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

# Starting a Session

> How to select a scenario and begin your courtroom simulation

# Starting a Session

This guide walks you through the process of starting a new CaseSim session, from scenario selection through the opening of examination.

## Accessing CaseSim

Navigate to CaseSim from the dashboard:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Dashboard">
    Sign in to LitigationLabs. You arrive at the dashboard home panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to CaseSim">
    Click **CaseSim** in the sidebar navigation. The CaseSim interface loads with the scenario panel visible.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Browsing Scenarios

The scenario panel displays available cases for practice.

### Scenario Cards

Each scenario appears as a card showing:

| Element           | Description                                   |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Title**         | Case name (e.g., "Smith v. Acme Corp")        |
| **Description**   | Brief summary of the dispute                  |
| **Witness count** | Number of witnesses available                 |
| **Difficulty**    | Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced           |
| **Tags**          | Categories (contract, tort, employment, etc.) |

### Filtering Scenarios

Use filters to find appropriate scenarios:

* **By difficulty**: Filter for your experience level
* **By category**: Focus on specific practice areas
* **By favorites**: Access starred scenarios
* **By recent**: Return to previously attempted cases

### Scenario Details

Click a scenario card to view full details:

* **Case background**: The facts giving rise to the dispute
* **Parties**: Plaintiff and defendant identities
* **Witnesses**: List of available witnesses with brief descriptions
* **Evidence**: Exhibits available during examination
* **Elicit summary**: Number and categories of key facts to extract

## Selecting Your Side

After choosing a scenario, select which party you represent:

### Side Selection Modal

The modal presents your choice:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Plaintiff" icon="scale-balanced">
    Represent the party bringing the lawsuit. You call witnesses first during the case-in-chief.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Defendant" icon="shield">
    Represent the defending party. You cross-examine plaintiff's witnesses before presenting your case.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Implications of Side Selection

Your choice affects the simulation:

| Aspect              | Plaintiff                   | Defendant                   |
| ------------------- | --------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Case order**      | Present case first          | Present case second         |
| **Your witnesses**  | Plaintiff-aligned witnesses | Defendant-aligned witnesses |
| **OCA represents**  | Defendant                   | Plaintiff                   |
| **Burden of proof** | Generally bears burden      | Generally defends           |

### Strategic Considerations

Choose based on your learning objectives:

* **Practice direct examination**: Choose the side with more witnesses
* **Practice cross-examination**: Choose the opposite side
* **Build specific skills**: Review witness profiles to identify learning opportunities

## Choosing a Case Folder

Organize your session within your case structure:

### Folder Selection

The folder picker modal allows you to:

* **Select existing folder**: Place the session in an organized location
* **Create new folder**: Establish a new category for this case type
* **Use default**: Place in the default "Uncategorized" folder

### Folder Organization

Good folder structure supports your practice:

```
My Cases/
├── Contract Disputes/
│   ├── Smith v. Acme Corp
│   └── Johnson v. XYZ Inc
├── Employment Law/
│   └── Williams v. TechStart
└── Personal Injury/
    └── Davis v. City Transit
```

## Session Initialization

After selections are complete, the session initializes:

### Loading Process

<Steps>
  <Step title="Session Creation">
    The system creates your session record with selected parameters.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Agent Initialization">
    AI agents are configured for the scenario and your role.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Context Loading">
    Case materials and witness profiles are loaded into agent context.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Opening Preparation">
    The judge prepares opening instructions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Opening Sequence

Once initialized, the session begins:

1. **Judge's opening**: The judge delivers preliminary instructions
2. **Witness takes stand**: The first witness is called
3. **Examination begins**: You may start questioning

## Session Parameters

Each session stores key parameters:

| Parameter         | Source         | Purpose                                   |
| ----------------- | -------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Scenario ID**   | Your selection | Defines case facts and witnesses          |
| **Player side**   | Your selection | Determines your role and OCA's role       |
| **Folder ID**     | Your selection | Organizes session in your case structure  |
| **Start time**    | System         | Tracks session duration                   |
| **Initial phase** | System         | Sets starting point (pretrial or opening) |

## Resuming Previous Sessions

Instead of starting new, you can resume existing sessions:

### From Dashboard

* **Recent sessions**: Click any session card on the home panel
* **Case manager**: Navigate to the folder containing your session
* **Search**: Find sessions by scenario name or date

### Session State

Resumed sessions restore:

* Complete transcript history
* Current phase and witness
* Score state and elicit progress
* Witness credibility states

### Multiple Attempts

You can have multiple sessions of the same scenario:

* Different sides for comparison
* Repeated attempts to improve scores
* Parallel experiments with different strategies

## Quick Start Options

For rapid practice, use these shortcuts:

### Continue Last Session

If you have an active session:

* Dashboard shows "Continue" option
* One click resumes where you left off

### Favorite Scenarios

Star scenarios you practice frequently:

* Quick access from favorites filter
* Reduces browsing time

### Recent Scenarios

The system tracks your recent activity:

* Recently attempted scenarios surface first
* Quick return to familiar cases

## Pre-Examination Preparation

Before your first question, prepare effectively:

### Review the Witness

Check the witness toolbar:

* Witness name and role
* Background summary
* Alignment (your witness or opposing)

### Identify Your Goals

Review elicits for this witness:

* What facts must you establish?
* What order makes sense?
* What resistance do you expect?

### Plan Your Opening

Consider your first questions:

* Establish basic credentials
* Build rapport (for your witnesses)
* Set up foundation for key testimony

<Note>
  Taking a moment to prepare before your first question significantly improves examination effectiveness. Review the witness profile and identify your top three objectives before proceeding.
</Note>

## Troubleshooting

### Session Fails to Load

If the session does not initialize:

1. Check your internet connection
2. Refresh the page
3. Try selecting the scenario again
4. Contact support if the issue persists

### Missing Scenarios

If expected scenarios are not visible:

* Check filter settings
* Verify your account access level
* Some scenarios require specific permissions

### Side Selection Not Appearing

If the modal does not display:

* The scenario may have only one available side
* Your account may have preset preferences
* Check scenario details for limitations