Chatbot settings
In one sentence
This is where you switch the AI assistant on or off and choose the engine behind it — your own AI key or MsgBuddy’s managed AI.
The three modes
From Settings → Chatbot:
| Mode | What it means |
|---|---|
| Off | No AI replies. Use rules, flows, and humans only. |
| Use my own key | Bring an API key from Anthropic or Google; you pick the model and pay your provider. |
| Use MsgBuddy AI | Fully managed — nothing to set up. Usage is metered on your plan. |
Bring your own key
If you choose Use my own key, you’ll set:
- Provider — Anthropic or Google.
- Model — which AI model to use.
- API key — from your provider account.
- System prompt — the assistant’s instructions and personality.
With your own key, AI usage bills through your provider account, and you control the exact model. With MsgBuddy AI, there’s nothing to configure and usage is counted under your MsgBuddy Usage. The assistant behaves the same either way.
Connect your knowledge base
Whichever engine you pick, the assistant answers best when it can read your documents. Link your knowledge base so replies are grounded in your real information.
Write a tight system prompt: who the assistant is, what it may talk about, and when to hand off to a human. A good one prevents the assistant from wandering off-topic or guessing.
How this connects
- The full explanation of the assistant and knowledge base is in Automation → AI assistant.
- When the assistant may reply is governed by Who answers?.
Next: the irreversible actions — danger zone →.