First Steps

Start with the Getting Started guide if you have not set up COVAS:NEXT yet. Once you are ready, start the AI Assistant, launch Elite Dangerous, and try talking to your assistant in-game.

You can ask questions about the game, request help with your ship, or simply have a conversation. The settings below let you make the experience your own.

Give your assistant a personality

In the Character settings, describe how you would like your assistant to speak and behave. For example, mention a cat aboard your ship if you would like your assistant to bring it up in conversation. Find more ideas on our Discord server.

Talk to your assistant

Use your chosen push-to-talk button or voice activation to speak. If you use voice activation, headphones help prevent the assistant from hearing its own replies.

Choose when it speaks and what it can do

In Reactions, choose which in-game events your assistant should comment on. Turn off reactions you would rather not hear. See the Reactions guide for more options.

In Actions, review the things your assistant can do in-game. The app will point out anything that needs a control assigned. You can turn off actions you do not want to use. See the Actions guide for details.

Personalize the appearance

You can give your assistant an avatar and choose what appears in the overlay. Explore the appearance settings to find a look that suits you.

Explore more features

Browse Plugins if you want to add more voices or other capabilities later. You can start using COVAS:NEXT without configuring plugins.

Stay up to date

The app will let you know when a new version is available. Download the update for your platform and install it as you normally would; your settings and conversations will carry over.