# Create your first AI Phone Agent Step-by-step guide to creating, configuring, and testing a new AI phone agent in VINSI.AI. Created April 11, 2025 · Updated September 16, 2026 ## Overview AI phone agents answer inbound calls and place outbound calls on behalf of your business, collect structured information from callers, and respond using natural, human-like voice interactions. This guide walks through the complete setup process—from creating a new agent to testing its behavior before going live. ## Create New Agent 1. Log into the VINSI AI SaaS platform 2. Navigate to **AI Phone Agents** ("Manage your AI phone agents") 3. Click **Add New AI Agent** 4. In the **Create New Agent** sheet, choose a template or start from scratch | Option | What it does | | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Start from blank** | An empty agent you configure yourself | | **Workflow** | Build a node-based workflow agent (limited availability — contact VINSI support) | | **AI Agent Wizard** | Answer "What type of company is this?", add "Extra details (optional)", and optionally upload a PDF or DOCX | | **Templates** | Virtual Receptionist, Customer Service, Restaurant Order, Hotel Booking, Car Rental, Medical Check-in, Order Status | The AI Phone Agents list shows **Agent Name**, **Voice**, **Status** (Active/Inactive), and **Last Updated**, with **Edit**, **Clone**, and **Delete** actions. In the editor, click the pencil next to the agent name ("Edit Agent Name") to rename it; the **Agent ID** appears beneath. Use the **Inbound Agent** and **Outbound Agent** tabs to configure each direction. ## Welcome Message The welcome message is the first thing callers hear. It should clearly identify your business and establish the purpose of the call. "Thank you for calling Pizzeria Matteo. My name is Giselle. Will this be for dine-in, pickup, or delivery?" Keep the message concise, professional, and easy to understand. ## Instructions The **Instructions** editor defines how your agent behaves during calls. Write clear operational instructions rather than marketing language. - Specify what information the agent must collect - Define how different scenarios should be handled - Set the order in which questions are asked - Include relevant policies or procedures The editor includes Find, text size, a **Developer View** toggle, full-screen mode, and a character count. Press `{` to quickly insert tool references. Example: instruct the agent to always collect the caller's phone number first, followed by their name and order details. ## AI Voice Voice selection impacts trust and perceived quality. The **🎙 Voice** section of the Settings panel includes: - **AI Voices** — select one or more voices; use **Preview** to listen - **Voice Selection Mode** — Cycling or Random - **Allow Interruptions** — Yes, Yes (Except Welcome Message), or No - **Turn Detection Sensitivity** — Very Low to Maximum; **Edit** opens VAD mode (Slow/Normal/Fast) and advanced options The **🧠 Knowledge** section holds the **Knowledge Base** (Add/Edit, with Generate Knowledge), **Language**, and **Timezone**. ## Tools & Data Tools enable your agent to perform actions beyond conversation. The **⚙️ Tools & Data** section includes: - **Tools** - **Waiting Sound** — Hold Music, Keyboard Typing, or Silent - **First Action Tool** - **Pre-call Tool** (with a Pre-call Welcome Message) - **Dispositions** - **Key Terms** — Speech Recognition Bias, up to 100 terms - **After Call Webhook** - **Call Data** — Label, Key, Type (string, number, boolean), and Description On the **Outbound Agent** tab you'll also find **Voicemail Message**, **End call if IVR or AI agent detected**, and **Enable Do Not Call tool** (lets the AI add the caller to the DNC list mid-call). ## Telephony & Business Hours These sections appear after the agent is saved for the first time. - **☎️ Telephony** — **Phone Numbers** with a **Manage** link (opens "Assign a Phone Number"), a **Set as default** radio per number ("Use this number as the outbound caller ID"), and **Max Call Time (Minutes)** (default 0 = no limit, separate for inbound and outbound) - **🕒 Business Hours** — **Enforce Business Hours** switch and a weekly schedule; click **Edit** to set open/close times per day and add breaks. The time zone comes from the Knowledge section. Need a number? See [Phone Numbers](https://docs.vinsi.ai/telephony/phoneNumbers). For outbound setup, see [Outbound Calls](https://docs.vinsi.ai/telephony/outboundCalls). ## Integration & Website Widget - **🔌 Integration** — **Select Integration** currently offers Go High Level (enter the Sub-Account ID and click Save) - **🌐 Website Widget** — choose **Channels** (Voice, Text chat, Call me), set Chat instructions, Starter messages (one per line), and **Allowed domains**. Click **Get Widget Embed Code** to customize text, colors, shape, position, and icon, then **Copy Code**. **Note:** The widget won't load if Allowed domains is empty. ## Saving & Testing Click **Save** to persist your settings. There is no separate Publish step. The header shows when the agent was **Last saved**, and you'll be prompted if you try to leave with unsaved changes. **History** opens **Agent History**, where you can **Rollback** to an earlier snapshot. - **Talk** (Inbound Agent tab) — test the agent in your browser; click the red **End** button to hang up. The gear icon opens **Audio Settings** for microphone and speaker. - **Call Me** (Outbound Agent tab) — have the agent call your phone. See [Outbound Calls](https://docs.vinsi.ai/telephony/outboundCalls). Talk and Call Me require a saved agent, instructions, and wallet credits.