Using NI Nigel AI in TestStand

Learn how to install, access, and configure NI Nigel AI in TestStand.

Installing Nigel

Nigel installs by default while installing TestStand. If you do not want to install Nigel, you can deselect NI Nigel AI for TestStand <Version Year> when setting up your TestStand installation.

Accessing Nigel

TestStand integrates Nigel into the TestStand Sequence Editor, making it easy to open a chat window with Nigel from the toolbar by selecting the Nigel AI nested diamonds icon.Nigel AI chat window interface.

After you open Nigel, you must log in to your ni.com user account and ensure it is associated with an active subscription license, multi-seat license, or Software Service Program for TestStand Development System.

Accessing Nigel Chat History

Nigel stores your conversation history so you can start new chats and return to previous ones at any time. You can access your older Nigel conversations using the Show chat history Three horizontal bars button next to the Create new chat Pencil in rectangle button. You can rename, delete, and pin chats in the chat history to organize your chats and allow easy access to important questions.

Attaching Files to Nigel Conversations

Nigel includes an Add File to Context button which lets you give Nigel additional context to better answer your queries.

Attaching files to your Nigel queries can give Nigel additional information to use for code generation. Attaching files can also provide Nigel additional context for general queries. Consider the following example use cases when developing Nigel queries:
  • Attaching a specifications file you want Nigel to import specifications from.
  • Attaching a text file containing detailed instructions for a task you want Nigel to execute.

Rate Limits

Access to Nigel is rate-limited per user. NI measures rates as Requests Per Week (RPW). Chats with Nigel share the same RPW limit between all NI desktop products. More complex queries can cause you to reach the weekly limit more quickly.

Disabling Nigel

You can disable Nigel features by editing or creating the following registry keys:
  • You can disable features that share user data with Nigel, such as Discuss with Nigel, by setting the Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\National Instruments\Nigel AI Advisor\DisableNigelSharing registry key (DWORD (32-bit), 0 or 1) to 1.
  • You can disable all Nigel features, including Discuss with Nigel, chat, and search, by setting the Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\National Instruments\Nigel AI Advisor\DisableNigel registry key (DWORD (32-bit), 0 or 1) to 1.