> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.asteragents.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Build your first agent in under 5 minutes

## Getting Started with Aster Agents

Learn how to connect your first AI model, create an agent, and start chatting.

### 1. Connect a Model Provider

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="key" title="Get your API Key">
    Before creating agents, you'll need to connect at least one AI model provider. Choose from:

    * OpenAI
    * Anthropic
    * Google AI (Generative AI or Vertex AI)
    * Azure OpenAI
    * AWS Bedrock
    * xAI
    * Fireworks AI

    Visit your chosen provider's website to get your API credentials.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="plug" title="Configure the Connection">
    1. Navigate to the [Providers page](https://www.asteragents.com/control-hub/providers)
    2. Click on your preferred provider
    3. Enter your API credentials
    4. Click "Save Connection"

    Your connection status will update to show that you're ready to create agents.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### 2. Create Your First Agent

<Note>
  **Permissions Required:** You need organization admin or agent manager permissions to create agents. Learn more about [roles and permissions](/settings/roles-permissions).
</Note>

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="robot" title="Basic Configuration">
    1. Go to the [Agents page](https://www.asteragents.com/control-hub)
    2. Click "New Agent"
    3. Fill in the basic details:
       * Name your agent
       * Add a description
       * Select your connected model
       * Choose tools to enable
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="screwdriver-wrench" title="Enable Tools">
    Enhance your agent's capabilities by enabling tools:

    * **Web Search**: Let your agent search the internet for up-to-date information
    * **URL Scraping**: Allow your agent to read and analyze web pages
    * **API Calls**: Enable your agent to interact with external APIs
    * **Call Other Agents**: Let your agent collaborate with other agents

    **Read File**, **Run Code**, and **Load Skill** are pre-checked on every new agent — see [Default-on tools](/features/build-an-agent#default-on-tools). Uncheck them like any other tool.

    Additional tools like database access and email sending can be enabled after connecting the required integrations.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="wand-magic-sparkles" title="Add Instructions">
    Give your agent clear instructions about its role and capabilities. For example:

    ```plaintext theme={null}
    You are a helpful assistant who specializes in answering questions about 
    software development. You can search the web for current information and 
    read documentation directly from URLs. You should provide clear, concise 
    explanations and include code examples when relevant.
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="message" title="Add Conversation Starters">
    Help users know how to interact with your agent by adding conversation starters like:

    * "Search for the latest React best practices"
    * "Read and summarize the documentation at \[URL]"
    * "What are the current trends in web development?"
    * "Help me understand how to use the fetch API"
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### 3. Start Chatting

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Chat Interface">
    Navigate to the [Chat page](https://www.asteragents.com/chat) to start interacting with your agent.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Agent">
    Choose your newly created agent from the dropdown menu at the top of the chat interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Begin Conversation">
    Start with a simple message or use one of your predefined conversation starters.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Provide Feedback">
    Use the thumbs up/down buttons to help improve your agent's performance over time.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Manage Roles & Permissions" icon="shield-check" href="/settings/roles-permissions">
    Set up team access and assign roles to control who can manage agents.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Add Tool Integrations" icon="screwdriver-wrench" href="/tools/postgres_sql">
    Enhance your agent's capabilities with database access, API calls, and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Learn Prompt Engineering" icon="wand-sparkles" href="/promptguide">
    Master the art of writing effective prompts for your AI agents.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Explore the API" icon="code" href="/api-reference/introduction">
    Integrate Aster Agents into your applications programmatically.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>