---
title: "How do I build a playbook with the Console (Ask Ballet)?"
description: "TL;DR: The Console is Ballet's AI assistant panel on Home and inside playbooks. Describe what you want, review the plan, and let Ask Ballet create or edit steps, run playbooks, and use skills. Set Allow or Ask mode to control how autonomously the AI acts."
canonical_url: "https://docs.ballet.dev/articles/how-do-i-build-a-playbook-with-the-console-ask-ballet-oHptRP9mI4"
md_url: "https://docs.ballet.dev/articles/how-do-i-build-a-playbook-with-the-console-ask-ballet-oHptRP9mI4.md"
---
# How do I build a playbook with the Console (Ask Ballet)?

**TL;DR:** The Console is Ballet's AI assistant panel on Home and inside playbooks. Describe what you want, review the plan, and let Ask Ballet create or edit steps, run playbooks, and use skills. Set Allow or Ask mode to control how autonomously the AI acts.

 ![](https://docs.ballet.dev/api/attachments.redirect?id=5cecfc50-48a9-4335-ba73-fe67e9ca0bca " =3024x1716")

## Who this is for

Builders and Owners using Ask Ballet to author or modify playbooks.

## Where is the Console?

* **Home** — the main composer is Ask Ballet for planning new automations.
* **Inside a playbook** — the Console panel helps you edit steps, debug runs, and iterate.

## How do I build with the Console?


1. Open Home or a playbook.
2. Describe the workflow you want — include tools, triggers, and expected outputs.
3. Review Ask Ballet's **Plan** before confirming.
4. Confirm **Build** to create or modify steps.
5. Click on the updated steps to review the JavaScript or configuration code.
   6\. Switch to the **Play** tab and run the playbook to test.
   7\. Click **Publish** in the top-right corner to deploy the updated version of your playbook.

## What can the Console do?

* Create and edit playbook steps (Code and HTTP)
* Connect tools and reference secrets
* Run playbooks and inspect results
* Ask clarifying questions when requirements are ambiguous
* Apply **Skills** for domain-specific guidance

## What are Allow vs Ask modes?

* **Allow** — the Console can make changes and run actions without asking each time.
* **Ask** — the Console proposes actions and waits for your approval.

See [Allow vs Ask modes](/articles/what-are-allow-vs-ask-permission-modes-GYMSyh6ZZI) for details.

## Related articles

* [How does the Plan vs Build flow work?](/articles/how-does-the-plan-vs-build-flow-work-fS39QIPJyt)
* [What are Allow vs Ask permission modes?](/articles/what-are-allow-vs-ask-permission-modes-GYMSyh6ZZI)
* [Build your first automation with Ask Ballet](/articles/build-your-first-automation-with-ask-ballet-zfkqVlu4cC)