Build voice AI agents with ElevenLabs. Use when creating voice assistants, customer service bots, interactive voice characters, or any real-time voice conversation experience.
85
81%
Does it follow best practices?
Impact
94%
1.64xAverage score across 3 eval scenarios
Advisory
Suggest reviewing before use
Build voice AI agents with natural conversations, multiple LLM providers, custom tools, and easy web embedding.
Setup: See Installation Guide for CLI and SDK setup.
The ElevenLabs CLI is the recommended way to create and manage agents:
# Install CLI and authenticate
npm install -g @elevenlabs/cli
elevenlabs auth login
# Initialize project and create an agent
elevenlabs agents init
elevenlabs agents add "My Assistant" --template complete
# Push to ElevenLabs platform
elevenlabs agents pushAvailable templates: complete, minimal, voice-only, text-only, customer-service, assistant
from elevenlabs import ElevenLabs
client = ElevenLabs()
agent = client.conversational_ai.agents.create(
name="My Assistant",
enable_versioning=True,
conversation_config={
"agent": {
"first_message": "Hello! How can I help?",
"language": "en",
"prompt": {
"prompt": "You are a helpful assistant. Be concise and friendly.",
"llm": "gemini-2.0-flash",
"temperature": 0.7
}
},
"tts": {"voice_id": "JBFqnCBsd6RMkjVDRZzb"}
}
)import { ElevenLabsClient } from "@elevenlabs/elevenlabs-js";
const client = new ElevenLabsClient();
const agent = await client.conversationalAi.agents.create({
name: "My Assistant",
enableVersioning: true,
conversationConfig: {
agent: {
firstMessage: "Hello! How can I help?",
language: "en",
prompt: {
prompt: "You are a helpful assistant.",
llm: "gemini-2.0-flash",
temperature: 0.7
}
},
tts: { voiceId: "JBFqnCBsd6RMkjVDRZzb" }
}
});curl -X POST "https://api.elevenlabs.io/v1/convai/agents/create?enable_versioning=true" \
-H "xi-api-key: $ELEVENLABS_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"name": "My Assistant", "conversation_config": {"agent": {"first_message": "Hello!", "language": "en", "prompt": {"prompt": "You are helpful.", "llm": "gemini-2.0-flash"}}, "tts": {"voice_id": "JBFqnCBsd6RMkjVDRZzb"}}}'Until the ElevenLabs LiveKit server supports /rtc/v1, browser clients using WebRTC can fail or stall during the underlying LiveKit WebSocket handshake with livekit-client versions newer than 2.16.1. For React, Next.js, Electron, or other @elevenlabs/client / @elevenlabs/react integrations that use connectionType: "webrtc" or hit wss://livekit.rtc.elevenlabs.io/rtc/v1, add this temporary pin to package.json:
{
"overrides": {
"livekit-client": "2.16.1"
}
}Use the pin when the app logs /rtc/v1 404s, v1 RTC path not found, or could not establish pc connection during session startup. This is a LiveKit server compatibility workaround for WebRTC sessions, not the ElevenLabs connectionType: "websocket" transport. Remove it after the upstream LiveKit server or SDK issue is fixed.
Server-side (Python): Get signed URL for client connection:
signed_url = client.conversational_ai.conversations.get_signed_url(
agent_id="your-agent-id",
environment="staging",
)Client-side (JavaScript):
import { Conversation } from "@elevenlabs/client";
const conversation = await Conversation.startSession({
agentId: "your-agent-id",
environment: "staging",
onMessage: (msg) => console.log("Agent:", msg.message),
onUserTranscript: (t) => console.log("User:", t.message),
onError: (e) => console.error(e)
});React Hook: Wrap hook consumers in ConversationProvider. Prefer granular hooks such as
useConversationControls and useConversationStatus for session controls and UI state;
useConversation remains available as the convenience all-in-one hook. Pass provider-level
callbacks such as onError when you want React to handle conversation errors in one place.
import {
ConversationProvider,
useConversationControls,
useConversationStatus,
} from "@elevenlabs/react";
function Agent({ signedUrl }: { signedUrl: string }) {
const { startSession, endSession } = useConversationControls();
const { status } = useConversationStatus();
if (status === "connected") {
return <button onClick={endSession}>End conversation</button>;
}
return (
<button onClick={() => startSession({ signedUrl })}>
Start conversation
</button>
);
}
function App({ signedUrl }: { signedUrl: string }) {
return (
<ConversationProvider
onError={(error) => console.error("Conversation error:", error)}
>
<Agent signedUrl={signedUrl} />
</ConversationProvider>
);
}| Provider | Models |
|---|---|
| OpenAI | gpt-5.5, gpt-5.5-2026-04-23, gpt-5.4, gpt-5.4-mini, gpt-5.4-nano, gpt-5.4-2026-03-05, gpt-5.4-mini-2026-03-17, gpt-5.4-nano-2026-03-17, gpt-5, gpt-5-mini, gpt-5-nano, gpt-4.1, gpt-4.1-mini, gpt-4.1-nano, gpt-4o, gpt-4o-mini, gpt-4-turbo |
| Anthropic | claude-opus-4-7, claude-sonnet-4-6, claude-sonnet-4-5, claude-sonnet-4, claude-haiku-4-5, claude-3-7-sonnet, claude-3-5-sonnet, claude-3-haiku |
gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview, gemini-3.1-pro-preview, gemini-3-pro-preview, gemini-3-flash-preview, gemini-2.5-flash, gemini-2.5-flash-lite, gemini-2.0-flash, gemini-2.0-flash-lite | |
| ElevenLabs | glm-45-air-fp8, qwen3-30b-a3b, qwen36-35b-a3b, qwen35-35b-a3b, qwen35-397b-a17b, gpt-oss-120b |
| Custom | custom-llm (bring your own endpoint) |
Use GET /v1/convai/llm/list to inspect the current model catalog, including deprecation state, token/context limits, capability flags such as image-input support, and model-specific reasoning effort support.
Popular voices: JBFqnCBsd6RMkjVDRZzb (George), EXAVITQu4vr4xnSDxMaL (Sarah), onwK4e9ZLuTAKqWW03F9 (Daniel), XB0fDUnXU5powFXDhCwa (Charlotte)
Turn eagerness: patient (waits longer for user to finish), normal, or eager (responds quickly)
See Agent Configuration for all options.
Section the prompt with markdown headings — the model prioritizes and interprets instructions more reliably (prompting guide):
# Personality – named character, 2-3 traits
# Environment – where they work, who they talk to
# Tone – vocal style as 4-5 bullets
# Goal – what success looks like (numbered for multi-step flows)Keep instructions short and action-based. Mark critical steps with "This step is important." For critical refusal/safety rules, include concise instructions in the prompt and also configure independent custom Guardrails via platform_settings.guardrails (see Guardrails).
Extend agents with webhook, client, or built-in system tools. Tools are defined inside conversation_config.agent.prompt:
Workspace environment variables can resolve per-environment server tool URLs, headers, and auth connections, and runtime system variables such as {{system__conversation_history}} can pass full conversation context into tool calls when needed.
"prompt": {
"prompt": "You are a helpful assistant that can check the weather.",
"llm": "gemini-2.0-flash",
"tools": [
# Webhook: server-side API call
{"type": "webhook", "name": "get_weather", "description": "Get weather",
"api_schema": {"url": "https://api.example.com/weather", "method": "POST",
"request_body_schema": {"type": "object", "properties": {"location": {"type": "string"}}, "required": ["location"]}}},
# Client: runs in the browser
{"type": "client", "name": "show_product", "description": "Display a product",
"parameters": {"type": "object", "properties": {"productId": {"type": "string"}}, "required": ["productId"]}}
],
"built_in_tools": {
"end_call": {},
"transfer_to_number": {"transfers": [{"transfer_destination": {"type": "phone", "phone_number": "+1234567890"}, "condition": "User asks for human support"}]}
}
}Client tools run in browser:
clientTools: {
show_product: async ({ productId }) => {
document.getElementById("product").src = `/products/${productId}`;
return { success: true };
}
}See Client Tools Reference for complete documentation.
