Ship your first AI reply in 10 minutes
This walk-through takes you from zero to a working AI agent answering WhatsApp messages. It covers registration, adding an OpenAI (or Claude/Gemini/GLM) key, creating an agent, connecting a channel, and testing.
#What you need before you start
- An email address you can receive a verification code at.
- An API key from one AI provider — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, or Z.ai (GLM). You can add more later.
- A WhatsApp Business phone number ready to scan a QR code or an Instagram Business account.
If you only want to try the platform without connecting a real channel, you can build and test an agent in the built-in Sandbox — no channel required.
#Step 1 — Create your account
Register at chatbot.tural.ai
Open https://chatbot.tural.ai/register, enter your name, email, and password. Confirm the verification code sent to your email.
You're dropped into your workspace
Your first workspace is created automatically. Every resource — channels, agents, contacts, automations — belongs to this workspace. You can invite teammates later from /dashboard/admin/users.
#Step 2 — Add an AI provider key
Agents need a model to run against. Open /dashboard/ai/providers and add a key for at least one provider. Keys are stored per workspace — every agent in the workspace can use any configured provider.
Get an API key
Follow the provider's dashboard link below and copy a fresh API key. You only need one to get started — most people begin with OpenAI (gpt-5) or Anthropic (claude-opus-4-7).
- OpenAI:
platform.openai.com/api-keys - Anthropic:
console.anthropic.com/settings/keys - Google Gemini:
aistudio.google.com/apikey - Z.ai (GLM):
z.ai/manage-apikey/apikey-list
Paste it into AI Providers
Pick the provider, paste the key, and hit Save. The next dropdown lets you pick which models this key can serve — leave the defaults or trim to the ones you actually plan to use.
#Step 3 — Create your first agent
Open AI Agents
Go to /dashboard/ai/agents → New agent.
Fill in the basics
- Name: something short (e.g. “Support Bot”).
- Provider: pick the one you added above.
- Model: pick your favourite —
gpt-5,claude-opus-4-7,gemini-2.5-pro,glm-4.6. - Timezone: pick the one your customers are in (e.g.
Asia/Baku). This drives the{{date}}/{{time}}placeholders.
Write a system prompt
The system prompt shapes the agent's voice, scope, and rules. Start simple:
You are the support assistant for Acme Coffee, a small speciality-coffee shop in Baku.
Speak in the customer's language (Azerbaijani, Russian, or English). Keep replies under two short sentences unless the customer asks for details.
Today is {{day}}, {{date}} at {{time}} ({{timezone}}). The customer is chatting via {{channel}}.
Rules:
- Answer product, price, and opening-hours questions.
- Never invent stock information — if you don't know, say you'll check with the team.
- For orders, ask for the customer's address and confirm.The {{placeholders}} get replaced with real values every time the agent answers. Full list on the Agents page.
Save and test
Hit Save. Now open the built-in Sandbox tab and type a message as if you were a customer. The agent replies live using the same code that will handle real messages.
#Step 4 — Connect a channel
An agent alone doesn't receive customer messages. You need to link at least one channel. Pick whichever is easier:
WhatsApp (fastest — no Meta approval needed)
Open WhatsApp
Go to /dashboard/whatsapp → Add instance. Give it a name like “Support number”.
Scan the QR
A QR appears. On your phone, open WhatsApp → Settings → Linked Devices → Link a device and scan the QR. Status flips to Connected within a couple of seconds.
Bind the agent
On the instance card, set Primary agent to the agent you created. From now on every message this number receives goes through the agent.
Instagram (needs a Business/Creator account)
See Channels → Instagram for the full OAuth walk-through.
#Step 5 — Send a real message
From another WhatsApp account, send a message to your connected number. Watch the reply arrive within seconds.
Every conversation shows up in real time in the shared inbox at /dashboard/inbox. Human teammates can jump in whenever they want — the agent respects the takeover automatically.
#What's next?
- Enable skills — give the agent memory, CRM tools, or a Google Calendar.
- Build an automation — trigger on keywords or comments and branch on quick-reply buttons.
- Add more channels — Instagram DMs, comments, or click-to-message Facebook Ads.