Create your first agent
Set up an AI agent in four short steps. Nothing goes live until you're ready.
To start, open Agents in the sidebar and select Create Agent. If you've just signed up, the setup opens automatically.
The setup has four steps. You can go back to an earlier step at any time before you select Create agent.
Choose what kind of agent
Choose an agent type
- Prompt agent: follows one set of instructions you write. Choose this if you're unsure; it suits most businesses.
- Workflow agent: follows stages and branches you design, for conversations that should always go the same way (for example, a fixed booking or intake process).
How should people reach it?
Turn on Voice (phone and browser calls), Chat (website and messaging), or both.
Live channel (optional)
Pick where customers will reach the agent: Web widget, Phone, WhatsApp or Telegram. You can skip this now and add a channel later.
Some channels need voice or chat, so Telik turns those on for you. Phone needs Voice; WhatsApp and Telegram need Chat.
Test safely
Leave Keep it in test mode turned on. This gives you a private way to call or chat with your agent before customers can. Choose whether you want to test with Voice, Chat or both.
Select Continue.
Start from a template (optional)
Browse ready-made agents built for common jobs. Switch between Prompt templates and Workflow templates at the top.
- To use one, select it. Its instructions, model and voice are locked to that template version, and you only fill in the details it asks for, such as your business name.
- To write your own, select Continue without one.
Agent details
Fill in the basics:
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Agent name | A name you'll recognise, such as Front desk or Support agent. |
| Languages | The language your agent speaks. The first one you pick is its main language. |
| Direction | Inbound if customers contact the agent, Outbound if the agent contacts customers. |
| Timezone | Your business timezone, so the agent gets dates and times right. |
For a Prompt agent, write the Instructions: who the agent is, what it should help with, and what it should never do. Not sure where to start? Select Generate with AI, describe what the agent should do, and select Generate draft. Review the result and select Use this draft. See Write great instructions for tips.
If you picked a live channel, connect it here:
- Web widget: choose Chat only or Chat & voice.
- Phone: choose one of your phone numbers. If you don't have one yet, add it under Phone Numbers first.
- WhatsApp or Telegram: choose your connected account. If you haven't connected one yet, set it up under Integrations first.
Select Save & next.
Voice and models
Telik picks a sensible setup for you, so you can usually keep it as it is. Where pricing applies, each card shows what it costs.
- Transcriber: turns what the caller says into text (voice agents only).
- Model: the AI that decides what your agent says.
- Voice: how your agent sounds (voice agents only). Select the play button to hear a sample.
To change any of them, select the card, make your choice and select Done. Learn more in Choose a voice and model.
Select Create agent.
What happens next
Telik creates your agent and opens it in the agent editor. From there you can:
- Test your agent by calling or chatting with it.
- Add knowledge so it can answer questions about your business.
- Add it to your website when you're happy with it.
"Agent created; setup needs attention"
Occasionally your agent is created but a part of its setup, such as a channel, doesn't finish. Select Open agent and follow the message in the editor to complete it. You won't need to start again.