Agents
Instructions
Write agent instructions as one prompt that tells your AI receptionist who it is, how to behave, and what not to say.
Instructions are the written guidance that shapes how an agent behaves on every call and chat. You write them in one prompt box on the Instructions tab of the agent editor. The agent receives the text exactly as you saved it.
What instructions are for
Instructions tell the agent who it speaks for, what a good conversation looks like, and how to handle common situations. Nuteq AI already handles natural conversation, safety, and the confirmation steps for actions such as booking. Your instructions only need your business details and preferences.
The voice you choose on the Voice & language tab sets the agent's gender in speech. Nuteq AI matches pronouns and grammar to that voice. Instructions has no gender or pronoun setting.
How to write the prompt
An empty prompt box shows a suggested layout with Markdown headings. A heading
is a line that starts with ##. You can follow the layout, change it, or write
plain paragraphs. Nuteq AI does not split or rearrange your text.
## Role
Who the agent is and the business it works for.
## Goal
What a successful conversation ends with.
## Instructions
How to greet callers, what to ask, and what to avoid.
## Context
Hours, prices, policies, and other facts to know.
## Scope
What to decline, and what to say instead.
## Escalation
When to transfer the call or take a message.A prompt can have up to 8,000 characters. The counter under the box shows how many you used. If you turned on call transfer, say in the prompt when the agent transfers. Example: when a caller asks to speak with a person.
You do not need to write what the agent does when a customer asks for a person. Every agent records the request and alerts you. This also applies when a transfer does not connect. See When a customer asks for a person. Use the Escalation section for other cases in which the agent must offer a person.
Example conversations
Every agent has built-in example conversations. They show a natural tone in the
agent's language. To use your own examples, add a section with the heading
## Examples to your prompt. The agent then uses yours and not the built-in ones.
Related pages
- Agent editor overview: how Instructions fits with the other tabs.
- Save and publish changes: the draft and publish step.
- Knowledge: add facts and documents so you do not type them all in the prompt.
- Actions: turn on abilities such as booking or transferring calls.
By Nuteq AI TeamPublished Updated 2 min read
Keep reading
Related content
- AgentsThe Nuteq AI agent editor sets an agent's instructions, voice, languages, actions, and channels. Test and publish your changes there.Read more
- Save, publish, and roll backPublish agent changes to make edited instructions live. Roll back to an earlier version at any time.Read more
- Knowledge baseA Nuteq AI knowledge base holds the documents, FAQs, and web pages that an agent quotes. It answers with your real business details.Read more
- ActionsAgent actions and tools let your AI receptionist book appointments, capture leads, transfer calls, and look up your knowledge base.Read more
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to use the suggested headings?
- No. The headings help you cover common topics. The agent reads your prompt as you wrote it, with or without headings.
- How long can my prompt be?
- A prompt can have up to 8,000 characters. The counter under the box turns red when you pass the limit. Shorten the prompt before you save it.
- Can I control whether my agent sounds male or female?
- The voice you pick on the Voice & language tab sets the agent's gender. Instructions has no pronoun setting.
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