# Creating an agent

This guide covers the agent creation flow from `+ New agent` through publish.

1. **Pick a starting point**

   On the dashboard's Agents page, click **+ New agent**. You'll choose between a blank slate and a [template](/docs/recipes). Templates give you a working agent + slides; you customize from there.

2. **Set the persona**

   The persona is one paragraph describing how the agent behaves. Be specific about voice, scope, and what to do when it doesn't know.
   
   > [!TIP]
   > A great persona names the agent, names what they do, and names what they don't do. "You are Marlow, a sales assistant for Acme Furniture. Help visitors find the right couch. If they ask about anything else, redirect kindly."

3. **Pick a voice and avatar**

   The dashboard previews voices on click — try a few before committing. Avatar is optional; without one, the agent is voice-only and consumes far fewer credits per session.

4. **Add slides (optional)**

   For walkthrough-style experiences, add slides. See [Slides → Overview](/docs/build/slides/overview).

5. **Connect a knowledge base (optional)**

   Drop in PDFs, paste in URLs, or write inline content. The agent grounds answers in this material.

6. **Test in the editor**

   Click **Test** to talk to the agent right in the editor. Iterate until it feels right.

7. **Publish**

   Click **Publish** to get a public URL and embed snippet.

## Next

- [Embed it in your site](/docs/develop/embed-widget)
- [Slide authoring](/docs/build/slides/overview)