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

# Getting started with voice agents

> Create a voice agent named Nelly Voice in Cognigy and test it with a voice call in your browser. No phone number is required.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Beginner** · 15 minutes · Voice

A voice agent talks to callers over the phone. This tutorial is for new Cognigy users who want to try a voice agent without any telephony setup.

In this tutorial, you create a voice agent named Nelly Voice that greets callers, answers short questions, and ends the call when the caller says goodbye. You talk to Nelly Voice in your browser by using the test panel. The test call doesn't dial out, so you don't need a phone number.

<video width="200" height="200" aria-label="Animation showing an end user talking to a voice agent." autoPlay muted loop playsInline>
  <source src="https://docscognigyassets.blob.core.windows.net/assets/Cognigy_Microanimation_4_Light_V1_Optimised.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
</video>

⏸

## Prerequisites

* [A Cognigy organization and a Project](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/administer/installation/access-to-cognigy-ai.md).
* A browser with microphone access allowed. The test call uses your microphone.
* *(Optional)* Your own large language model (LLM) or speech provider. A new agent includes both, so you don't need to configure them for this tutorial. To use your own, see [LLMs](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/develop/gen-ai-and-llms/llms) and [Set up a speech provider](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/test/voice-preview.md#set-up-a-speech-provider).

## Restrictions

* The test call runs in your browser and doesn't dial out.
* If your project offers the experimental speech-to-speech option, keep it turned off for this tutorial. When it's on, the **Voice** section shows different settings.
* Any action in voice mode ends the current session and starts a new one.

## Steps for this process

**1. Open the new agent form**

1. In the navigation menu of the Project, go to **Design > Agent**.
2. In the upper-right corner, click **Add agent**. The **Create new agent** page opens.

**2. Describe the agent**

1. In the **Agent name** field, enter `Nelly Voice`.

2. In the **Role** field, enter `Customer service assistant`.

3. Select an avatar.

4. In the **Instructions** field, enter the following text:

   ```text theme={null}
   You are Nelly, a friendly voice assistant. You answer questions during voice calls.
   Greet the caller with one short sentence and ask how you can help.
   Answer in one to three short sentences. Ask only one question at a time.
   Don't use lists, formatting, or URLs, because the caller hears your answer.
   When the caller says goodbye, thank them and end the call politely.
   ```

5. Under **Brand persona**, keep the preselected persona or select another one. Every agent needs a brand persona.

> [!TIP]
>
> Keep answers short. Callers hear the answer instead of reading it.

![The Create new agent page with the name, role, and instructions filled in.](https://mintcdn.com/cognigy-15abf2ba/E7J_TZl63DS6FFRh/_assets/tutorials/voice-agents/create-agent-form.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=E7J_TZl63DS6FFRh\&q=85\&s=65d8029c0c8070c59da9fe7a51cb1372)

**3. Set up the voice**

On the right side of the page, go to the **Voice** section and check the following settings:

* **Text-to-speech provider** and **Speech-to-text provider**: Keep the included speech provider.
* **Text-to-speech language**: Select **English (United States)**.
* **Voice**: Select a voice. To hear a sample, click **Play voice sample** next to the voice.

For more settings, such as the greeting, turn-taking, and listening, click **Voice studio**.

**4. Save the agent**

Click **Save**. A message confirms that the changes are saved, and the agent page stays open.

**5. Add the hang up tool**

A voice tool lets the agent act during a call. The Hang up tool lets Nelly Voice end the call when the caller says goodbye.

1. Go to the **Tools** tab of the agent and click **Add tool**.
2. In the **Add to this agent** dialog, select the **Voice tools** tab.
3. Select **Hang up**.
4. Click **Save**.

By default, the agent hangs up when the caller says goodbye, the task is complete, the caller declines further help, or the agent can't help.

**6. Test the agent with a voice call**

1. In the upper-right corner, click the chat icon to open the test panel.
2. At the top of the panel, select **Voice**.
3. Click **Start a call**. If your browser asks for microphone access, allow it.
4. Say "Hi, who are you?" Nelly Voice answers with a short greeting, such as "Hi, I'm Nelly Voice, a customer service assistant. How can I help you today?" The exact wording can differ.
5. Keep talking to Nelly Voice to try out different questions.
6. Say "Thanks, goodbye!" Nelly Voice says a short closing sentence and ends the call.

![The test panel with Voice selected and the Start a call button below the agent avatar.](https://mintcdn.com/cognigy-15abf2ba/E7J_TZl63DS6FFRh/_assets/tutorials/voice-agents/test-panel-voice-call.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=E7J_TZl63DS6FFRh\&q=85\&s=e8885ff7761be9f914ed3dfa931540d2)

To test with text instead, select **Chat** at the top of the panel.

## What's next

You created a voice agent that answers in short spoken sentences and ends the call with the Hang up tool. You tested it with a voice call in your browser. Next, you can:

* [Set up your first voice number](https://docs.cognigy.com/tutorials/voice-gateway/set-up-your-first-voice-number.md) to take calls from a phone.
* Learn more about testing in [Voice preview](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/test/voice-preview.md).
* Read [Getting started with Voice](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/getting-started).