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

# Creating Deployments

> Deploy your agent to a channel

This guide walks you through creating a deployment to connect your agent to a customer channel.

## Before You Start

Before creating a deployment:

* [Create and configure an agent](/agents/creating-agents)
* [Connect the integration](/settings/connections) you want to deploy to
* [Test your agent](/testing/playground) in the playground

## Creating a Deployment

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Deploy">
    Go to **Deploy** in your dashboard.

    {/* Screenshot: Deploy page with Create Deployment button */}
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create Deployment">
    Click **Create Deployment** to open the configuration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Agent">
    Choose which agent will handle conversations.

    {/* Screenshot: Agent selection dropdown in deployment creation */}
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Trigger">
    Select the channel and events.

    {/* Screenshot: Trigger configuration showing channel and event selection */}

    **Channel or trigger type:** Zendesk, Slack, Intercom, Custom Webhook, Scheduler, etc.
    **Events or schedule:** New ticket, message received, recurring schedule, etc.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Filters (Optional)">
    Narrow when the agent responds:

    * **Channels/Groups:** Specific Slack channels or Zendesk groups
    * **Tags:** Only tickets with certain tags
    * **@mention only:** Only when the bot is mentioned

    {/* Screenshot: Filter configuration options */}
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Mode">
    Choose how the agent responds:

    * **Live:** Responds directly to customers
    * **Testing:** Runs with testing options before live traffic

    {/* Screenshot: Mode selection with descriptions */}
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Activate">
    Click **Create** to save. Set status to **Active** to start.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Configuration Details

### Agent Selection

Choose the agent that will handle incoming messages:

* Agent's start mode and instructions define behavior
* Agent's knowledge determines what it can answer
* Agent's guardrails define safety constraints

<Tip>
  You can change the agent later without recreating the deployment.
</Tip>

### Trigger Configuration

#### Channel

Select the connected integration:

* Only integrations you've connected appear
* Must have agent channel capability (not just knowledge)

#### Events

Select which events trigger the agent:

| Channel            | Common Events                                |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Zendesk**        | Ticket created, Comment added, Internal note |
| **Slack**          | Channel message, Direct message, App mention |
| **Intercom**       | Conversation created, Customer replied       |
| **Custom Webhook** | JSON event payloads from your own system     |
| **Scheduler**      | Recurring schedule                           |

### Filters

Narrow the scope of the deployment:

#### Channel Filters

Respond only in specific channels:

```
Slack: #support, #customer-questions
Zendesk: Support group, VIP group
```

#### Tag Filters (Zendesk)

Respond only to tickets with specific tags:

```
Tags: duckie-enabled, ai-support
```

#### @Mention Only

Only respond when explicitly mentioned:

* Useful for shared channels
* Prevents unwanted responses
* Customer must @mention the bot

### Mode Selection

<Warning>
  We strongly recommend starting new deployments in **Testing** mode.
</Warning>

| Mode        | Use Case                                            |
| ----------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Testing** | New deployments, debugging, and building confidence |
| **Live**    | Validated, ready for customers                      |

## After Creating

### Activate the Deployment

Deployments are created in "Paused" status. To activate:

1. Click on the deployment
2. Toggle status to **Active**
3. Agent begins processing messages

### Monitor Performance

After activation:

1. Go to **Analyze → Runs** to see activity
2. Check response quality
3. Review any escalations
4. Watch key metrics

{/* Screenshot: Run history filtered by deployment */}

### Iterate

Based on results:

* Adjust agent configuration
* Refine filters
* Update guardrails
* Graduate from testing to live

## Common Configurations

### Zendesk Support

```
Agent: Support Agent
Channel: Zendesk
Events: Ticket created, Comment added (public)
Filters: Support group only
Mode: Testing → Live
```

### Slack Customer Channel

```
Agent: Support Agent
Channel: Slack
Events: App mention
Filters: #customer-support channel
Mode: Live (after testing)
```

### Intercom Chat

```
Agent: Support Agent
Channel: Intercom
Events: Conversation created, Customer replied
Filters: None (all conversations)
Mode: Testing → Live
```

### Scheduled Summary

```
Agent: Support Agent
Trigger: Scheduler
Schedule: Weekdays at 9 AM
Mode: Testing → Live
```

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Deployment Modes" icon="toggle-on" href="/deployments/deployment-modes">
    Understand live vs testing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom Webhooks" icon="plug" href="/deployments/custom-webhooks">
    Trigger agents from custom JSON events
  </Card>

  <Card title="Scheduled Deployments" icon="clock" href="/deployments/scheduled-deployments">
    Run an agent on a recurring schedule
  </Card>

  <Card title="Monitor Performance" icon="chart-line" href="/analytics/runs">
    Track your deployment
  </Card>
</CardGroup>