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

# Create Phone Agent

> Set up an AI voice agent — choose a voice, write instructions, assign a phone number, and make your first test call.

Create an AI voice agent entirely from your [OpenCX dashboard](https://platform.open.cx).

## Prerequisites

* A **verified phone number** under **[Settings → Phone Numbers](https://platform.open.cx/settings/phone-numbers)** if you plan to assign an inbound number. Agents can also be created without a number for <Tooltip tip="Session Initiation Protocol — lets you route calls through your own telephony provider instead of OpenCX-hosted numbers." cta="SIP setup" href="/phone/sip-integration">SIP</Tooltip>-only or outbound-only use.

## Go Live

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open The Phone Channel">
    Go to **[Channels → Phone](https://platform.open.cx/channels/phone)** and click **Create Agent**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name Your Agent">
    Give the agent a descriptive name (e.g. "Sales Qualifier", "Support Line").
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Voice And Language">
    Select a voice from the voice library and set the primary language. Multi-language agents can switch languages during a call based on the caller. Optionally set a background noise preset (`office`, `bar`, `city-street`, or `none`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write Instructions">
    Define what the agent should do. You can write free-text instructions or use the <Tooltip tip="A drag-and-drop editor for building structured call flows with branching logic, data collection, and transfer nodes." cta="Flow builder details" href="/phone/agent-config">**visual flow builder**</Tooltip> to create a structured call flow with branching logic. See [Agent Configuration](/phone/agent-config) for details on both.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set A First Message">
    Set the <Tooltip tip="The greeting spoken as soon as the call connects, before the main conversation.">first message</Tooltip> — this is what the agent says when it picks up the call (e.g. "Hi, thanks for calling Acme Support. How can I help?"). Defaults to "Hello?" if left blank.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save The Agent">
    Click **Save**. The agent is created and ready to configure further.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign An Inbound Number">
    Under <Tooltip tip="The agent settings section where you assign inbound phone numbers, outbound caller numbers, and SIP trunks.">**Telephony & Routing**</Tooltip> in the agent settings, assign one or more verified phone numbers. Each number can only be assigned to one agent. For BYOC numbers, see [SIP Integration](/phone/sip-integration).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make A Test Call">
    Use the **Test Call** button in the dashboard to call the agent directly from your browser. Verify the agent answers, follows instructions, and behaves as expected.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Agents are created without purchasing a separate phone number. Assign a verified number from **[Settings → Phone Numbers](https://platform.open.cx/settings/phone-numbers)**, or use SIP trunking to route calls from your own carrier.
</Info>

## Test Calls

Use the **Test Call** button on the agent page under **[Channels → Phone → Agents](https://platform.open.cx/channels/phone/agents)**. This calls the agent directly from your browser — no phone number needed.

Test calls help verify:

* The agent answers and speaks the first message
* Instructions are followed correctly
* Knowledge sources are referenced
* Transfer destinations work

## Related Documentation

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Agent Configuration" icon="sliders" href="/phone/agent-config">
    Voice, flow builder, knowledge sources, actions, and transfers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Inbound Calls" icon="phone-arrow-down-left" href="/phone/inbound-calls">
    How calls are routed to agents and what happens during a call.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SIP Integration" icon="server" href="/phone/sip-integration">
    Bring your own carrier with SIP trunks.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>