Actions tell your assistant what to do when it retrieves a specific knowledge base topic. They can send SMS messages, run custom functions, or transfer users to a live agent.

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What are actions?

Actions expand your assistant’s capabilities, allowing it to:

  • Send SMS messages: Share confirmations, links, or follow-up details.
  • Run custom functions: Perform advanced tasks like fetching real-time data or interacting with external systems.
  • Trigger handoffs: Seamlessly connect users to live agents for complex issues.

Actions make your assistant dynamic and better equipped to handle real-world scenarios.

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Adding actions to the knowledge base

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How to add actions

Actions are configured in the Actions field of a knowledge base topic. You can add them in three ways:

  1. Type /: Opens a command palette to select the desired action.
  2. Right-click: Shows a menu of available actions.
  3. Click the + icon: Use the dropdown menu to add an action like sending SMS, invoking a function, or triggering a handoff.

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Example: Adding an SMS action

  1. Open a topic in the knowledge base (e.g., Store Hours).
  2. Go to the Actions field and type /send-sms.
  3. Choose the SMS template (e.g., StoreHoursTemplate).
  4. Configure the trigger to send the SMS when the topic is matched.

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Common actions and use cases

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Sending SMS

Use SMS actions to share essential details directly with users.

Example: A user asks for refund instructions. The assistant sends an SMS with a link to the refund portal.

Configuration:

  • Action: Send SMS
  • Trigger: User queries refund process
  • SMS Template: RefundPolicyTemplate

Learn more: How to send SMS

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Invoking functions

Functions allow the assistant to perform advanced tasks, such as retrieving external data or performing calculations.

Example: A user asks for the weather forecast. The assistant runs a function to fetch the current weather details.

Configuration:

  • Action: Invoke Function
  • Function: getWeatherForecast
  • Trigger: User queries weather details

Learn more: How to invoke functions

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Triggering handoffs

Use handoff actions to transfer users to live agents when they need human support.

Example: A user mentions a billing dispute. The assistant connects them to the billing department.

Configuration:

  • Action: Trigger Handoff
  • Destination: Billing Queue
  • Trigger: User mentions billing

Learn more: How to trigger handoffs

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Best practices for actions

  1. Use precise triggers

    • Clearly define conditions for actions to avoid false triggers.
    • Example: Use specific phrases like User mentions refund instead of broad keywords.

  2. Write concise SMS templates

    • Keep messages short, professional, and easy to understand.
    • Example: “Your refund request is being processed. Visit [this link] for details.”

  3. Test custom functions thoroughly

    • Validate function performance across different user scenarios.
    • Add fallback actions to handle potential errors.

  4. Plan handoff workflows

    • Use polite, clear messages to inform users before transferring them.
    • Example: “Let me connect you to a billing specialist who can help further.”

  5. Combine actions for complex workflows

    • Chain multiple actions for advanced tasks.
    • Example: Fetch booking details using a function and send the information via SMS.

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FAQs

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Can I add multiple actions to one topic?

Yes, you can configure multiple actions under the same topic. For example, you can send an SMS and invoke a function in response to a single query.

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What happens if an action fails?

Set up fallback actions, like redirecting to a global topic or retrying with a different template.

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Do I need coding experience to add actions?

No, most actions can be configured using dropdown menus and predefined templates.

For further guidance, visit:

Need help? Check out our support guide and FAQ, or contact the support team.

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