Skip to main content

Custom AI Agents: The Intelligence Pillar

The Intelligence Pillar — AI that learns and resons.

Updated this week

Overview

AI Agents are the Intelligence component of your Workspace DNA — one of three pillars that power Genesis apps and form the Tree of Life architecture.

  • 🧠 Intelligence (Agents): Your workspace's reasoning/decision-making layer

While Projects provide structured memory and Automations execute workflows, AI Agents supply the reasoning, decision-making, and context comprehension.

They actively participate in your work by:

  • Learning from Memory: Agents continuously train on workspace knowledge.
    ​

  • Making Decisions: They analyze context and determine the course of action.

  • Triggering Execution: Agents can start automations and orchestrate workflows.

  • Evolving Over Time: The more a workspace grows, the smarter agents become.

💡 Note: When you create a Genesis app, your agents become the intelligence layer of that application — processing requests, assimilating information, and making context-aware decisions based on real business knowledge.

In this guide, you'll learn how to build and train custom AI agents.

What Are AI Agents?

AI Agents are specialized assistants designed to automate activities like research, data analysis, and content creation. You can create custom AI Agents and use them in your projects to save time and get more done faster and smarter.

💡 Note: Custom AI Agents are part of Taskade AI. Jump here to learn more.

When to Build?

Creating AI agents is a practical decision based on the frequency and duration of tasks you perform. Here are a few rules that may help you decide if you need one:

  • You repeat specific tasks multiple times a week
    ​

  • You spend over two hours a week on particular activities
    ​

  • You perform tasks that can be easily automated or follow a set pattern
    ​

  • You need to streamline processes to focus on more strategic work
    ​

  • You want to add intelligent, context-aware support to your Genesis apps.

Still trying to decide? Here are a few things agents can help you with:

🤹‍♂️ Area

✅ Tasks

Task Automation

  • Auto-categorize tasks

  • Prioritize by keywords

  • Estimate duration

  • Recommend task owners

Knowledge Retrieval

  • Fetch relevant documents

  • Answer team questions

  • Recommend reading material

  • Suggest internal resources

Feedback & Improvement

  • Collect and analyze feedback

  • Offer improvement insights

  • Benchmark against past projects

  • Highlight success stories

Meetings

  • Summarize the discussions

  • Recommend next steps

Creative Assistance

  • Offer writing/editing aid

  • Brainstorm content ideas

  • Provide content inspiration

  • Suggest out-of-the-box approaches

Create Custom Agents

The process of creating an AI agent takes less than a few minutes.

The AI Agents Tab

The AI Agents Tab aggregates all AI Agents inside a workspace/app.

  • Go to the Agents tab in your workspace/app.

  • Choose one of the available methods to create your first agent:
    ​

Use EVE (Taskade Assistant Agent)

You can create new agents from anywhere in Taskade, while building Genesis apps, inside your automation workflows, in projects, or from the new main sidebar.

💡 Note: Read our guide to EVE (Taskade Assistant Agent) to learn more.

  • Click the Chat button in the top-left corner to open EVE.
    ​

  • Describe the agent you want to generate to EVE.
    ​

    • e.g. "Create a support agent for onboarding FAQs with a friendly tone."
      ​

  • Wait for EVE to generate the new agent.
    ​

  • The agent is now available in the workspace/app.
    ​

  • Edit your agent (scroll down for detailed instructions).

Start From Scratch

Step 1: Fill Out General Details

Think of each AI agent as a digital team member. It can have a unique name, skills, set of objectives, and even a tone of voice it will use in conversations.

  1. Choose the General tab on the left and add agent details:
    ​

    • Name: A unique name will help you identify your AI agent.
      ​

    • Description: Describe the core behavior and personality of your agent.
      ​

    • Persona: Give your agent a unique personality.
      ​

    • Tone: Tailor agent interactions with a specific tone of voice.
      ​

    • Tools: Enable additional tools like web browsing or plugins.

