How RationalGrid works

Turn one question into a map of ideas you can explore and share.

Use it when the first answer is not quite enough. Compare views, keep the useful bits, and work out what you think.

Start a grid Follow the flow

The core loop

What happens inside a grid?

Each question starts from an idea already in the grid, so the link stays clear. You choose what to explore next.

  1. 1

    Ask

    Name the question or topic.

  2. 2

    Read

    See the answer and what led to it.

  3. 3

    Branch

    Ask AI or add your own idea.

  4. 4

    Examine

    Check the idea from more than one side.

  5. 5

    Keep

    Star ideas and save passages.

  6. 6

    Share

    Edit together or publish.

Step 1 · Ask

What would you like to explore?

Choose a prompt or start with your own. Questions can be practical, philosophical, or simply awkward to ask aloud.

Choices

Should cities use more cameras in public spaces?

Open this question

Technology

How do websites decide what people see?

Open this question

Meaning

What makes a life feel meaningful?

Open this question

Government

Would a basic income help everyone?

Open this question

Ethics

Is it wrong to eat meat?

Open this question

Technology

What should concern us as AI becomes more common?

Open this question

New grids are public and editable by default. Anyone can read them and, while editing is on, contribute. Sign in before creating one if you want to control access in Settings, and never include sensitive details.

Have your own question?

Start with it now.

Ask your own question

Choose the explanation level

Set the grid to Simple, Expanded, or In-depth. New AI answers use that language and depth. Change it later under Grid tools → Answer level.

RationalGrid workspace showing a connected response map
An answer becomes a set of connected ideas you can read and revisit.

Step 2 · Read

Read each answer beside what led to it.

Choose an idea to read it, follow its links, or open a new branch from that point.

  • Select an idea to read it.
  • Check what came before before opening a new branch.
  • Switch to Read to follow one clear path.
  • Translate the current idea under Settings → Translate.
  • Search the whole grid from the top bar or press ⌘K.
  • Group large branches under Settings → Collaboration, then focus on one group at a time.

Step 3 · Branch

Choose how to go deeper.

Start from the idea you are reading. Ask AI or add the next step yourself.

Ask AI

Create an answer connected to the idea you selected.

Comment

Add your own point, concern, example, or question.

Select a phrase

Open focused actions for one sentence or idea.

Find related ideas

Explore nearby topics and new directions.

Step 4 · Examine

Use the critical-thinking tools.

Select an idea or passage, then choose how you want to check it.

Built for critical thinking

More than a list of AI prompts.

RationalGrid’s Examine tools were developed as a practical critical-thinking framework in collaboration with Philosophy for All and philosopher and educator Peter Worley.

They help you define terms, expose assumptions, test claims, strengthen opposing arguments, and look for what is missing. Each result becomes a connected branch, so the reasoning stays visible and the final judgement remains yours.

Clarify terms

What do we mean?

Spot words that could mean different things.

Assumptions

What has to be true?

Find what the idea takes for granted.

Source check

Says who?

Check the source, evidence, methods, funding, and uncertainty.

Steel man

What is the strongest version?

Build the fairest case for the idea.

Test

Is that always true?

Look for examples that do not fit.

Other perspectives

Who disagrees?

Find views the current source, community, or AI answer may leave out.

Implications

If true, then what?

See what might happen if it is true.

Blind spots

What are we missing?

Find facts or limits that were missed.

What if

What could change?

Try the idea in a different situation.

Match the source to the claim. Look for primary material and original research for direct findings, and strong reviews or consensus reports for the wider picture. RationalGrid asks AI to keep documented fact, interpretation, and speculation separate, but important claims still need checking.

No source is neutral or complete. Make room for dissenting voices and other interpretations, then compare their evidence. Being overlooked does not automatically make a view correct.

Bring two ideas together.

Choose Connect another idea, then select a second node. RationalGrid creates a synthesis while keeping both original paths attached.

Step 5 · Keep

Build a trail back to useful ideas.

Save whole ideas or exact passages as you read. Your profile keeps them together so you can return and see the original text.

Bookmark an idea

Select the bookmark beside an idea. It appears with that grid in your saved thinking, where you can jump back to it.

Highlight a passage

Select text and choose Save as a highlight. The quote, source, and any note are stored under Quotes and notes on your profile.

Export the grid

Under Settings → Export, download the grid for your notes, as an image to share, or as data for other tools.

Bookmarks and highlights stay private. They do not appear on your public profile.

A large RationalGrid map with many connected branches
The structure stays clear as the grid grows.

From map to presentation

Guide people through what you found.

A large grid can hold every branch. A presentation lets you choose the path your audience sees first.

  1. 01

    Choose

    Select Present, then click the nodes you want to show.

  2. 02

    Order

    Drag the selected nodes into a clear sequence.

  3. 03

    Share

    Present the path live or send its presentation link.

Step 6 · Share

Work together live, then choose what becomes public.

A grid is a shared workspace, not a finished image. Send its link so other people can see what came before and add to it with you.

Edit and talk together live

Share an editable link so people can branch and comment in the same grid. See who is viewing and use live chat to coordinate. Chat is temporary; add a comment when an idea should remain in the grid.

Choose public or private

Under Settings → Collaboration, set Visibility to Public or Private. Anyone can open a public grid. Send a private link only to people you trust.

Publish through your profile

Your public profile shows your bio and public grids. Share it as a growing record of your work. Private grids and saved ideas remain visible only to you.

See who added what

Open Settings → Activity to see who added each question, branch, comment, or check. This helps teachers and teams see each person's work.

Follow future updates

Select Follow at the top of a public grid. New changes appear in Activity. Use the Following tab to manage the grids and people you follow.

Share or question exact text

Select a word or passage to save it with its own link. You can also ask about an unfamiliar word, book, or topic. The full passage stays attached to your question.

Share the whole grid or link directly to the current idea. Use Read or Present when you want to guide someone through a path.

Start now

Ask one question. Follow the next useful branch.

Learn the other tools as you go.

Create a grid About RationalGrid