Summary
You can hand a chatbot conversation to an AI agent using either the Astra AI Agent node or the Custom AI Agent node.
Astra AI Agent: Hands the conversation to an agent from your Astra account.
Custom AI Agent: Hands the conversation to an AI agent you connected yourself through Connect AI Agents.
Both nodes end the chatbot flow and take over the conversation. They are available on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger.
Availability
The Astra AI Agent node is available on all plans. You need a connected Astra account with at least one agent to use it.
We're rolling out this feature in phases. If you don't see it yet, it will be enabled for your account soon. If you'd like to enable the feature sooner, contact our Support team for assistance.
The Custom AI Agent node requires Custom AI Agents to be enabled for your account. If you do not see the node or cannot connect an agent, contact Wati support to check your plan.
Instructions
How to connect an AI agent to a chatbot flow
1. Connect an Astra AI Agent
Use the Astra AI Agent node to hand the conversation to an agent from your Astra account.
Prerequisite: You need a connected Astra account with at least one AI agent.
Open your chatbot in the flow builder.
In the left panel, click Use an AI Node.
Click Astra AI Agent and drag it onto the canvas.
In the right panel, open Select an agent and choose your Astra AI Agent.
Save and publish the chatbot.
2. Connect a Custom AI Agent
Use the Custom AI Agent node to hand the conversation to an AI agent you connected yourself through Connect AI Agents feature.
Open your chatbot in the flow builder.
In the left panel, click Use an AI Node.
Click Custom AI Agent and drag it onto the canvas.
In the right panel, open Select an agent and choose your connected AI agent.
Save and publish the chatbot.
The steps are the same for both nodes. The difference is the agents available in Select an agent:
Astra AI Agent shows agents from your Astra account.
Custom AI Agent shows AI agents you connected yourself.
How the AI agent nodes work
Both Astra AI Agent and Custom AI Agent behave in the same way:
The chatbot ends when the conversation reaches the AI agent node.
The nodes have no output paths, so nothing runs after them in the chatbot flow.
Neither node can be the first node in a chatbot. Add a message, question, or another node before the AI agent node.
You can add any number of AI agent nodes to a chatbot.
Both nodes work on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger.
Which AI agent node to use?
Use Astra AI Agent if you want to hand the conversation to an agent from your Astra account.
Use Custom AI Agent if you want to hand the conversation to an AI agent you connected yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
AI Agent Nodes
1. What is the difference between the Astra AI Agent and Custom AI Agent nodes?
The Astra AI Agent node hands the conversation to an agent from your Astra account. The Custom AI Agent node hands the conversation to an AI agent you connected yourself through the Connect AI Agents feature.
2. Which plans support the Astra AI Agent node?
The Astra AI Agent node is available on all plans. You need a connected Astra account with at least one AI agent to use it.
3. What is required to use the Custom AI Agent node?
Custom AI Agents must be enabled for your account. If you do not see the Custom AI Agent node or cannot connect an agent, contact Wati support to check your plan.
4. What happens when a chatbot reaches an AI agent node?
When a chatbot reaches either the Astra AI Agent or Custom AI Agent node, the chatbot flow ends and the selected AI agent takes over the conversation. Both nodes have no output paths, so nothing runs after the AI agent node.
5. Can an AI agent node be the first node in a chatbot?
No. Neither the Astra AI Agent nor Custom AI Agent node can be the first node in a chatbot. Add a message, question, or another node before the AI agent node.
6. How many AI agent nodes can I add to a chatbot?
You can add any number of Astra AI Agent and Custom AI Agent nodes to a chatbot.
7. Which channels support the Astra AI Agent and Custom AI Agent nodes?
Both the Astra AI Agent and Custom AI Agent nodes work on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger.