Expertise AI Knowledge Base

Getting Started with Playbooks

Learn what playbooks are, how they work, and when to use them

Last updated on October 27, 2025

What are Playbooks?

Playbooks are powerful, no-code workflows that give you complete control over how your AI agent behaves in specific scenarios. Think of them as step-by-step scripts that guide your agent through conversations.

Key Benefits

Custom Workflows: Design unique conversation flows tailored to your specific business needs
Lead Qualification: Systematically collect visitor information and route qualified leads to your CRM
Support Ticket Routing: Intelligently triage support requests and create tickets in your helpdesk
Live Chat Handoff: Seamlessly transfer conversations to human agents when needed, with scheduling support
Meeting Scheduling: Guide visitors through booking demos, consultations, or sales calls
Multi-Language Support: Write content in any language while using standardized tool syntax

How Playbooks Work

Playbooks work alongside your agent's general knowledge:
  • General Conversations: Your agent uses training materials to answer questions naturally
  • Playbook Activation: When a trigger phrase is detected, the playbook takes over
  • Guided Execution: The agent follows playbook steps precisely, using tools to collect info, create tickets, etc.
  • Return to Normal: After reaching the end, the agent returns to general conversation mode

Core Components

Every playbook consists of:
  1. Steps: Numbered instructions that execute sequentially
  1. Tools: Actions the agent takes (see tool reference below)
  1. Triggers: Phrases or conditions that activate the playbook
  1. Branching: Logic that creates different paths based on user responses
  1. Rules (optional): Domain-specific guidance for the agent

When to Use Playbooks

Use playbooks when you need:
  • Guaranteed, predictable behavior for high-value scenarios
  • Systematic information collection
  • CRM integration (creating contacts, tickets)
  • Meeting booking flows
  • Multi-step qualification logic
  • Live chat handoff with specific conditions
Don't use playbooks when:
  • Simple Q&A is sufficient
  • Flexibility is more important than consistency
  • The scenario happens rarely

Creating Your First Playbook

You have three options:

1. Quick Setup Wizard (Recommended for Beginners)

  • Answer a few questions about what you want
  • AI generates a complete playbook
  • Customize as needed
  • Takes 2-3 minutes

2. Templates

  • Start with pre-built examples
  • Modify for your use case
  • Great for learning structure

3. Start from Scratch

  • Full control over every detail
  • Best for advanced users
  • Requires understanding of syntax

Available Tools

These tools let you control what actions your playbook takes:
Tool
Purpose
Requirements
Ask questions to gather information
None
Display multiple-choice buttons
None
Output exact verbatim text
None
Retrieve from training materials
Training materials uploaded
End playbook execution
None
Display contact form
None
Share booking link
Calendar integration
Hand off to human agent
HubSpot + live chat
Create HubSpot/Salesforce tickets
CRM integration
Click any tool name above to see detailed documentation with examples.

Simple Example

Here's a basic lead capture playbook:
1. @ask_question: "What is your name?" 2. @ask_question: "What is your email address?" 3. @ask_question: "What is your company name?" 4. @mention_specifically: "Thank you! Someone from our team will reach out shortly." 5. @stop_playbook
This playbook:
  • Asks three questions in sequence
  • Thanks the visitor
  • Ends the playbook

Learn More

Understanding Structure:
Real-World Examples:
Writing Better Playbooks:
Troubleshooting:
Quick Lookup: