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The Kasava Google Docs add-on brings AI assistance directly into your documents for technical writing, content improvement, and document generation. Powered by Mastra AI, it provides intelligent suggestions without leaving Google Docs.

Overview

The add-on provides:
  • AI writing assistance directly in Google Docs
  • Quick actions for common tasks (summarize, improve, expand)
  • Custom prompts for specialized requests
  • Content insertion at cursor or selection
  • Query history for reference

Installation

1

Open Google Docs

Create or open any Google Doc where you want to use the assistant
2

Access Add-ons

Click “Extensions” in the menu bar, then “Add-ons”, then “Get add-ons”
3

Search for Kasava

In the Google Workspace Marketplace, search for “Kasava AI Assistant”
4

Install

Click “Install” and grant the requested permissions
5

Configure API Key

Open the add-on and go to Settings to add your Kasava API key

Getting Your API Key

To use the add-on, you need a Kasava API key:
  1. Log in to your Kasava account
  2. Navigate to Settings > API Keys
  3. Create a new API key
  4. Copy the key (format: kasava_live_... or kasava_test_...)
Keep your API key secure. It provides access to your Kasava account’s AI capabilities.

Accessing the Add-on

After installation, access the add-on through the Extensions menu:
  1. Open any Google Doc
  2. Click Extensions > Kasava AI Assistant > Open AI Assistant
  3. The Kasava sidebar appears on the right side of your document
Google Docs with Kasava sidebar open The add-on menu provides several entry points:
Menu ItemDescription
Open AI AssistantOpens the main sidebar
Analyze SelectionOpens sidebar with selected text ready
Summarize DocumentOpens sidebar to summarize entire document
Generate ContentOpens sidebar for content generation
SettingsConfigure API key and preferences

Using the Sidebar

Main Interface

The sidebar contains:
  1. Query Input: Text area for your questions or requests
  2. Context Options: Checkboxes for including selected text or full document
  3. Quick Actions: One-click buttons for common operations
  4. Response Area: Where AI responses appear
  5. Query History: Recent queries for quick re-use
Kasava sidebar showing main interface elements

Asking the AI Assistant

1

Enter Your Request

Type your question or instruction in the text area
2

Choose Context

  • Check “Use selected text” to include your current selection
  • Check “Include full document context” for document-aware responses
3

Click Ask Assistant

The AI processes your request and returns a response
4

Use the Response

Insert into document, copy to clipboard, or refine further

Context Options

OptionWhen to Use
Use selected textWhen you want AI to work with specific content
Include full documentWhen the AI needs broader context for better answers
For best results with technical documents, include full document context so the AI understands your writing style and subject matter.

Quick Actions

The sidebar provides one-click actions for common tasks:

Summarize (Alt+1)

Condenses selected text or full document into key points:
  • Works best with substantial content
  • Produces bullet points or brief paragraphs
  • Great for executive summaries

Improve (Alt+2)

Enhances writing quality:
  • Fixes grammar and spelling
  • Improves clarity and flow
  • Maintains your voice and intent

Expand (Alt+3)

Adds detail to brief content:
  • Elaborates on key points
  • Adds supporting information
  • Useful for fleshing out outlines

Simplify (Alt+4)

Makes complex text more accessible:
  • Reduces jargon
  • Shortens sentences
  • Improves readability
Quick actions buttons in the sidebar

Working with Responses

Response Actions

When you receive an AI response:
ActionDescription
Insert into documentPlaces text at cursor position
CopyCopies response to clipboard

Insertion Behavior

  • At cursor: Content inserts where your cursor is positioned
  • Replace selection: If text is selected, it can be replaced
  • End of document: Fallback if cursor position is unclear

Settings

Configure the add-on through the Settings dialog:

Accessing Settings

  1. Click Extensions > Kasava AI Assistant > Settings
  2. Or access from within the sidebar

Configuration Options

SettingDescription
API KeyYour Kasava API key (required)
EmailYour Kasava account email

Testing Your Connection

After entering your API key:
  1. Click “Test Connection”
  2. Verify you see “Connection successful!”
  3. If it fails, check your API key format and validity
Settings dialog with API key field and test button

Query History

The sidebar maintains a history of recent queries:
  • View previous questions
  • Quickly re-run a query
  • Clear history when needed

Managing History

  • Click on a history item to load it as the current query
  • Click “Clear” to remove all history
  • History is stored locally in your browser

Best Practices

Writing Effective Prompts

Be specific about what you want: Instead of: “Make this better” Try: “Improve the clarity of this paragraph while maintaining a professional tone, and fix any grammatical errors”

Using Context Wisely

  • For isolated edits, select just the relevant text
  • For coherent documents, include full document context
  • Balance context with response speed

Document Organization

  • Break large documents into sections for focused assistance
  • Use the assistant for one task at a time
  • Review and refine AI suggestions before accepting

Rate Limits

To ensure fair usage, the add-on has rate limits:
  • Maximum 10 requests per minute
  • 30-second timeout per request
  • 50KB maximum response size
If you hit rate limits, wait a moment before making more requests.

Privacy and Security

The add-on respects your privacy:
  • Only accesses document content when you invoke a command
  • Does not store document content on Kasava servers
  • Processes through secure API connections
  • API key stored locally in your Google account

Permissions Explained

PermissionPurpose
View and edit documentsRead selected text, insert AI responses
Display sidebarShow the Kasava interface
Connect to external serviceCommunicate with Kasava AI API

Troubleshooting

Refresh the page. Check that the add-on is installed via Extensions > Add-ons > Manage add-ons. Try reinstalling if needed.
Verify your key starts with kasava_live_ or kasava_test_. Check that the key is active in your Kasava dashboard. Ensure you have sufficient API credits.
Large documents or complex requests take longer. Try selecting smaller sections. Check your internet connection.
Ensure you have edit access to the document. Place your cursor where you want the text inserted. Try copying and pasting manually if issues persist.
Wait at least one minute before making more requests. Consider batching your work into fewer, more comprehensive queries.

Keyboard Shortcuts

ShortcutAction
Alt + 1Summarize selection
Alt + 2Improve selection
Alt + 3Expand selection
Alt + 4Simplify selection
Ctrl/Cmd + EnterSubmit query (when input is focused)

Use Cases

Technical Documentation

  • Generate API documentation from code comments
  • Improve clarity of technical explanations
  • Create user guides from feature notes

Meeting Notes

  • Summarize lengthy meeting transcripts
  • Extract action items
  • Format notes for distribution

Content Creation

  • Expand outlines into full content
  • Generate introductions and conclusions
  • Improve drafts for publication

Review and Editing

  • Check grammar and style
  • Simplify complex language
  • Ensure consistency across documents