Step 2: Train Your Agent

Agents have a basic understanding of the world. You can make their responses more relevant to your work by "training" them using various resources.

💡 Note: Visit Agent Knowledge & Data to learn more.

  • Choose the Knowledge tab in the sidebar on the left.
    ​

  • Enable the Knowledge toggle on the right.
    ​

  • Use one of the available options to train your agent:
    ​

    • 🤏 Drag & drop: Drag files from your device to upload.
      ​

    • 📄 Add Media: Choose files from the Media Manager.
      ​

    • 📄 Add Project: Select projects from a workspace/app (see below).
      ​

    • 🌐 Add link: Choose external resources like websites and blogs (see below).
      ​

    • 🎞️ Add YouTube: Choose one or multiple YouTube videos for transcription.
      ​

    • 📦 Add with Google Drive, Dropbox, or Box
      ​

  • The agent will use the source to provide contextual answers to your queries.

Step 3: Enable Agent Tools

Agent Tools give your agents the ability to create projects and tasks, seamlessly exchange information with external platforms, and interact with each other.

Here's how to enable and use tools with your agents:

  • Go to the 🔧 Tools tab in the sidebar on the left.
    ​

  • Click ➕ Add tool and choose one of the available options.
    ​

  • Prompt the agent to use a specific tool during a conversation, e.g.
    ​

    • "Send a message to #general channel: 'Team meeting at 3 PM.'"
    • "Send an email to [email protected] titled 'Meeting Reminder.'"
    • "Draft a new post in WordPress titled 'Productivity Tips.'"

💡 Note: Visit Tools for AI Agents for a full list of tools.

Step 4: Add Custom Commands

Each agent can include multiple custom/commands. Think of them as "levers" that allow you to interact with the agent, and the agent to interact with the world.

  1. Choose the Commands tab on the left.
    ​

  2. Click ➕ New command and define the prompts:
    ​

    • 🔤 Name: This will pop up when you type / + "command name".
      ​

    • ⏩ Prompt: Define the behavior of the custom command.
      ​

    • 🚦 Command Mode: Decide how the agent should approach tasks.
      ​

      • 🟢 Default: Agent operates based on your prompt without setting goals.
        ​

      • 🔵 Plan & Execute: Agent sets structured goals based on your prompt.
        ​

  3. Click Create to save the changes.

💡 Note: Not sure where to start? Visit our Guide to Writing Agent Prompts.

Generate with AI

The AI Agent Generator lets you instantly generate AI agents for any task.

💡 Note: Visit our AI Agent Generator to learn more.

  • (method #1) Describe the type of agent you want to create.
    ​

  • (method #2) Choose one of the prompt examples.

💡 Note: Click Add Knowledge to create your agent with business context.

  • Hit ⌨️ Enter and wait for the generator to finish.
    ​

  • Click Create & Launch Agent to add the agent to the Agents tab.

Create AI Teams

An AI Team is a group of AI agents working together. You can create a team to collaborate with all agents at once and use their combined expertise.

💡 Note: Visit our AI Teams guide to learn more.

  • Navigate to the AI Teams tab in your workspace/app (left sidebar).
    ​

  • Click ➕ Create Team.

💡 Note: Click Create with AI to instantly generate a complete AI team.

  • Customize your AI team.
    ​

    • 🔤 Choose a name for the team.
      ​

    • 👥 Add individual AI agents.

Use Agent Templates

Taskade features a collection of AI agent templates designed for various use cases. Each agent has a unique prompt and set of commands. To use agent templates:

  • Go to the AI Agents tab at the top of your workspace/app.
    ​

  • Pick one of the available templates.
    ​

  • Click Create to save the new agent.
    ​

    • (optional) Customize the new agent.

Customize Agents

With your agent in place, you can now customize it:

  1. Open the Agents tab again and select your AI agent.
    ​

  2. Click ··· next to an agent and select ✏️ Edit agent from the list.

Interact with AI Agents

There are several ways you can use your custom AI agents.

