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The Start stage is the entry point for every conversation flow. It determines how the call begins and who speaks first.

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Overview

Every flow agent must have exactly one Start node. It’s automatically created when you create a new agent and cannot be deleted.
The Start node is colored green to indicate it’s the entry point of your flow.

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Configuration

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Speaker First

Determines who initiates the conversation:
OptionBehavior
AgentThe AI speaks first with the greeting message
CallerThe AI waits for the caller to speak first
Best for:
  • Inbound calls where you want to greet callers
  • Professional/business contexts
  • When you need to set expectations immediately
"Thank you for calling Acme Corp. How can I help you today?"

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Greeting Message

The initial message the agent speaks when Agent is set to speak first.
If Caller speaks first, the greeting message is ignored.
Tips for effective greetings:
  • Keep it concise (under 20 words)
  • State who you are
  • Invite the caller to state their needs
  • Match your brand’s tone
Examples: 
// Professional
"Good morning, thank you for calling Acme Support. How may I assist you?"

// Friendly
"Hi there! Thanks for calling. What can I help you with today?"

// Direct
"Acme Sales, how can I help?"

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Transitions

The Start node supports these transition types:
TypeTriggerUse Case
Any MessageCaller says anythingWhen caller speaks first
ImmediateAfter greeting playsWhen agent speaks first

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Connecting to Next Stage

  1. Click the handle at the bottom of the Start node
  2. Drag to the target handle of your next stage (usually a Conversation node)
  3. The transition type is automatically set based on your Speaker First setting

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Example Configurations

Speaker First: Agent
Greeting: "Thank you for calling Acme Support.
           My name is Alex. How can I help you today?"
Connects to → Conversation node for handling inquiries
Speaker First: Agent
Greeting: "Hi! You've reached Dr. Smith's office.
           Are you calling to schedule an appointment?"
Connects to → Data Extraction node for collecting patient info
Speaker First: Agent
Greeting: "Welcome to Acme Corp.
           For sales, say 'sales'.
           For support, say 'support'.
           For billing, say 'billing'."
Connects to → If/Else node for routing based on response

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Best Practices

Match Your Brand Voice

Your greeting sets the tone. A law firm might use formal language while a casual brand can be more relaxed.

Keep It Short

Long greetings frustrate callers. Aim for under 5 seconds of speech.

Set Expectations

Let callers know they’re speaking with an AI if required by your use case or regulations.

Test Both Paths

Test with both agent-first and caller-first scenarios to ensure smooth handoffs.

Conversation Stage

The typical next stage after Start

Transitions

Learn about transition types