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

# Build manually

> Set up an agent yourself in the editor: identity, model, instructions, capabilities, connected apps, knowledge, and channels, step by step.

export const platform = {
  home: "https://platform.qxlabs.com",
  chat: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/chat",
  agents: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/agents",
  agentSchedules: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/agents/schedules",
  flows: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/flows",
  flowExecutions: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/flows/executions",
  grids: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/grids",
  pages: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/pages",
  knowledge: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/knowledge",
  connectedApps: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/credentials",
  settingsChannels: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/settings/channels",
  settingsAuthorizedApps: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/settings/authorized-apps",
  usage: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/usage",
  billing: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/billing",
  team: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/account/team",
  explore: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/explore",
  exploreSkills: "https://platform.qxlabs.com/explore/skills"
};

An agent is defined by its identity, model, instructions, capabilities, apps, knowledge, and channels. Go to <a href={platform.agents}>**Agents**</a> → **New Agent** to open the agent editor and work through the sections below yourself, or describe the agent in the editor's **Chat** sidebar and let the builder do this for you, see [Build with AI](/agents/create-an-agent/build-with-ai).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identity, model, and instructions">
    Give the agent an avatar, a **Name** (e.g. "Marketing assistant"), and a short **Description** shown in the agent picker. Choose its model from the quick picks - **Recommended**, **Smartest**, or **Fast & Cheap** - or any permitted model. Then write the system prompt: the agent's personality, task, rules, and output format. See [Models and instructions](/agents/models-and-instructions).

    <Frame>
      <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/qx-labs/prc29AeGBhIIS4rr/images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/identity-model-instructions-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=prc29AeGBhIIS4rr&q=85&s=0952efd3b704b0b25d32dd9299a4081e" alt="Agent editor showing avatar, name, description, model, and instructions fields" width="785" height="694" data-path="images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/identity-model-instructions-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/qx-labs/prc29AeGBhIIS4rr/images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/identity-model-instructions-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=prc29AeGBhIIS4rr&q=85&s=818596ab381600e2bdaf2e39d1345780" alt="Agent editor showing avatar, name, description, model, and instructions fields" width="785" height="694" data-path="images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/identity-model-instructions-dark.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Capabilities, apps, and knowledge">
    Toggle the agent's built-in [capabilities](/agents/capabilities), like web search and plenty more, plus [**Workspace Access**](/agents/persistent-workspace). Pick the [connected apps](/agents/apps-and-knowledge) it can use, down to individual tools. Attach the knowledge vaults it can search and cite. See [Scopes and permissions](/agents/scopes-and-permissions) for how scoping works.

    <Frame>
      <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/qx-labs/prc29AeGBhIIS4rr/images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/capabilities-apps-knowledge-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=prc29AeGBhIIS4rr&q=85&s=c08f1a5eb2aa13db43e0f40f03d35e0a" alt="Agent editor showing capability toggles, connected apps, and knowledge vaults" width="785" height="1456" data-path="images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/capabilities-apps-knowledge-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/qx-labs/prc29AeGBhIIS4rr/images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/capabilities-apps-knowledge-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=prc29AeGBhIIS4rr&q=85&s=7c419fc2cccf91c8eb04520b1a4c55d9" alt="Agent editor showing capability toggles, connected apps, and knowledge vaults" width="785" height="1456" data-path="images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/capabilities-apps-knowledge-dark.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Communication">
    Optionally enable email, WhatsApp, or a Slack bot for the agent. See [Communication channels](/agents/communication-channels).

    <Frame>
      <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/qx-labs/prc29AeGBhIIS4rr/images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/communication-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=prc29AeGBhIIS4rr&q=85&s=1438ad1d3d4fc7932bd3eaf5afb86d39" alt="Agent editor communication section with email, WhatsApp, and Slack bot options" width="762" height="405" data-path="images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/communication-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/qx-labs/prc29AeGBhIIS4rr/images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/communication-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=prc29AeGBhIIS4rr&q=85&s=65e36e228a76aae0604f688d12ed8875" alt="Agent editor communication section with email, WhatsApp, and Slack bot options" width="762" height="405" data-path="images/agents/create-an-agent/build-manually/communication-dark.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

Click **Create agent**, then **Start chat** to try it immediately.

## Editing and deleting

Reopen any agent from the Agents list to edit it. **Save changes** applies immediately to future conversations. **Delete agent** removes it permanently.

## Tips for effective agents

* Keep instructions specific: who the agent is, what a good answer looks like, what it should never do.
* Only attach the apps and vaults the agent actually needs - smaller toolsets make agents faster and more predictable.
* Test in chat as you iterate; you can edit the agent and start a fresh chat side by side.