# Models

A model is the inventory Eraser builds from a [data source](/data-sources) – cloud resources, CMDB configuration items, virtual machines, network devices or architecture components – with their fields and connections. Browse it in Eraser, and use it in AI chat to create diagrams and documents from what you actually run.

## How models are built

A data source's first scan builds a model named after it, and every **Rescan** updates it. **New Model** opens **Settings → Data Sources** to connect one.

<Figure src="/assets/models-list.png" alt="The Models page, listing four models with their data source, record count and last sync" border />

## Browsing

Open **Models** in the sidebar (or press `M`) and pick a model. Narrow it with **Record types** and **Search records**, and sort or filter from any column's menu. Click a record to see its fields and connections.

<Figure src="/assets/models-records.png" alt="A model's records: AWS resources with their type, account and region, beside the record types to filter by" border />

## Using a model in AI chat

In an empty prompt, press `/`, choose **Models**, and pick one – up to five per request. AI chat uses it to create and edit diagrams and documents, such as [cloud diagrams](/cloud-diagrams), dependency maps and inventories, and [Verify](/diagram-verification) checks diagrams against it. A model stays attached for the rest of the chat and costs no extra credits.

<Figure src="/assets/models-ai-chat-menu.png" alt="The AI chat reference menu open at Models, listing four models" width="300px" border />

## Organization models

Data sources connected in the [Organization Dashboard](/organizations) build models that every team in the organization can use, read-only. They're marked **ORG**.

## Archiving and deleting

**Archive** removes a model from AI chat, and **Restore** brings it back. An archived model can be deleted with **Permanently Delete** – its data source stays connected, but rescanning won't rebuild the model.

Team members (not guests) can archive and delete a team's models. Only organization admins can change organization models.