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

# AI Agents

> Create and configure AI voice agents in SmartAlex. Build from a website URL in under 60 seconds, fine-tune voice, personality, and tools, or build multi-agent squads with Squad Architect.

## What is an AI Agent?

An AI Agent is your virtual receptionist, sales rep, or customer service voice. Each agent has its own name, voice, personality, knowledge base, tools, and settings. Agents handle inbound calls and can also make outbound calls through campaigns.

## Anatomy of an agent

Every agent is built from five parts. You configure each one, then the agent puts them to work on live calls.

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TB
    Caller(["Caller on the phone"]) --> Agent
    subgraph Agent["AI Agent"]
      direction LR
      Id["Identity<br/>name, first message"]
      Voice["Voice<br/>accent, language"]
      KB["Knowledge base<br/>docs, website"]
      Tools["Tools<br/>transfer, bookings, payments"]
      Num["Phone number"]
    end
    Agent --> Out(["Answers, qualifies, books, transfers"])
```

## How to create an agent

When you click **Create Agent**, you choose between two creation paths.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Standard">
    **Recommended.** Paste your website URL, we crawl it and auto-build an agent trained on your business in under 60 seconds. No configuration needed.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Advanced">
    Step-by-step wizard with full control over voice, personality, identity, objectives, tools, and detailed settings.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

For multi-agent setups (e.g. a router + specialists), use **Squad Architect** from the agent studio, see [Squads](/essentials/squads).

## Configuration

After an agent is created you can refine every aspect from the agent's edit drawers.

### Identity

* **Name**, what callers will hear and how the agent appears in your dashboard
* **Direction**, inbound, outbound, or both
* **First message**, what the agent says when a call connects
* **Personality / system prompt**, the rules and tone the agent follows

### Voice

Pick from a wide library of natural voices spanning multiple languages and accents. Each voice can be previewed before you save.

### Knowledge base

Upload PDFs, docs, or paste text the agent can draw from during a call:

* Business information
* Service descriptions and pricing
* FAQs
* Product catalogues

See [Knowledge Base](/essentials/knowledge-base).

### Tools

During a call the agent can take real actions: book appointments, take payments, transfer to a human, search the web, send follow-ups, and reach into your own systems through connectors or custom HTTP tools.

See [Agent Tools & Connectors](/essentials/agent-tools) for the full catalog.

### Phone numbers

Assign one or more phone numbers to the agent. Inbound calls to those numbers route to this agent. See [Phone Numbers](/essentials/phone-numbers).

### Scheduling and availability

Set the hours the agent should answer live, and what to do outside those hours (voicemail, transfer, or fallback message).

## Quick Test

Use the **Quick Test** button on any agent to start an instant web call. This lets you have a real conversation with the agent, no phone needed, to validate behaviour before going live.

## Concurrent calls (slots)

Concurrency is how many calls one agent can handle at the same time. **Professional includes 5 concurrent call slots; Real Estate includes 10.** Buy additional slots at \$15/slot/month if you need more headroom.

## Agent status

Agents have a simple on/off state:

| Status         | Description                                                    |
| -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Setting up** | The agent is still being provisioned right after creation      |
| **Active**     | Live and ready to take calls                                   |
| **Inactive**   | Toggled off in the agent's identity drawer; won't answer calls |

## Best practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Writing effective prompts">
    Be specific about what your agent should do.

    **Good example:**

    ```
    You are Alex, a receptionist for Sunrise Dental.

    Your responsibilities:
    1. Greet callers warmly
    2. Answer questions about our services (cleanings, fillings, crowns)
    3. Collect: name, phone number, reason for visit
    4. Schedule appointments (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm only)
    5. For dental emergencies, transfer to Dr. Smith at +1 555-0100
    ```

    **Avoid vague instructions** like "Be helpful and answer questions."
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Choosing the right voice">
    Match the voice to your brand:

    | Business type         | Voice style         |
    | --------------------- | ------------------- |
    | Professional services | Calm, authoritative |
    | Retail / hospitality  | Friendly, upbeat    |
    | Healthcare            | Warm, reassuring    |
    | Tech / startups       | Modern, energetic   |
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Test before you go live">
    Always Quick Test before assigning a phone number:

    1. Click **Quick Test** on the agent
    2. Have a real conversation, including edge cases
    3. Try transfer scenarios and difficult questions
    4. Review the transcript afterwards
    5. Adjust the prompt and re-test
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>