---
title: "Configure a pipeline step with AI"
slug: "configure-a-pipeline-step-with-ai"
updated: 2026-08-24T17:45:31Z
published: 2026-08-25T13:00:03Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/configure-a-pipeline-step-with-ai"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configure a pipeline step with AI

Use Quickbase AI to fill in the details of a pipeline step. Populate fields, complete field mappings, and generate Jinja expressions without writing everything by hand.

## Use AI to populate fields in a step

Use the AI icon directly on the step to populate fields. When you select the button, Quickbase AI attempts to populate all fields based on information you've already entered, including:

- Pipeline name
- Description
- Step name
- Notes
- Overall structure

To populate a step with AI:

1. Go to the pipeline you're editing, and open the Pipelines Designer.
2. Select the step you would like to populate.
3. If necessary, connect the channel to the right account.
4. Select the AI icon to populate fields in the step. ![Pipeline step with the AI icon to populate fields](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/35971064676884.png)

It may take a few moments for the fields to populate.

Limitations to AI suggestions:

- Cannot populate fields for connections
- Cannot populate filters
- Will not overwrite already populated fields

## Use AI suggestions to complete field mappings

When configuring a step in a pipeline, you set up field mappings defining what the step does.

When you add field mappings, you can review and use AI suggestions for references and free text. The Quickbase AI suggestions are based on things like the pipeline name, step names, step notes, field names, and reference names. The more descriptive your pipeline is, the better the quality of the suggestions.

To use AI suggestions:

1. Edit the details of a step.
2. Select a field.
3. Select the **Suggestions** tab. ![Suggestions tab in a pipeline step field](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/32237782141844.png)
4. Select a suggestion. This adds the suggestion to the field you're mapping.

Limitations to AI suggestions:

- Cannot suggest connections
- Cannot suggest filters

## Use AI to generate Jinja expressions

Use Quickbase AI to generate Jinja expressions for specific fields in a pipeline step. Instead of writing Jinja syntax manually, describe what you need and refine the result through chat.

To generate a Jinja expression with AI:

1. Add a step or open an existing step.
2. Select the field you want to use a Jinja expression for.
3. Select **Custom Jinja** from the field dropdown. If your field is in code mode, select the expand icon, then navigate to the **Custom Jinja** tab.
4. In the **What do you need help with?** field, describe what the expression should do. For example: *Calculate the first working day of the month after the end date in step B.*
5. Select **Send** or press **Enter**. Quickbase AI generates a Jinja expression and displays it in the editor.
6. To refine the result, send additional messages describing the changes you want. Each new message updates the expression.
7. Select **Apply changes** to add the expression to the field. To discard the expression and keep the field unchanged, select **Cancel**.

![Custom Jinja code editor showing a generated expression](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/image(92).png)

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> If the field already has a value when you open Code mode, Quickbase AI uses it as a starting point for your first instruction. You can make additional manual edits if needed.

Every message you send is kept in the conversation history while Code mode is open. To revert to an earlier suggestion, select it from the conversation history—the selected version becomes the current version in the pop-up.