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Create and configure an agent

Create an agent, select its AI connection and model, and write instructions that make it useful for a business process.

This guide takes you from a blank agent to a configured assistant that is ready to test. Do these steps before you invite teammates to use the agent.

Before you begin

You need:

  • A project where the agent should live
  • Permission to create agents
  • Access to at least one AI connection from your administrator

If AI Connection is empty later, stop and ask an administrator to grant access to an AI connection.

Create the agent

  1. Open Agents

    Go to Agents under Build.

    Open Agents under Build, then start from New Agent.

  2. Click New Agent

    Click New Agent. Automate opens Select a Project with the note Agents are created within a project.

  3. Choose the project

    Select Project. If the project does not exist yet, use Create New Project first.

  4. Name the agent

    Fill Agent Name. Use a name that says what the agent does, such as Policy Q&A or Supplier Invoice Assistant.

    Select a project, enter an agent name, then create the agent.

  5. Create

    Click Create. Automate opens the new agent on the Build tab.

Open Configure

The Build tab is where you chat with the agent. Use Configure to decide how the agent behaves.

  1. Open Configure

    Open the agent and click Configure.

  2. Find the core panel

    The centre of the configuration map contains Core settings: Profile & instructions, AI settings, and Dynamic discovery.

    The Configure page groups core settings in the centre and capability areas around the map.

If you do not see Configure, you can probably chat with the agent but cannot edit it. Ask an administrator or project owner for edit access.

Choose AI connection and model

Open AI settings.

FieldWhat it means
AI ConnectionThe provider account the agent uses, such as your organisation's approved OpenAI, Azure, or other model provider
ModelThe specific model the agent uses for reasoning and replies
TemperatureHow creative or focused replies should be
Max Tool RoundtripsHow many tool-use loops the agent may try for one request
Message Lookback LimitHow much recent conversation history the model sees

For citizen developers, the safest default is to use the connection and model your administrator recommends for normal workspace agents. Only change models when you understand the trade-off between cost, speed, and quality.

  1. Open AI settings

    On Configure, open AI settings.

  2. Select AI Connection

    Choose AI Connection. If you see No AI connections are available, ask an administrator to grant access.

  3. Select Model

    Choose Model. The available models depend on the selected connection.

  4. Done

    Click Done when the panel has the connection and model you want.

Write profile and instructions

Open Profile & instructions.

FieldRecommendation
NameShort, specific, and easy to recognise in lists
DescriptionOne or two sentences explaining who should use the agent and for what
InstructionsThe agent's job, limits, tone, and escalation rules

Good instructions are concrete. Instead of “help with invoices”, write:

text
You help the Finance team review supplier invoices.
Ask for missing invoice number, supplier name, or amount before taking action.
Do not approve payments. If an invoice looks unusual, ask Finance to review it.
When you use knowledge, cite the document title in your answer.

Dynamic discovery

Dynamic discovery controls how much the agent can adapt while you build or chat. Use it carefully:

ModeGood for
OnEarly experimentation, when you are still discovering what the agent needs
OffStable agents used by teammates or shared externally

For production-style agents, turn dynamic behaviour off after setup so the agent stays predictable.

Test before sharing

Return to Build and ask realistic questions:

  • A simple question the agent should answer confidently
  • A question that requires a document or tool
  • A question the agent should refuse or escalate

If the answer is wrong, adjust Instructions, remove unnecessary tools, or add the right Knowledge.

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