> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.heysonara.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Agents Overview

> Understand what Sonara agents are and how they work.

## What is an agent?

A Sonara agent is an AI-powered voice assistant that can hold natural conversations with people over the phone or through a web widget. Each agent has its own personality, instructions, voice, and capabilities.

Agents can:

* Answer questions using knowledge from your documents and websites
* Follow structured instructions and conversation guidelines
* Use tools to take actions (transfer calls, end calls, look up data)
* Connect to 150+ external apps via integrations
* Provide post-call analysis and summaries

## Agent configuration

Every agent is configured through several settings tabs:

| Tab                    | What it controls                                          |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Instructions**       | System prompt, welcome message, and conversation behavior |
| **Voice**              | Text-to-speech provider, voice selection, and speed       |
| **LLM**                | Language model provider, model selection, and parameters  |
| **Session Variables**  | Dynamic variables injected into the agent's prompt        |
| **Tools & Functions**  | Built-in tools and custom function calls                  |
| **Knowledge Base**     | Linked documents and data sources                         |
| **Integrations**       | Connected third-party apps                                |
| **Speech Settings**    | Turn detection, interruption handling, backchannel        |
| **Post-Call Analysis** | Automatic summaries and data extraction after calls       |

## Agent modes

Agents can operate in different modes:

* **Voice Agent**  - Handles voice conversations via phone or web widget
* **Chat Agent**  - Handles text-based chat conversations

## Agent lifecycle

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create">
    Create a new agent with a name and description.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure">
    Set up instructions, voice, LLM, tools, and other settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test">
    Use the built-in test modal to have a live conversation with your agent.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish">
    Publish the agent to make it available for deployment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy">
    Assign a phone number, embed a widget, or share a demo link.
  </Step>
</Steps>