What to ask Astra

Create or open a project. Gather your rough dimensions, a sketch or reference plan, and a short list of things that must stay fixed. Say when a measurement is approximate.

Copy a prompt, replace the bracketed examples with your details, and paste it into Astra’s chat in your project. Send one step at a time and check the result before continuing.

Start with the outcome and the facts you already know. Ask for questions before drawing if key dimensions are missing.

I want to plan a [24 by 32 foot detached workshop] in [city, state]. It needs [two workbenches, storage, and a wide entry]. Use [feet and inches]. The [exterior footprint and entry location] must stay fixed. First summarize what you understand and ask me the three most important missing questions. Do not fill in unknown measurements as facts.

What to check: Check the summary before going further: project type, units, dimensions, and the parts you want to preserve.

A bounded first pass is easier to evaluate than an entire finished plan set.

Using the brief we agreed on, draw the first floor plan with exterior walls, doors, windows, room labels, and overall dimensions. Keep it simple so we can review the layout. List the assumptions you made and what is still missing when you finish.

What to check: Look at the drawing. Compare the overall size, openings, room arrangement and dimensions with your brief.

Name the object, the change, and what should remain unchanged. Use a sheet name or nearby label when there are several similar objects.

On [the workshop floor plan], move [the east-wall entry door] [3 feet toward the north corner]. Keep the exterior footprint, windows, and other doors unchanged. Update the affected dimensions and tell me exactly what you changed.

What to check: Verify both the requested edit and the objects that should have stayed fixed.

When a result is wrong, describe the visible mismatch instead of repeating the same broad request.

The drawing shows [the door opening into the workbench], but I need [a clear path from the entry to the center aisle]. Inspect the current layout, explain the conflict, and suggest two small fixes before changing anything.

What to check: Choose the fix that matches how you will use the space; then ask Astra to apply that option.

Before exporting, ask: Review this plan set for missing dimensions, unreadable labels, inconsistent sheet references, and unresolved assumptions. Tell me which items you can fix and which need information from me. Then inspect Print preview yourself. A completed AI request is not the same as a verified or permit-ready design.