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

# Environment

> Configure ambient sounds and audio effects

Environment settings add ambient audio to make conversations feel more natural and professional. Configure background sounds and thinking indicators.

## Background Ambience

Add subtle background audio to create a realistic atmosphere:

### Available Sounds

| Sound         | Description                                                |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| `office`      | Typical office background (keyboard, distant conversation) |
| `call-center` | Busy call center atmosphere                                |
| `cafe`        | Coffee shop ambient noise                                  |
| `quiet`       | Very subtle room tone                                      |
| `none`        | Complete silence                                           |

### Configuration

```yaml theme={null}
Background Ambience:
  Enabled: true
  Sound: "office"
  Volume: 25  # 0-100
```

<Tip>
  Keep background volume low (15-30). It should be barely noticeable.
</Tip>

### When to Use

| Use Case               | Recommended Sound   |
| ---------------------- | ------------------- |
| Professional support   | `office` or `quiet` |
| Busy call center feel  | `call-center`       |
| Casual/friendly brands | `cafe`              |
| Formal/legal contexts  | `quiet` or `none`   |

## Thinking Sound

Audio feedback while the AI processes responses:

### Purpose

* Indicates the agent is working on a response
* Reduces perceived wait time
* Prevents awkward silence

### Configuration

```yaml theme={null}
Thinking Sound:
  Enabled: true
  Sound: "subtle-click"
  Volume: 20
```

### Available Sounds

| Sound          | Description            |
| -------------- | ---------------------- |
| `subtle-click` | Light keyboard sounds  |
| `soft-beep`    | Gentle processing beep |
| `typing`       | Typing sounds          |
| `none`         | Silent processing      |

## Complete Example

Full environment configuration:

```yaml theme={null}
Environment:
  Background:
    Enabled: true
    Sound: "office"
    Volume: 25

  Thinking:
    Enabled: true
    Sound: "subtle-click"
    Volume: 20
```

## Best Practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Less is More" icon="volume-low">
    Ambient sounds should be subtle. If callers notice it, it's too loud.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Match Brand" icon="building">
    A law firm might use `quiet`, while a startup might prefer `cafe`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Test on Phone" icon="phone">
    Audio sounds different through phone lines. Always test.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Consider Context" icon="lightbulb">
    Disable background for sensitive conversations (medical, financial).
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## When to Disable

Consider disabling ambient sounds for:

* Medical or healthcare calls
* Financial services
* Legal consultations
* Any context where professionalism requires silence
* International calls (added latency concerns)

```yaml theme={null}
# Clean, silent environment
Environment:
  Background:
    Enabled: false
  Thinking:
    Enabled: false
```

## Testing Environment

1. Open **Test Call**
2. Have a conversation
3. Listen for:
   * Background audio level
   * Thinking sound timing
   * Overall audio quality
4. Adjust volumes as needed

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Voice Settings" icon="microphone" href="/agent-config/voice-settings">
    Configure voice and speech
  </Card>

  <Card title="Global Settings" icon="gear" href="/agent-builder/global-settings">
    All agent-wide settings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Test Call" icon="phone" href="/test-agent/test-call">
    Test environment settings
  </Card>
</CardGroup>