Selecting an Agent
Choose the right AI agent for your task from the available options.
Understanding Agents
Agents are AI assistants configured for specific purposes. Different agents may:
- Have access to different knowledge bases or data sources
- Be optimized for particular types of tasks
- Use different AI models or capabilities
- Have unique tools like code execution or image generation
Selecting the right agent ensures you get the best possible responses for your needs.
The Agent Selector
The agent selector is a dropdown menu located in the top navigation bar, to the right of the current conversation name.
What You'll See
- Agent icon: An icon representing the current agent
- Dropdown menu: Shows the currently selected agent's name
- Agent groups: Agents are organized into categories
Selecting an Agent
Step 1: Open the Dropdown
- Look in the top-right area of the navigation bar
- Click the agent dropdown (shows the current agent's name)
- The dropdown expands to show available agents
Step 2: Browse Available Agents
Agents are organized into groups:
| Group | Description |
|---|---|
| Featured | Highlighted agents recommended by your organization |
| Other | Additional agents you have access to |
Step 3: Choose an Agent
- Review the agent names in the dropdown
- Click on the agent you want to use
- A confirmation message appears: "Agent changed to [agent name]"
What Happens When You Switch Agents
When you select a different agent during an active conversation:
- A new conversation starts — This ensures the new agent isn't confused by context from the previous agent
- Your previous conversation is preserved — It remains in the sidebar and you can return to it
- The new agent's welcome message appears — Introducing what the new agent can help with
Note: Switching agents always creates a new conversation to maintain clean context for each agent.
Agent Information
Welcome Messages
When you start a conversation with an agent, you may see a welcome message explaining:
- What the agent specializes in
- Types of questions it can answer
- How to get the best results
Identifying the Current Agent
The current agent is shown:
- In the dropdown display in the navigation bar
- Next to each agent response in the conversation (with an agent icon)
Featured vs. Other Agents
Featured Agents
Featured agents are highlighted by your organization because they:
- Are commonly used or recommended
- Are particularly well-suited for common tasks
- Have been recently added or updated
Featured agents appear at the top of the dropdown in their own section.
Other Agents
The "Other" section contains:
- Agents not designated as featured
- Specialized agents for less common tasks
- Agents you've enabled but aren't featured
Managing Your Agent List
You can control which agents appear in your dropdown:
- Click the Settings button (gear icon) in the sidebar
- Go to the Agents tab
- Enable or disable agents using the checkboxes
- Only enabled agents appear in your agent selector
See Managing Available Agents for more details.
Choosing the Right Agent
Match Agent to Task
| Task Type | Look For |
|---|---|
| Data analysis | Agents with code interpreter tools |
| Document questions | Agents with knowledge base access |
| Creative writing | General-purpose or creative agents |
| Technical support | Domain-specific technical agents |
| Image generation | Agents with DALL-E or image tools |
Read Agent Descriptions
If available, agent descriptions help you understand:
- The agent's purpose and specialization
- Types of tasks it handles well
- Any limitations or specific use cases
Try Different Agents
If one agent's response isn't what you need:
- Try the same question with a different agent
- Some agents may be better suited for your specific question
- Feedback through ratings helps administrators improve agent assignments
Tips for Better Results
Start Fresh When Switching
Since switching agents creates a new conversation:
- Restate your question clearly in the new conversation
- Don't assume the new agent knows what you discussed before
- Provide necessary context in your first message
Use Agent Specializations
- Use specialized agents for their intended purpose
- General agents are versatile but may not have domain expertise
- Specialized agents often provide more accurate, detailed responses
Ask About Capabilities
If you're unsure what an agent can do:
- Ask: "What can you help me with?"
- Ask: "What tools or data do you have access to?"
- The agent can describe its capabilities
Troubleshooting
No Agents in Dropdown
- Wait for agents to load (you may see a loading state)
- Refresh the page
- Check Settings > Agents to ensure agents are enabled
- Contact your administrator if no agents are available
Agent Not Responding
- The selected agent may be experiencing issues
- Try selecting a different agent
- Refresh the page and try again
- Check for system status announcements
Wrong Agent Selected
- Simply select the correct agent from the dropdown
- A new conversation will start with the correct agent
- Return to your previous conversation from the sidebar if needed
Can't Find a Specific Agent
- Use Settings > Agents to see all available agents
- The agent may need to be enabled
- Search by name in the agent settings
- Contact your administrator if you need access to an agent
Agent Keeps Creating New Conversations
This is expected behavior:
- Switching agents always starts a new conversation
- This maintains clean context for each agent
- Previous conversations are saved in the sidebar
Related Topics
- Managing Available Agents — Enable/disable agents
- Managing Conversations — Navigate between conversations
- Viewing Agent Prompts — See how agents generate responses