---
title: "Generate cards with AI"
description: "Create a NeuroCards deck from pasted notes, text files, Markdown, or PDFs, or add generated cards to an existing deck."
---

> Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.neurocards.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Generate cards with AI

NeuroCards can turn source material into question-and-answer cards. Generation is best used for a first draft: the source determines what the model can cover, and you should check every result before studying it.

## Before you start

You can combine pasted text with `.txt`, `.md`, and `.pdf` files in one generation. Each text file can contain up to 50,000 characters, and each PDF can be up to 6 MB.

The generation panel also shows your remaining weekly allowance when that information is available. If **Generate deck** or **Generate cards** is absent, AI generation is not currently enabled for your account.

## Create a new deck

1. **Open the generator**

   Go to **Library** and select **Generate deck**.
2. **Add your material**

   Paste notes into the text area, choose files, or drag supported files into the panel. You can use both pasted text and files when the topic spans several sources.
3. **Describe the result**

   Add optional instructions of up to 500 characters. Use them to name the level, focus, or style you need—for example, “Focus on A-level definitions and short application questions.”
4. **Choose the size and location**

   Leave the card count on **Auto**, or ask for about 10, 20, 30, 50, or 100 cards. Optionally choose the folder that should contain the new deck.
5. **Generate the deck**

   Select **Generate**. The job runs on the server, so it continues if you close the tab. Reopen the generation panel later to resume viewing its progress.
6. **Review the result**

   When generation finishes, open the deck. NeuroCards reports the created deck, card count, and any generation notes before taking you to the result.

## Add cards to an existing deck

1. Open the deck's action menu.
2. Select **Generate cards**.
3. Add the new source material and instructions.
4. Choose the approximate number of additional cards.
5. Generate, then inspect the cards added to the deck.

This workflow appends cards; it does not replace the cards already in the deck.

## Write useful instructions

Keep instructions specific enough to change the output. Useful requests include:

- the expected course or difficulty level;
- the topics to prioritise or ignore;
- whether answers should be brief or explanatory;
- a request for a mix of recall and application questions.

Avoid asking the generator to invent facts that are not in your source. If a detail matters, include it in the supplied material.

## Check cards before studying

> **Caution**
>
> AI-generated cards can contain mistakes, miss context, or phrase an ambiguous question. Verify them against your original material before relying on them.

For each card, check that the question has one clear interpretation, the answer is correct on its own, and the card tests one manageable idea. Split overloaded cards and remove duplicates. A smaller, checked deck is more useful than a large unreviewed one.

If a generation fails, keep your source open, check the file size and weekly allowance shown in the panel, then try again. For a very large topic, generating several focused decks often produces clearer cards.

Next, [organise the new deck](/guides/organise-your-library) or [start a study session](/guides/study-and-ratings).

Source: https://docs.neurocards.net/guides/ai-generation/index.mdx