> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developers.epiqai.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developers.epiqai.com/how-it-works/data-flow.md).

# Data flow

Claude walks through your Epiq AI data like a funnel. You don't need to memorize any of this — Claude figures out the steps — but it helps to know the shape:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Account

Claude uses your current Epiq AI account by default. If you belong to more than one, you can tell it which to use.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Project

Claude finds the right project (case).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Collection (optional)

Narrows to a specific set of documents (a production, an upload, a data source).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Search

Claude searches the documents or looks for people/organizations, and shows you the evidence.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Return

Claude responds with an answer to your prompt
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Example flow

When you ask:

"In the Acme matter, what do the documents say about the September shipment?"

Claude will:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Account

Select your Epiq AI account, based on your login.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Project

Identify the Acme project.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Collection (optional)

Optionally narrow down to relevant collections.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Search

Run a document search about the September shipment.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Return

Respond with a summarized answer and supporting document excerpts.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://developers.epiqai.com/how-it-works/data-flow.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.