or document to the conversation. Analyst will read it and answer against it alongside your platform data. #### **Choosing a model** ![](https://knowledgebase.cascadedebt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-16-6104-PM.png?width=892&height=492&name=undefined-Nov-12-2026-07-17-16-6104-PM.png) #### **Picking up where you left off** Threads are saved automatically and named from your first question. They are listed under **Recents** in the left panel, with **View all** for the full history. Click any thread to resume it. #### **Limits** Analyst can only see what your account can see. If a company or facility is missing from an answer, check your permissions before assuming the data is absent. And note the standing caution on every screen: **Cascade Analyst can make mistakes. 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