# Rule-based Agent

## What is a Rule-based agent?

If your business needs are met with a straightforward workflow, a rule-based agent is an excellent choice. Containing no AI components, it operates simply by triggering chatbot responses from keywords or message buttons. Additionally, you can configure its basic settings, such as a welcome message, auto-close timer, and fallback behavior.

<figure><img src="https://3466127247-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSIAnjLP6KQY5rvyuaq5K%2Fuploads%2F6iMUxknuMlMLEIXcD2SQ%2FMy_Photor_1760432621166.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=eced20eb-8054-4f53-809a-c0256197010b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## How to configure a rule-based agent?

<figure><img src="https://3466127247-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSIAnjLP6KQY5rvyuaq5K%2Fuploads%2FjWe8kM3ByCUM8qMR3P3f%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cb2cf36f-8b97-4655-b8e1-59a25b37c00a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Profile

**Avatar and name**

You can set up the agent's name and avatar as you need.

<figure><img src="https://3466127247-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSIAnjLP6KQY5rvyuaq5K%2Fuploads%2FujxBLc6SB71fOGREYvZM%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=43b32faa-0001-4b74-891d-1136d7827544" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**What should the Chatbot do when it doesn’t understand the user’s intent?**

You can also configure how Chatbot will act when it cannot understand user intent

1. No response. Chatbot will not respond to this option
2. Automatic reply. Selecting this option will automatically reply to questions that cannot be understood based on the reply content you configured
3. Transfer to manual processing. Select this option and Chatbot will transfer the conversation to manual processing. In this case, if necessary, you can configure Chatbot to automatically send a message to the user before transferring, prompting the user to wait

**How long should the Chatbot wait before closing the conversation**

After the chatbot sends a message, if the customer doesn't reply for longer than the configured time, the session will automatically close. The default time is 10 minutes.

**Welcome message sent at the start of a conversation**

The welcome message of the AI agent is an automated message sent to users at the beginning of each conversation it handles. You can configure here some messages that you would like users to see immediately after an incoming message, supporting plain text, media, or interactive types of messages.

<figure><img src="https://3466127247-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSIAnjLP6KQY5rvyuaq5K%2Fuploads%2FSoRYez63mYWyZh1C7qAk%2FMy_Photor_1760432960694.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=cec5c75f-07e6-4748-bc77-cab0d1fba879" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### [Flows](https://helpdocs.ycloud.com/help-center/chatbot/create-a-flow)

Build flows of Chatbot in a visual editor and let it interact with customers on WhatsApp.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://helpdocs.ycloud.com/help-center/chatbot/rule-based-agent.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.