Custom agents
Create reusable agent configurations to share best practices across your team
Create custom agents when you need consistent, repeatable output across your team. Custom agents let you define structure, themes, and instructions that everyone in your workspace can use.
When to create a custom agent
Custom agents are an advanced feature for teams that need:
- Consistent structure - Same slide count and topics every time (e.g., "12 slides with these specific sections")
- Brand control - Specific templates, colors, and layouts that match your brand
- Shared best practices - Instructions that produce reliable, on-brand output for any team member
- Repeatable workflows - Standard deliverables that multiple people create regularly
For most users, the default Presentation Maker with a good prompt is all you need. Custom agents add value when you're creating the same type of deliverable repeatedly.
How to create a custom agent
- Browse the agents in your workspace (select Select agent dropdown)
- Find an agent close to what you need
- Hover over the agent and select Duplicate
- A new agent called "New Custom Agent" appears in your workspace
- Select the new agent and edit it to customize the name, description, and instructions
- Save your changes
Your custom agent is now available to everyone in your workspace.
What you can customize
Name
Give your agent a clear, descriptive name that helps your team understand its purpose. For example, "Q4 Board Deck" or "Client Pitch - Financial Services".
Description
Add a short description explaining when to use this agent and what kind of output it produces. This helps team members choose the right agent for their needs.
Instructions
Write instructions that are combined with the user's prompt every time the agent runs. This is a good place to store:
- Brand guidelines - Voice, tone, terminology, and messaging standards
- Structure requirements - Standard sections, slide counts, or content flow
- Content rules - What to include, exclude, or emphasize
- Style preferences - How to present data, level of detail, or formatting conventions
Instructions work alongside the user's prompt, so you don't need to repeat project-specific details that users will provide themselves.
Using variables in instructions
You can use {{variable_name}} placeholders anywhere in your agent instructions. When a team member generates using the agent, a configuration dialog will appear asking them to fill in values for each variable before generating. The values are saved to the project and reused automatically on subsequent runs.
For example:
Create a {{page_count}}-page CIM for {{company_name}} targeting {{buyer_type}} buyers. Use a {{tone}} tone throughout.
When someone generates with this agent, they'll be prompted to fill in "Company Name", "Page Count", "Buyer Type", and "Tone" — turning your agent into a simple form for your team.
Variable names can use letters and underscores. They're converted to readable labels automatically (company_name → "Company Name"). This works for both presentation agents and document agents.
Starter prompts (document agents only)
For custom document agents, you can add a library of starter prompts — pre-written instructions for common tasks your team runs repeatedly. They appear as clickable cards below the prompt field and load the prompt with one click.
This is useful for standardizing how your team phrases requests — for example, a consistent "Generate investment memo" prompt that always follows your firm's preferred structure and terminology. See starter prompts for how they work.
Using custom agents
Custom agents appear at the top of the agent list in your workspace, marked with a custom badge. They're available in all projects within your workspace.
Start with an agent that's close to what you need, then customize it. This is faster than building from scratch.
Custom agents vs. good prompts
| Use a good prompt when... | Use a custom agent when... |
|---|---|
| One-off or occasional decks | Same deliverable type weekly or monthly |
| You're the only one creating it | Multiple team members create it |
| Requirements vary each time | Structure should be identical each time |
| Testing different approaches | You've found an approach that works |
Custom agents vs. custom templates
Custom agents control the AI's behavior — structure, tone, and content rules. Custom PowerPoint templates control the visual design — slide layouts, fonts, colors, and logos. Enterprise teams often use both together: a custom agent for consistent content, and a custom template for consistent branding.
Need help creating a custom agent?
Our team can help you build custom agents tailored to your workflow. Book a call to discuss your requirements and get assistance setting up agents that work for your team.