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

# AI Assistants

> Build and configure AI voice assistants for phone calls and web widgets. Choose your LLM, voice, and write instructions that match your business goals.

## What are AI Assistants?

AI Assistants are the core of Orato. Each assistant is a fully configured voice AI that can make phone calls, receive inbound calls, or be embedded as a voice widget on your website. You configure an assistant once and it handles unlimited simultaneous conversations.

Every assistant shows an estimated **cost per minute** - typically **\~**$0.08 -$**0.09/min** - covering Transcriber, LLM, Voice, Telephony, and Platform costs.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/oratoinc/p17B-McT_jBLUIPP/images/AI-Assistant.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=p17B-McT_jBLUIPP&q=85&s=cc7dfaad7f1ef718cc80d494e26d6a0c" alt="AI Assistant" width="1507" height="692" data-path="images/AI-Assistant.png" />
</Frame>

***

## Creating an AI Assistant

From the **AI Assistants** page, click **+ Create Assistant**. The creation flow has three steps.

***

### Step 1 - Setup: Name & Instructions

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/oratoinc/p17B-McT_jBLUIPP/images/Create-Assistant.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=p17B-McT_jBLUIPP&q=85&s=ca4fd2af81c930a676ae14d2c7fefb0a" alt="Create Assistant" width="1236" height="522" data-path="images/Create-Assistant.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enter a name and select a role">
    Give your assistant a name (this is what callers may hear) and choose a **Role**:

    * **Web Widget** - embeds on your website as a floating voice button
    * **Phone** - used for inbound or outbound phone calls
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the AI Instruction Generator">
    Fill in two fields to auto-generate your instructions:

    1. *"What does your business do?"* - e.g. `We sell CRM software for real estate agents`
    2. *"Call goal?"* - e.g. `Qualify leads and book product demos`

    Click **Generate Instructions**:  Orato writes a structured prompt for you instantly.

    <Tip>
      The generator creates a professional format with `# IDENTITY`, `# CRITICAL RULE: VOICE-FIRST RESPONSES`, and your custom context. Edit any section directly in the text area.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and refine the instructions">
    The generated prompt enforces voice-first rules automatically:

    ```text theme={null}
    # IDENTITY
    You are [Name], an AI Voice Assistant for [Company].
    You're warm, professional, and concise.

    # CRITICAL RULE: VOICE-FIRST RESPONSES
    Every response must be 1-2 sentences maximum.
    Never use bullet points, asterisks, or emojis.
    Sound like a confident, helpful human.
    ```

    <Warning>
      Keep responses short. Voice replies over 2–3 sentences sound unnatural on a real phone call.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

### Step 2 - Personality: Voice & Messages

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/oratoinc/p17B-McT_jBLUIPP/images/Name-Assistant.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=p17B-McT_jBLUIPP&q=85&s=95c47705ea7a2596f884b28fcfe3f830" alt="Name Assistant" width="1246" height="607" data-path="images/Name-Assistant.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose your AI Brain (LLM)">
    Select the language model that powers your assistant's responses:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Anthropic">
        Claude models: nuanced, high-quality responses. Best for complex conversations that need careful reasoning.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Groq">
        Llama 3.3 70B and others: ultra-fast inference. **Best for low-latency phone calls** where speed matters most.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="OpenAI">
        GPT-4 models: balanced speed and intelligence. Good all-round choice.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your Voice">
    Select how your assistant sounds on every call:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Cartesia">
        sonic-2 and other models: low latency, natural voices. **Recommended for most use cases.** Click **Preview** to hear before selecting.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="ElevenLabs">
        Highly natural, wide voice selection. Best when voice quality is the top priority.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Sarvam">
        Specialised for Indian languages: Hindi, Hinglish, and Indian English accents. Best for India-based businesses.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Opening and Closing Messages">
    | Setting                      | Description                                                                      |
    | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Opening:  I'll write it**  | Write a specific greeting, e.g. *"Hi, this is Arya from Orato, how can I help?"* |
    | **Opening: AI generates it** | Orato crafts a natural opening based on caller name and context                  |
    | **Session End Message**      | Spoken when the conversation closes, e.g. *"Thanks for your time"*               |
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

### Step 3 - Review: Confirm & Launch

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/oratoinc/p17B-McT_jBLUIPP/images/Review-Assistant.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=p17B-McT_jBLUIPP&q=85&s=6a49b2fa6474a3d29354043999f7a717" alt="Review Assistant" width="1016" height="597" data-path="images/Review-Assistant.png" />
</Frame>

Review your complete configuration before saving:

| Field              | What to check                                                         |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name & Role**    | Correct name and deployment type                                      |
| **Voice**          | Right voice for your target audience                                  |
| **AI Model**       | Correct LLM provider and model                                        |
| **Opening**        | Written or AI Generated                                               |
| **Closing**        | Session end message is set                                            |
| **Knowledge Base** | Attach documents if your assistant needs to answer specific questions |

Click **Update Assistant** to save. Your assistant is active immediately.

<Tip>
  Click **Talk** (top right of the Edit page) to test your assistant live in the browser before deploying to real calls.
</Tip>

***

## Managing your assistants

The AI Assistants page shows live stats across all your assistants:

| Stat         | Meaning                                   |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Total**    | All assistants in your account            |
| **Active**   | Currently active and taking conversations |
| **Outbound** | Configured for outbound calling campaigns |
| **Inbound**  | Configured to receive incoming calls      |

***

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Knowledge Base" icon="database" href="/knowledge-base">
    Upload documents your assistant can reference during calls
  </Card>

  <Card title="Campaigns" icon="bullhorn" href="/campaigns">
    Use your assistant in an outbound calling campaign
  </Card>

  <Card title="Phone Numbers" icon="phone" href="/phone-numbers">
    Buy a number to use your assistant for inbound calls
  </Card>

  <Card title="Developer" icon="code" href="/developer/api-keys">
    Embed your assistant on your website via the Web Widget
  </Card>
</CardGroup>