# References & @ mentions

Choose a file, attach it, and point to it directly in your prompt.

Source: https://www.creativly.ai/docs/sessions/references

### Open Ref

Choose **Upload file…** for a new file, or **Select from assets…** to reuse project media.

![The Ref menu offers Upload file and Select from assets in the Prompt Bar.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/references-add-menu-95ade044a5a3c901.webp)

### Choose the asset

Select the media you need, then choose **Select Assets**. For an upload, wait for scanning to finish.

![Project asset picker with a blue coffee-cup reference checked, 1 selected, and the Select Assets button ready.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/references-asset-picker-f817baf1ec690017.webp)

### Type @ to mention it

The file now has a chip below your prompt. Type `@` where you want to refer to it, then choose the matching item.

![Typing @ in the real Prompt Bar opens Insert Reference with the attached Image1 and options to add another asset.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/references-mention-menu-d07276538bd56255.webp)

### Tell the model what to keep or change

The inline chip points to the actual attachment. Be specific about its job.

![An inline Image1 chip asking to preserve the blue cup and change the background to warm ivory, with Nano Banana 2 and Count 1 selected.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/references-inline-chip-ef3d2777a733dde8.webp)

## More than one reference

Use each chip deliberately: the product from **@Image1**, the lighting from **@Image2**. Supported models can also use **@Video1** or audio references.

Typing a chip's name without attaching a file does not add that file.

[See a real two-image edit →](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/sessions/edit-image-with-references)

Looking for an older input? [Browse and search your project assets →](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/assets/overview)

## Reference, frame, or edit source?

Click an attached chip to see the roles available for your selected model.

* **General Reference** guides appearance or content.
* **First Frame / Last Frame** guide the start and end of a video.
* **Reference Video** guides a new generation; **Edit Source** is the clip to change.

### If an upload is scanning, blocked, or fails

**Scanning…** means the file is still being checked. Wait for it to become a normal reference chip before generating.

If the chip says **Blocked** or **Upload failed**, read the error message. Remove that chip with **×** before continuing—an unsuccessful reference keeps Generate disabled.

For a blocked file, choose a different suitable reference. For an upload error, check the file and connection, then try uploading again. Removing the chip does not delete an accepted asset from your project.

[First & last frames](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/sessions/frames)Set the image's role, not just its name.
[Video generation & editing](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/sessions/video)Choose the right input for the job.

Open in Creativly: [Image ↗](https://www.creativly.ai/app/image) · [Video ↗](https://www.creativly.ai/app/video)