Set under conversation_config.agent.prompt.built_in_tools. {} enables defaults; provide description to customize; omit to disable.
| Tool | Enable for |
|---|---|
end_call | All agents |
language_detection | Multilingual agents |
transfer_to_number | Phone-based human escalation |
transfer_to_agent | Multi-agent workflows |
skip_turn | Tutoring / coaching (silent listening) |
voicemail_detection | Outbound calling |
play_keypad_touch_tone | IVR navigation |
Pre-built connectors managed by the platform. Create a connection with credentials, then attach via tool_ids:
| Integration | Use case |
|---|---|
calcom | Scheduling appointments |
salesforce | CRM lookups, case creation |
hubspot | CRM, marketing, contacts |
zendesk | Support ticketing |
Three-step flow: POST /v1/convai/api-integrations/{id}/connections → GET /v1/convai/api-integrations/{id}/tools → POST /v1/convai/tools with api_integration_id and api_integration_connection_id. Attach to the agent with "prompt": {"tool_ids": ["tool_xxxx"]}. Inline tools and tool_ids can coexist — prefer an integration over a duplicate custom webhook.
No-auth APIs useful for prototypes (URLs must be HTTPS):
| Tool | URL | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
get_weather | https://wttr.in/{location}?format=j1 | Current weather |
search_wikipedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/api/rest_v1/page/summary/{topic} | Topic summary |
get_exchange_rate | https://open.er-api.com/v6/latest/{base_currency} | FX rates |
Route conversations through discrete steps with branching logic. Define under the agent's top-level workflow field. Reference: Agent Workflows.
Node types: start (ID must be "start_node"), end, override_agent (subagent step with label + additional_prompt), dispatch_tool (executes a tool with success/failure routing), agent_transfer, transfer_to_number.
Edge types: unconditional, llm (natural-language condition), expression (deterministic data check). Tool nodes have separate success/failure edges.
Scope tools per step with additional_tool_ids on a node — prevents the wrong tool firing at the wrong step. Set additional_tool_ids: [] on conversational routing nodes such as greeting and classify_intent so they only converse:
{
"type": "override_agent",
"label": "Book Appointment",
"additional_prompt": "Discuss preferred dates and doctors. Show the booking form once agreed.",
"additional_tool_ids": ["show_booking_form", "display_appointment_card"],
"position": {"x": 0, "y": 400}
}Include position ({x, y}) on every node so the editor renders cleanly. Start at y=0, put end at the bottom, and space branches horizontally at x=-150 and x=150; suggested spacing is 200px vertical between levels and 300px horizontal between branches. Keep workflows to 4-7 nodes and always have a path to end.
Layered safety enforcement that runs independently of the LLM — configured under platform_settings.guardrails, not in the system prompt. Reference: Guardrails.
"platform_settings": {
"guardrails": {
"version": "1",
"focus": {"is_enabled": true},
"prompt_injection": {"is_enabled": true},
"content": {"config": {"harassment": {"is_enabled": true, "threshold": 0.5}}},
"custom": {
"config": {
"configs": [{
"is_enabled": true,
"name": "No medical diagnoses",
"prompt": "Block the agent from providing medical diagnoses or treatment advice.",
"execution_mode": "blocking",
"trigger_action": {"type": "retry", "feedback": "Reason: {{trigger_reason}}"}
}]
}
}
}
}Types: focus (on-topic), prompt_injection (manipulation defense), content (category filters), custom (LLM-evaluated domain rules). Content categories include harassment, profanity, sexual, violence, self_harm, and medical_and_legal_information — threshold range 0.0–1.0 (default 0.3). Custom rules use execution_mode: "blocking" with a trigger_action (e.g., retry with feedback). Custom guardrails evaluate in parallel and fail-open.
Per vertical: healthcare/finance/legal → enable medical_and_legal_information; education/youth → sexual/violence/self_harm/profanity; support/sales → harassment/profanity. All agents benefit from focus + prompt_injection + 2-4 custom rules.
