Getting Started with LibreChat

Questions

  • What is LibreChat and what can I use it for?
  • Who is eligible to access LibreChat at Bowdoin?
  • How do I log in to LibreChat for the first time?
  • What should I expect the first time I use LibreChat?
  • What does the LibreChat interface look like?
  • How do I access LibreChat from the Bowdoin login portal?
  • Can I use LibreChat on a personal device?

Environment

This article applies to current Bowdoin College faculty, staff, and students who have been granted access to LibreChat. LibreChat is Bowdoin's AI chat platform, operated and managed by Information Technology. It is available through any modern web browser on Bowdoin-managed or personal devices, on campus and off campus. Sign-in requires your Bowdoin username, password, and multi-factor authentication.

  • Who: All current Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students with LibreChat access
  • What: LibreChat — accessible at librechat.bowdoin.edu or through the Bowdoin login portal
  • Requirement: Bowdoin username, password, and MFA device
Note for students: You must first complete the Generative AI Ethics course in Canvas before LibreChat access is activated for your account. Check your Canvas dashboard for this course if you cannot log in. Faculty and staff do not have this prerequisite.
Academic integrity: Check your course syllabus or ask your instructor about what AI use is or is not permitted in your classes before using LibreChat for coursework.

Resolution

Sign in to LibreChat

LibreChat can be accessed in two ways:

Option 1 — Direct login

  1. Open a supported web browser and go to librechat.bowdoin.edu.
  2. Click Login with Bowdoin SSO.
    Login screen with a button outlined in orange labeled Login with Bowdoin SSO under the heading Welcome back.
  3. Sign in with your Bowdoin username and password, then complete multi-factor authentication when prompted.
    MFA login window displayed when logging into LibreChat directly using Bowdoin SSO.

Option 2 — Via the Bowdoin login portal

  1. Go to login.bowdoin.edu.
  2. Select the LibreChat tile.
    LibreChat tile at login.bowdoin.edu
  3. Sign in with your Bowdoin credentials and complete MFA if prompted.

First-time login — accept Terms of Service

The first time you log in to LibreChat you will be prompted to accept the Terms of Service. Review the terms and click I accept to continue.

Terms of Service dialog with Acceptance of Terms text, a link to guidelines, and buttons for I do not accept and I accept.

LibreChat interface overview

Once signed in, the LibreChat window is divided into three main sections:

  • Left panel — Chat history and user settings
  • Centre — Main chat interface and model selection
  • Right panel — Customisation options (parameters, prompts, files, agents)

See Choosing an AI model in LibreChat and Prompting in LibreChat in the Related Articles section to get started with your first conversation.

Video walkthrough

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
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Related Articles (10)

Instructions for accessing LibreChat, Bowdoin's web-based AI chat tool that provides access to multiple AI models including OpenAI GPT and Anthropic Claude. Covers how to sign in, choose a model, and use the tool safely. Applies to all Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff.
Explains the model parameters available in LibreChat — including temperature, Top P, max tokens, and reasoning effort — how to adjust them before sending a prompt, and how to save preferred settings as a Preset. Applies to all Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students using LibreChat
Guidance on choosing the right AI model or Agent in LibreChat, including a comparison table of available model groups (OpenAI GPT, Anthropic Claude, Amazon Nova, Meta LLaMA, DeepSeek), when to use each, and how to access pre-configured Agents such as the Image Generation Agent and Artifacts Agent.
Step-by-step instructions for creating a custom AI agent in LibreChat using the Agent Builder — covering naming, writing instructions, selecting a model, configuring capabilities (File Context, File Search, Artifacts), adding tools, and accessing the finished agent. Includes troubleshooting and tips for writing effective agent instructions.
An overview of the three main AI tools available to Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff — Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and LibreChat — including how to sign in to each and basic guidelines for responsible use.
Answers to frequently asked questions about LibreChat at Bowdoin, covering what it is, who can use it, data security, available AI models, features including prompt templates and custom instructions, and context window limits.
Instructions for managing LibreChat conversation history — including viewing, renaming, sharing, archiving, deleting individual or all chats, retrieving archived conversations, and downloading individual conversations in multiple file formats.
An introduction to prompting in LibreChat — how to write effective prompts, start a chat, use follow-up actions on responses (read aloud, copy, edit, fork, regenerate), and use the temporary chat feature for private or ephemeral sessions.
Instructions for Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff who are leaving the college on how to export and save their LibreChat conversations and retrieve archived chats before their Bowdoin account is deactivated.
Instructions for sharing LibreChat conversations with other Bowdoin users via a link, managing and deleting shared links, and exporting conversations in multiple file formats (.txt, .md, .json, .csv, .png).