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Getting started with Copilot

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This topic explains how to get started using Copilot to create data pipelines using natural language in the Data Productivity Cloud. Experiment with different prompt styles, explore diverse use cases, and unleash the full potential of Copilot to streamline your data workflows, increasing the value of your data.

Before you begin: If you're a new user to the Data Productivity Cloud and Designer, read our Designer Overview.

Initiating Copilot

  1. Log in to the Matillion Hub.
  2. Click ☰ → Designer.
  3. Select your project or create a new project.
  4. Select your branch or create a new branch.
  5. In the Designer UI, select your pipeline or create a new pipeline.
  6. Click Copilot.

You'll be greeted by Copilot and offered a selection of tips for building effective data pipelines.

You'll also find a link to Matillion's privacy policy, where you can learn how Matillion protects the privacy and security of your data.

When you select a component in your pipeline, you'll receive feedback from Copilot. For example, if you select a Fixed Flow component, Copilot will feed back Selected: Fixed Flow above the prompt input textbox. If you rename your components—for example, if you renamed "Fixed Flow" to "Sample test data", Copilot will return Selected: Sample test data.

The prompt textbox

The textbox at the bottom of the Copilot panel is where you can talk to Copilot by typing natural language prompts. Click the Send button or press ENTER to send your prompt. Once you send a prompt, the Copilot panel focuses on your conversation with Copilot, hiding the tips and other extra information.

Copilot responds in real time to your prompts. You'll see that Copilot's responses highlight which components it has used, denoting both the name of the component and the type of component used. The chat history is kept while you work in the Designer, so you can review Copilot's earlier responses even if you provide it with multiple prompts.

If you switch project or close your browser, your Copilot chat history is wiped.

Copilot response

Manually editing components

You can customize the values of each parameter after Copilot has created your initial pipeline. To do this, click on the component you'd like to edit, and the properties panel will open on the right-hand side of the user interface. Click into the individual parameter you'd like to edit, and specify the value.

This feature allows for greater flexibility and fine-tuning of your automation solutions, enabling you to tailor parameters to specific requirements even after the initial pipeline creation.

Click the validate button once you have finished customizing your pipeline to ensure all components are configured correctly. Validating before runtime helps to avoid errors.

Properties panel

Give us your feedback

Let us know if Copilot is making you more data productive by providing feedback using the thumbs up or thumbs down buttons and telling us more about your Copilot experience.

Copilot feedback mechanism

Writing effective prompts

Copilot's answers depend on how clear and specific your prompts are. To get the most out of it, follow these tips:

  • Be specific: Tell Copilot exactly what you want it to do so it understands your needs.
  • Provide context: If needed, provide background information to help Copilot generate better answers.
  • Experiment: Explore different phrasings and styles to discover the most effective way to communicate with Copilot.

Read Copilot usage examples for a closer look at ways you can use Copilot to make your data more effective.

Interacting with Copilot

When using Copilot, consider the following techniques:

Ask questions

You can ask Copilot questions that will assist you in building your Transformation pipeline:

  • Get data from the 'customer_orders' table and only show orders over $100.
  • Calculate how many views there were on a documentation website, grouped by City, Country, Time, and Platform, throughout 2023.

Note

Selecting a component from the canvas helps provide Copilot with context for where you want to start building.

Ask follow-up questions

You can keep talking to Copilot to get more details or ask for different things based on its first answer:

  • Find all the records in the 'employee_performance' table where the rating is 'excellent'.
  • Aggregate daily website traffic data from the 'website_analytics' table to analyze trends over the past month.

Start simple

  • Write plain sentences, as though you were talking to a colleague or friend.
  • Try using simple requests to begin with, and increase the complexity of your requests as you become accustomed to how Copilot responds.