AI assists in the field app: what they are and where they appear
The ten optional AI tools for technicians, where each one shows up in the screens you already use, and how to turn them off.
- Technician
- Dispatcher
- Owner
- Admin
Part of this feature is available today. The article marks what's still coming.
On this page
Overview#
The field app works the same with or without AI. AI assists are optional helpers that appear inside the screens you already use, at the moment they're useful, marked with the sparkle and the word AI. None of them is ever a required step, and each one can be turned off for the whole company or just for you.
| Tool | Where it appears | Needs AI? |
|---|---|---|
| Scan to part | Appointment (while Working), Equipment, My truck › Identify a part | Photos need AI; typing a model, part number or rating works without it |
| Fault finder | Appointment, Equipment | Yes |
| Gauge reader | Appointment, Equipment | Photos need AI; typed readings work without it |
| Job story | Appointment, after Finish appointment (suggestion row) | No: without AI it's built from the job's records |
| Replace or repair | Equipment (card) | No: rule-based |
| Panel reader / Wiring diagram | Appointment | Yes |
| Code check | Appointment | No: without AI it shows matching sections from the library |
| Hands-free | Appointment | Speech-to-text for voice; typed commands work without it |
| Listen (beta) | Appointment, Equipment | No: loudness patterns on the phone |
| Measure | Appointment | No: typed measurements |
Before you start#
You need the technician AI tools (tech_ai.use). Technicians, dispatchers, owners and admins have it. Customer service, accounting and viewers never see AI assists.
AI must be on for the company (Settings › AI). Tools that need a model also need an Anthropic API key on the server; without one they're hidden and the others keep working.
Steps#
Open an appointment and tap Arrived, start work. While the status is Working, the AI assists row appears after Tools, with the tools in the order your trade uses them (HVAC, plumbing or electrical, worked out from the job type, business unit and equipment).
Tap a tool. It opens on its own screen; results show a confidence where it's a judgement, and an AI mark.
Results become part of the job only when you press the tool's save button (for example Save to job notes or Save readings). Otherwise nothing is written.
Earlier results on the job are listed under Earlier on this job; tap one to open it again (they open with no signal too).
To hide the row for this job, tap the X next to AI assists.
Settings that change this#
Settings › AI › AI assists, group Field app: one switch per tool and an optional daily dollar limit per tool.
Settings › AI › Field AI tools: code check: your jurisdiction and adopted code editions.
Account › Show AI assists (field app): hides every AI assist for you only.
Tips#
Photos you take in a tool are stored on the job (private to your company), captioned with the tool's name.
With no signal, a photo you take for Scan to part, Fault finder, Gauge reader or Panel reader is saved on the phone and read when you're back online; it shows under Earlier on this job with Waiting for signal.
Troubleshooting#
The AI assists row isn't there → the appointment isn't Working, the tools are off in Settings › AI, or Show AI assists is off in Account → start work, or ask an owner to turn them on.
A tool I used yesterday is missing → today's AI limit for it is used up, or AI isn't connected → it comes back tomorrow, or when an admin adds the key.
FAQ#
Q: Does AI ever order parts, send texts or finish the visit? No. Scan to part creates requests for people to act on; Job story is sent only when you press Send; Hands-free "finish" takes you back to the wrap-up.
Q: Is this the same as the job assistant and Troubleshoot? Those are the E49 Tools section and keep working as before. AI assists sit next to them.
Coming from ServiceTitan#
ServiceTitan sells similar helpers as a paid add-on. In TradesWork they're included, sit inside the normal job screens instead of a separate app, and can be switched off per tool. Lidar measuring, Bluetooth meters and audio AI aren't in this release (see each tool's article).
Related articles
- Scan to part: identify a part and find it on your truckPhotograph a data plate, part label or failed part (or type its number) to see matching parts, price-book prices, truck and warehouse stock, then add it to an estimate or request it.
- Gauge reader: capture readings and check the charge and electricalPhotograph your gauges or meter (or type the readings) to save them to the unit and check superheat, subcooling, voltage and amp draw against the nameplate.
- Job story: a customer summary when you finishAfter you finish an appointment, draft what you found, did and recommend in the customer's language, plus the invoice narrative and warranty-claim notes, and edit before sending.
- Replace or repair: advice and good/better/best in one tapOn a unit, see whether repair makes sense from its age, refrigerant, repair history and the repair price, and build a good/better/best replacement proposal in one tap.
- Use the job assistant, AI troubleshooting and calculatorsAsk questions about the job you're on, get AI troubleshooting steps for a unit, look up typical specs, and run field calculators that work offline.
- AI assists: the optional AI layer, and how to turn it offWhat the AI mark means, where the optional AI helpers appear, and how to switch them off for yourself or for the whole company.
Still need help?
Ask the assistant a question about your account, or open a ticket and a person will reply.