# Interactive views

Four tools that open a small Soontra view inside the chat, in apps that support them.

Some AI apps can show a tool’s result as a live view instead of text (the MCP Apps extension). Soontra has four. In an app without that support, the same tools still return their data as JSON.

| Tool | What the view shows |
| --- | --- |
| `soontra_files_showVideo` | A player for a video or audio file, starting at a given second, with its transcript beside it. |
| `soontra_search_show` | Search results as a grid of thumbnails. Choosing one plays it at the moment that matched. |
| `soontra_projects_show` | A project card with its details and subtasks. Subtasks can be ticked off when the connection has `write`. |
| `soontra_posts_show` | A post as it would look on its network, with its media. |

## Media needs the download scope

Playing a file or showing a thumbnail means handing the app a link to that file, which is what the `download` scope permits. Without it the video view shows a card that opens the file in Soontra instead, and thumbnails are left out.

> **Tip:** When connecting a chat app, tick **Download files** under Advanced options if you want media in the chat. No access level includes it.

## Tools the views call

`soontra_files_getPlayback` and `soontra_files_getThumbnails` exist for the views themselves and are hidden from the model. Their links last 15 minutes. Both are in the [Files reference](https://soontra.com/docs/tools/files).