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The Default Reply feature provides a configurable, Intent-specific response triggered when the NLU model detects a matching Intent from the user input.

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Key Benefits

  • Instant Response Delivery. A predefined reply, for example, Thank you for your order, is sent as soon as the Intent is recognized, improving the user experience with prompt feedback.
  • Flexible Flow Control. You can decide whether the Flow proceeds or pauses after the default reply, offering adaptability to different use cases.
  • Enhanced Understanding of User Queries. With the default reply providing additional context, the AI Agent can better interpret diverse user inputs, leading to improved recognition accuracy and more effective responses.

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Prerequisites

Before using the default reply, ensure the following:
  1. A Flow is created in Cognigy.AI with at least one defined Intent.
  2. Access to the NLU settings within the Flow to configure the default reply.

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Restriction

  • The default reply is tied to specific Intents and requires manual configuration. It won’t activate if it is overridden by other settings like attached Flows or Question Node validations.

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How to Use

Add the default reply to a specific Intent. If you’ve configured the default reply for multiple Intents, adjust the settings at the Flow level to ensure consistent default reply behavior.

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Add the Default Reply

  1. In the Flow editor, go to NLU > Intents and select an Intent.
  2. Go to the Default Reply section and configure the following settings:

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Configure the Default Reply for All Intents in the Flow

  1. In the Flow editor, go to Settings > Configuration and select an Intent.
  2. Go to the General Flow Logic section and configure the following settings:

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How to Test

  1. In the Interaction Panel, enter a phrase matching the Intent. For example, I want to order a pizza.
  2. Verify that the default reply is sent immediately.
The Flow continues or pauses depending on how you configured the Continue Flow after Default Reply setting.

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Example

Imagine a pizza ordering AI Agent. Intent: Order Pizza
Default reply: Great choice! Your order is being processed.
User Input: I'd like a pizza The NLU detects the Intent, the AI Agent sends the default reply, and the Flow either continues to ask for toppings or pauses.

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More Information

Last modified on April 21, 2026