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Ask MESkit — Natural Language Interface

Talk to your MES. The Operator Assistant executes shop floor operations through natural language — no menus, no clicks.

Last updated: March 7, 2026

Summary

What Ask MESkit is.

Summary

Ask MESkit is the natural language interface for shop floor operations. Instead of clicking through menus, operators type or speak commands to the Operator Assistant in the chat panel. The assistant calls the same tool layer as the UI buttons, so every operation is consistent — creating a line via chat produces exactly the same result as creating it via the UI.

How it works

The assistant uses tools, not templates.

When you send a message, the Operator Assistant:

  1. Understands intent — Parses your natural language request.
  2. Selects tools — Chooses the right MES tool(s) to fulfill the request.
  3. Confirms if needed — Asks for approval before destructive actions.
  4. Executes — Calls the tool layer, which writes to Supabase.
  5. Reports back — Streams a concise confirmation or result.

The assistant can chain multiple tools in a single response. For example, "Set up a demo shop floor" creates a line, workstations, machines, a part number with BOM, a serial algorithm, and a route — all in one go.

Mode-aware context

The assistant adapts to your current mode.

ModeAssistant focusExtra context
BuildShop floor setup — lines, workstations, machinesSelected line and workstation
ConfigureProducts, BOMs, routes, serial algorithmsSelected part number and route
RunProduction execution — orders, units, qualitySelected order, live WIP summary
MonitorAnalytics — throughput, yield, unit historyTime range and filters

Example commands by mode

What to say in each mode.

Build Mode

  • "Create a line called Assembly"
  • "Add 3 workstations to Assembly"
  • "Add a machine called Robot Arm to Station 1"
  • "Set Robot Arm to EXECUTE"
  • "What machines are in IDLE state?"
  • "List all lines"

Configure Mode

  • "Create part number Smartphone X"
  • "Add Battery Pack to BOM with quantity 2"
  • "Set serial prefix SMX with 5 digits"
  • "Create a route through Assembly"
  • "Mark step 3 as a pass/fail gate"

Run Mode

  • "Create order for 50 units of Smartphone X"
  • "Generate 10 units for PO-0001"
  • "Move SMX-00042 to the next step"
  • "Scrap SMX-00015 — cold solder joint"
  • "How many units are at Station 2?"
  • "Record torque 52 Nm for SMX-00038"

Monitor Mode

  • "How is yield today?"
  • "Show throughput for the last hour"
  • "Trace SMX-00042 — full history"
  • "What is the carbon footprint for Smartphone X?"

Demo shop floor

One command to set up everything.

Say "Set up a demo shop floor" and the assistant will create a complete manufacturing environment:

  • Assembly line with 3 workstations (Prep, Assembly, QC Inspection)
  • A machine at each workstation
  • Part number "Widget A" with items and BOM
  • Route through all 3 workstations with QC as a pass/fail gate
  • Serial algorithm (prefix WA, 5 digits)

After setup, you can start the Simulator or generate units manually.

Key facts and FAQ

Quick reference.

Key facts

  • Ask MESkit is the chat panel on the right side of the screen — available in every mode.
  • The Operator Assistant calls the same tool layer as the UI buttons — no separate API.
  • The assistant is mode-aware: it adjusts its behavior based on Build, Configure, Run, or Monitor mode.
  • Context is injected automatically: the selected line, part number, route, and production order.
  • In Run Mode, the assistant receives live WIP data so it can answer questions about current production.
  • The assistant asks for confirmation before delete or update operations.
  • Agent actions appear in the live ticker alongside UI actions.

Mini FAQ

What can I ask the Operator Assistant?

Anything you can do in the UI: create lines, add workstations, define products, generate units, move WIP, check yield, log quality events, and more. The assistant has access to all MES tools.

Does the assistant know what I have selected in the UI?

Yes. The assistant receives context about the active mode, selected line, workstation, part number, route, and production order. It scopes its actions accordingly.

Will the assistant delete things without asking?

No. The assistant asks for confirmation before any destructive or mutating action — deletes, updates, and status changes all require explicit approval.

Can I use the assistant while the simulation is running?

Yes. The Simulator runs independently in the background. The assistant stays in the chat panel and responds to your questions using live production data.