Configuring the AI Assistant

What the AI Assistant Does

Quizzibility includes an optional AI assistant that students can use while working on code assignments. It acts as a tutor — answering questions about error messages, explaining concepts, and giving hints — without simply handing out solutions. The assistant lives in a sidebar panel next to the code editor.

Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)

The AI assistant uses a large language model under the hood, and API calls cost money. Quizzibility uses a Bring Your Own Key model: you (or your institution) provide an API key from a supported provider (such as OpenAI or Anthropic). This keeps costs transparent and lets you choose which model to use. Students never see or need the key — it is stored securely and used on their behalf.

Three-Tier Configuration

AI settings are configured at three levels, each overriding the one above:

1. Platform level — A site administrator can set default model, rate limits, and system prompts that apply everywhere.
2. Course level — You can override the defaults for your course. For example, you might use a different model or tighten rate limits for an intro course where you want students to struggle more before asking the AI.
3. Student level — Individual students can be granted or restricted access. This is useful for accommodations or academic integrity cases.

Each level inherits from the one above unless explicitly overridden, so you only need to configure the settings you want to change.

Guardrails via System Prompts

The most important configuration is the system prompt — the hidden instruction that tells the AI how to behave. Quizzibility ships with a default prompt that instructs the model to act as a Socratic tutor: ask guiding questions, point out where an error might be, but never write complete solutions. You can customize this prompt per course to match your pedagogical goals. For instance, you might allow more direct help on homework but restrict it during exams.

Rate Limits

You can set a maximum number of AI requests per student per hour (or per assignment). This prevents students from using the assistant as a crutch and encourages them to think before asking. Rate limit settings are available at both the platform and course levels.

When to Use It

The AI assistant is most valuable for code assignments where students get stuck on syntax errors or conceptual misunderstandings. It is less useful for multiple-choice quizzes or written reflections. Enable it selectively for the assignments where guided help adds pedagogical value.