Build a Chat Assistant
Create a chat assistant backed by any LLM provider.
Build a Chat Assistant
This guide walks you through creating a simple assistant that can hold multi-turn conversations — the foundation for all other OpenAgent capabilities.
Outcome: A functional chat UI where you can send messages and receive AI responses.
Prerequisites
- OpenAgent is running and you have access to the Admin UI.
- An API key for a model provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, etc.).
Step 1: Connect a Model Provider
First, give OpenAgent access to an LLM "brain".
Navigate to Providers → Add Provider.
Configure the provider:
- Category: Select
Model. - Type: Choose your provider (e.g.,
OpenAI,DeepSeek,Anthropic). - Provider URL: (Optional) For local models or proxies.
- API Key: Enter your secret key.
- Sub Type: Enter a model ID supported by the provider (e.g.,
gpt-4.1,deepseek-v4-flash).
Click Save.
Step 2: Initialize your Agent (Store)
In OpenAgent, an agent's identity and configuration are stored in a Store.
Navigate to Stores → Add Store.
Configure the core settings:
- Name: A unique internal ID (e.g.,
my-assistant). - Display Name: The name users will see in the chat header.
- Model Provider: Select the provider you created in Step 1.
- System Prompt: Define how your agent should behave.
Example:
You are a helpful assistant. Keep your answers concise and professional.Click Save.
Step 3: Start Chatting
Click the Chat icon in the sidebar or the chat button next to your Store.
Select your agent from the dropdown and send a test message.
Milestone Reached: You now have a functional chat assistant backed by your chosen LLM.