Three test types via POST /v1/convai/agent-testing/create, then attached with PATCH on the agent. Reference: Agent Testing.
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
llm | Scenario test — does the agent respond appropriately to a message? |
tool | Tool-call test — right tool, right parameters? |
simulation | Multi-turn flow with a simulated user persona |
// Tool-call test (snake_case throughout; chat_history role is "user" or "agent")
{
"name": "Books with correct doctor and date",
"type": "tool",
"chat_history": [
{"role": "user", "message": "Dr. Smith on March 5 at 2pm", "time_in_call_secs": 10}
],
"tool_call_parameters": {
"referenced_tool": {"id": "show_booking_form", "type": "client"},
"parameters": [
{"path": "doctor_name", "eval": {"type": "llm", "description": "Should reference Dr. Smith"}},
{"path": "date", "eval": {"type": "regex", "pattern": "2025-03-05|March 5"}}
]
}
}Eval strategies: exact, regex, llm. Attach via PATCH:
curl -s -X PATCH "https://api.elevenlabs.io/v1/convai/agents/{agent_id}" \
-H "xi-api-key: $ELEVENLABS_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"platform_settings": {"testing": {"attached_tests": [{"test_id": "test_xxxx"}]}}}'<elevenlabs-convai agent-id="your-agent-id"></elevenlabs-convai>
<script src="https://unpkg.com/@elevenlabs/convai-widget-embed" async type="text/javascript"></script>Customize with attributes: avatar-image-url, action-text, start-call-text, end-call-text.
See Widget Embedding Reference for all options.
Make outbound phone calls using your agent via Twilio integration:
response = client.conversational_ai.twilio.outbound_call(
agent_id="your-agent-id",
agent_phone_number_id="your-phone-number-id",
to_number="+1234567890",
call_recording_enabled=True
)
print(f"Call initiated: {response.conversation_id}")const response = await client.conversationalAi.twilio.outboundCall({
agentId: "your-agent-id",
agentPhoneNumberId: "your-phone-number-id",
toNumber: "+1234567890",
callRecordingEnabled: true,
});curl -X POST "https://api.elevenlabs.io/v1/convai/twilio/outbound-call" \
-H "xi-api-key: $ELEVENLABS_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"agent_id": "your-agent-id", "agent_phone_number_id": "your-phone-number-id", "to_number": "+1234567890", "call_recording_enabled": true}'See Outbound Calls Reference for configuration overrides and dynamic variables.
# List agents and check status
elevenlabs agents list
elevenlabs agents status
# Import agents from platform to local config
elevenlabs agents pull # Import all agents
elevenlabs agents pull --agent <agent-id> # Import specific agent
# Push local changes to platform
elevenlabs agents push # Upload configurations
elevenlabs agents push --dry-run # Preview changes first
# Add tools
elevenlabs tools add-webhook "Weather API"
elevenlabs tools add-client "UI Tool"The CLI creates a project structure for managing agents:
your_project/
├── agents.json # Agent definitions
├── tools.json # Tool configurations
├── tests.json # Test configurations
├── agent_configs/ # Individual agent configs
├── tool_configs/ # Individual tool configs
└── test_configs/ # Individual test configs# List
agents = client.conversational_ai.agents.list()
# Get
agent = client.conversational_ai.agents.get(agent_id="your-agent-id")
# Update (partial - only include fields to change)
client.conversational_ai.agents.update(agent_id="your-agent-id", name="New Name")
client.conversational_ai.agents.update(agent_id="your-agent-id",
conversation_config={
"agent": {"prompt": {"prompt": "New instructions", "llm": "claude-sonnet-4"}}
})
# Delete
client.conversational_ai.agents.delete(agent_id="your-agent-id")See Agent Configuration for all configuration options and SDK examples.
try:
agent = client.conversational_ai.agents.create(...)
except Exception as e:
print(f"API error: {e}")Common errors: 401 (invalid key), 404 (not found), 422 (invalid config), 429 (rate limit)
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