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Charlie is the AI agent inside Shovels Online, where the button is labelled Agent. Ask questions about permit data in plain English and get answers back in the app — no filters, no downloads, no code required. Charlie queries the full Shovels dataset. Charlie is part of Shovels Online rather than a separate tool, so any account with an active plan can start asking. There is no separate signup.

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What Charlie Can Do

Charlie answers complex, natural-language questions that would otherwise take several filter selections to assemble by hand. Example questions:
  • “Find all solar permits filed in Connecticut by Freedom Forever in the last 12 months”
  • “Which contractors pulled the most HVAC permits in Austin, TX last year?”
  • “How many ADU permits were issued in Los Angeles County in 2024?”
  • “Show me roofing contractors in Phoenix with more than 50 permits filed”
  • “What’s the average job value for new construction permits in Denver?”

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When to Use Charlie

Charlie and the filter-based search answer different kinds of questions. Ask Charlie when:
  • You have a specific research question (contractor, geography, permit type)
  • You want to verify data before pulling a full export
  • You’re not sure which filters apply
  • You want to explore the data conversationally
For bulk exports or recurring data pulls, the search and download tools in Shovels Online or the API will serve you better.

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Access and Limits

Charlie is included on every plan, with usage limits that scale with your plan. If you reach a limit, Charlie will let you know.

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Getting Started

Charlie is available in Shovels Online once you sign in with your Shovels account. Look for the Agent button above your search results.