> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://botpress.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Assigning a value

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:

![Autonomous Node inspector](https://mintcdn.com/botpress/kQTLjOfDaoBQlj_Z/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/inspector.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=kQTLjOfDaoBQlj_Z\&q=85\&s=f178e774be8a72c3824989c9f031534a)

## 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.

![Variable access](https://mintcdn.com/botpress/77RdG9PeqgICIbbZ/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-access.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=77RdG9PeqgICIbbZ\&q=85\&s=fbfd9fc395cc6db4de2a2a0e7d5c41b6)

## 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:

![Variable test](https://mintcdn.com/botpress/77RdG9PeqgICIbbZ/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-test.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=77RdG9PeqgICIbbZ\&q=85\&s=826e70e74c348b83cd4dbafd94ceaff0)

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

![New value](https://mintcdn.com/botpress/kQTLjOfDaoBQlj_Z/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/new-value.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=kQTLjOfDaoBQlj_Z\&q=85\&s=9e0a04b3afe3ad0f1bab8c7f165777bf)


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