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Prerequisites

All you need to get started:
  • A TalkifAI account — free to create
  • A microphone-enabled browser (Chrome or Edge recommended) — for testing voice agents `
When you sign up, TalkifAI automatically creates a default organization for you and adds free trial credits to your account. No API keys or credit card required to start.

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Step 1: Create Your First Agent

1

Open Agent Builder

In the Studio sidebar, click Agents → Create Agent.
Agents dashboard
2

Choose Architecture

Select the agent type based on what you need:
Create agent — architecture selection
TypeBest For
PipelineVoice agent — mix-and-match STT, LLM, TTS providers
RealtimeVoice agent — lowest latency (OpenAI/Gemini native)
TextChat only — website chatbot, no microphone needed
Not sure? Start with Pipeline — it’s the most flexible and works great for most use cases.
3

Configure the Agent

Fill in the basics:
  • Name: e.g., “Customer Support Bot”
  • System Prompt: Instructions for your agent’s behavior and personality
  • LLM Model: GPT-4o, Gemini 1.5 Pro, Claude, etc.
  • Voice: Choose a TTS voice (Cartesia, ElevenLabs, OpenAI TTS)
  • Language: Select the spoken language
4

Test in Browser

Click Test Agent to start a live voice conversation directly in your browser. No phone number required — your trial credits cover the test session.
5

Activate

Click Activate to make the agent live. You can now connect a phone number, embed it as a chat widget, or call it via API.

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Step 2: Add Your Own API Keys (Optional)

By default, TalkifAI uses its own platform keys — you don’t need to bring your own to get started. When you’re ready for production or want full control:
  1. Go to Settings → Provider Keys
  2. Set your Key Mode:
    • Platform Keys — TalkifAI’s built-in keys, billed from your credits (default)
    • My Keys — Your own provider keys, billed directly by the provider
    • Hybrid — Your keys with platform keys as fallback
  3. Enter your provider keys (OpenAI, Google, Deepgram, Cartesia, etc.)

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Step 3: Make Your First API Call

Once your agent is active, you can trigger outbound calls programmatically.

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Get Your API Key

  1. Go to Settings → API Keys
  2. Click Create API Key
  3. Give it a name (e.g., “My First Key”)
  4. Copy it immediately — it won’t be shown again

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Start an Outbound Call

curl -X POST https://api.talkifai.dev/v1/calls \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "agentId": "your-agent-id",
    "to": "+12025550123"
  }'

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Response

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "callId": "call_abc123",
    "status": "initiating",
    "agentId": "your-agent-id",
    "to": "+12025550123",
    "createdAt": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z"
  }
}
To make outbound calls you need a phone number connected to your agent. See Telephony Setup →

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Next Steps

Connect a Phone Number

Set up inbound and outbound calling with your carrier.

Add Custom Functions

Give your agent access to your APIs and databases.

Run Batch Campaigns

Automate outbound calls at scale.

Explore the API

Full REST API reference for developers.