Agent Chat
​

  • Navigate to the AI Agents tab.
    ​

  • Select your custom AI agent.

  • Click Chat and start a conversation.
    ​

  • Click Copy to save the output.

💡 Note: Type "/" to show the list of custom agent commands in the chat.

Custom Commands
​

  • Open a project in the workspace/app where you created the agent.
    ​

  • Type / + the name of your custom command, e.g. "/task breakdown"
    ​

    • You don't need to type the entire command.
      ​

  • Press ⌨️ Enter to execute the command.

Add-Ons Menu
​

  • Select a task or paragraph.
    ​

  • Click the ➕ Add-Ons button on the right ➡ 🤖 AI Agent.
    ​

  • Choose a custom agent command from the list.

Shared Agent Chats

  • Open the chat box (see the previous sections).
    ​

  • Choose an agent from the drop-down at the top.
    ​

  • (optional) Click Invite to invite people to the conversation.
    ​

  • Type a prompt to start a conversation.

💡 Note: When you start a shared AI chat, a tooltip at the bottom of the chat box will let you know if the chat is public or private, so you can see who has access.​ Read our guide to the AI Agent Chat for Teams to learn more.

Agent Responses

Use quick chat actions to make the most of conversations with your agents:

  • Click the ⨁ Plus button to add the output to:
    ​

    • ➕ An existing project
      ​

    • 📓 Agent knowledge

  • Click the 📑 Copy button to save the output to the clipboard.

Bulk Commands

You can apply custom commands to multiple tasks/paragraphs using multi-select.

  • Go to your project and select multiple tasks/paragraphs.
    ​

  • Click the 🤖 AI Agent button in the bottom toolbar.
    ​

  • Choose a custom command from the list.

Response Language

AI responds in the language of a prompt. You can change that in several ways:

  • Method 1: Use the language selector:
    ​

    • Select your agent in the Agents tab or use a template.
      ​

    • Navigate to the General tab.
      ​

    • Scroll down and click the Language drop-down.
      ​

    • Choose a language and click Update to save the changes.
      ​

  • Method 2: Specify language in the prompt:
    ​

    • e.g. "Respond in Spanish: What's the weather like in Madrid?"

  • Method 3: Provide context in the target language:
    ​

    • e.g. "¿Cómo está el clima en Madrid?"


Share AI Agents

Want to share your custom agent with your team? Here's how to get started.

Public Access

  • Navigate to the 🤖 AI Agents tab.
    ​

  • However the mouse cursor over an agent.
    ​

  • Click the Share agent button on the right.

  • Enable the Public access toggle.

  • Customize the public agent:
    ​

    • Mode: Choose the level of interactions with the agent.
      ​

    • Copy Knowledge: Decide if you want to share agent knowledge.
      ​

    • Hide Branding: Remove Taskade branding in the agent footer.
      ​

    • Chat Timeout: Enable to end public agent conversations after 5 minutes.
      ​

    • Require password: Add a password to your public agent.
      ​

    • Theme: Select light, dark, or automatic theme.
      ​

    • Background: Select or upload a custom background.
      ​

    • Meta Information: Customize how your agent appears when shared online.

  • Finally, you can copy the agent link or embed code:
    ​

    • Agent Share Link: Share this link to let anyone interact with your agent
      ​

    • Embed Code: Use this code snippet and embed the agent on your website.
      ​

    • Embed Widget: Seamlessly integrate your agent into your website.

Save Shared Agents

You can save any agent somebody shared with you:
​

  • Follow the link and click Copy agent (bottom-right corner).

  • Choose the workspace or app where you want to add the agent.

Copy Agent

You can copy your agents across workspaces and apps:

  • Create a custom agent following the steps in the previous sections.
    ​

  • Navigate to the 🤖 AI Agents tab and choose your custom AI agent.
    ​

  • Click the three dots ··· next to an agent.
    ​

  • Click Copy and select the target workspace/app.

  • Decide if you want the agent to retain its knowledge.
    ​

  • Select the target workspace/app.

Advanced Agent Actions

Have you already mastered the basics? Explore advanced agent workflows next.

Embed Agents in Genesis Apps

Want to embed your custom agent as a widget inside your Genesis apps. You can do this hands-free using EVE (Taskade Assistant Agent):

  • Open your app and open the EVE panel on the left.
    ​

  • Ask EVE to generate or select an agent.
    ​

  • Ask EVE to embed it in your app.
    ​

  • Adjust placement and edit the agent commands/knowledge in the Agents tab.

AI Agent Automation

You can use your custom AI agents and Taskade AI commands in automation flows to put your projects on autopilot.

  • Go to the Automations tab in your workspace or app.
    ​

  • Click the ➕ Add automation button.
    ​

    • (optional) Use one of the available templates.
      ​

  • Click ➕ Add Trigger and choose a trigger from the drop-down list.
    ​

  • Click ➕ Add Step and choose an action from the drop-down list.

Ask Agent

Uses a custom AI agent to respond.

Run Agent Command

Uses a specific AI agent command.

  • Choose your agent and/or a custom command.
    ​

  • Add the input you want the agent to process.

💡 Note: Visit our Automation Guide to learn more.

Multi-AI Agents

Scaling up your projects? Deploy multiple AI agents simultaneously, each with unique knowledge, skills, and role to play in your workflow.

💡 Note: Read the Multi-AI Agents guide to learn more.

  1. Select the first task you want your agent to work on.
    ​

  2. Type / + custom command associated with your agent.
    ​

    • You don't need to type the entire command.
      ​

  3. Press ⌨️ Enter to execute the command.
    ​

  4. Click anywhere in the project to minimize the agent window.
    ​

  5. Repeat steps 1-3 to assign the agent to additional tasks.
    ​

  6. Click the agent name underneath a task to see the results.

Customize Agent Introduction

Set your agent's introduction message displayed at the start of every interaction.

  1. Open the Agents tab (see the first section) and select your AI agent.
    ​

  2. Click ··· next to an agent and select ✏️ Edit agent from the list.
    ​

  3. Choose the General tab on the left and scroll down.
    ​

  4. Type the greeting message in the Introduction field.
    ​

  5. Click Update to save the changes.

AI Model Selection

Choosing the right AI model directly affects how your agent works. Some models are faster, some are smarter, and others balance both. Here's how to get started:

  • Open the AI Agents tab in your workspace (see the first section of this guide).
    ​

  • Hover the cursor over the agent you want to edit.
    ​

  • Click ··· next to an agent and select ✏️ Edit agent from the list.
    ​

  • Scroll down in the General tab.
    ​

  • Under AI Model, choose the AI model you want to use (see the table below).

Comparison of Agent Models

Model

Speed

Complexity

Best for

Pro (GPT-4o)

Medium

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Deep reasoning, accurate data analysis

Standard (GPT-4o mini)

Fast

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Balanced performance, good context handling

Pro (GPT-4.1)

Medium

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

High-end reasoning, coding, and task planning

Standard (GPT-4.1 mini)

Fast

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Complex workflows with fast responses

Basic (GPT-4.1 nano)

Very Fast

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Lightweight LLM usage, quick queries

Advanced (o4-mini)

Fast

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Fast processing for moderately complex tasks

Standard (o4-mini)

Very Fast

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Speed-priority tasks with decent reasoning

Basic (o4-mini)

Fastest

⭐⭐☆☆☆

Ultra-fast, low-load tasks

Advanced (o3-mini)

Fast

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Data-heavy tasks

Standard (o3-mini)

Very Fast

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Quick responses, simple tasks

Basic (o3-mini)

Fastest

⭐⭐☆☆☆

Minimal processing, fast for easy tasks

🧬 Helpful Links

Related Articles
EVE (Taskade Assistant Agent)
Autonomous AI Agents
Automations: The Execution Pillar
Custom AI Agents (Mobile)
Generate Content in Your Brand's Voice with Taskade AI Agents
Did this answer your question?