> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://botpress-charmenta-pr-718.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Assigning a value

export const GoodToKnow = ({children}) => {
  return <Callout icon="notebook-pen" color="#65d15a" iconType="regular">
      {children}
    </Callout>;
};

A newly-created variable is like an empty box—you need put something inside it before you can use it. This is called *assigning a value* to your variable.

Let's use our `firstName` variable to remember the user's first name. Go back to the Main Workflow and select your Autonomous Node. This opens its inspector:

<Frame>
  <img alt="Autonomous Node inspector" className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/botpress-charmenta-pr-718/X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/inspector.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa&q=85&s=3c2ff2bb7141eca2aeda80f8aeaa786e" width="1264" height="502" data-path="tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/inspector.png" />

  <img alt="Autonomous Node inspector" className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/botpress-charmenta-pr-718/X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/inspector-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa&q=85&s=038085f53168b3c1ed5182c437dc9fa5" width="1264" height="502" data-path="tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/inspector-dark.png" />
</Frame>

## Giving access to variables

By default, the Autonomous Node can't check what's in a variable or assign it a different value.

Let's give it access. Select **+ Add variable(s)**, then select `workflow.firstName`. Then, check **Allow write access**, so your bot has permission to modify the variable.

<Frame>
  <img alt="Variable access" className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/botpress-charmenta-pr-718/X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-access.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa&q=85&s=ae8d963e69ff8b771efb8da64d156121" width="1264" height="152" data-path="tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-access.png" />

  <img alt="Variable access" className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/botpress-charmenta-pr-718/X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-access-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa&q=85&s=cc948455f466e873d758bf73a5342369" width="1264" height="152" data-path="tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-access-dark.png" />
</Frame>

## Modifying your prompt

Next, modify the prompt so your bot knows how to work with the variable. Erase everything in the **Instructions** field, then paste the following:

```txt wrap theme={"theme":{"light":"light-plus","dark":"dark-plus"}}
You are Teddy 🐶, the customer support bot for Teddy's Pet Shop.

If the `firstName` variable has a value, use it to address the user by name. If not, prompt the user to enter their name, then assign it to `firstName`.
```

Now, switch back to the Emulator and start a conversation with your bot:

<Frame>
  <img alt="Variable test" className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/botpress-charmenta-pr-718/X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-test.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa&q=85&s=e486aa92c2e91b8233591b2e672abb47" width="1264" height="804" data-path="tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-test.png" />

  <img alt="Variable test" className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/botpress-charmenta-pr-718/X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-test-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa&q=85&s=da7407fafb7a9b526f9e7857d055aea4" width="1264" height="804" data-path="tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-test-dark.png" />
</Frame>

Nice! Our modified prompt worked. If you look back at the Variables section, you can see that the value updated:

<Frame>
  <img alt="New value" className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/botpress-charmenta-pr-718/X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/new-value.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa&q=85&s=03b89f561bcf762ef7558369cc0570e4" width="1198" height="286" data-path="tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/new-value.png" />

  <img alt="New value" className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/botpress-charmenta-pr-718/X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/new-value-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X1f5DsNjbZG6Cxoa&q=85&s=e3b3954864035bd782b8874a6dadd70d" width="1198" height="286" data-path="tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/new-value-dark.png" />
</Frame>
