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

# Build Your First AI Agent

> Learn how to build an autonomous AI agent in Splox using the workflow builder. Connect an Entry node, Agent node, and Tool node in minutes.

In this tutorial you'll build a fully working AI agent from scratch using the Splox workflow builder. No templates, no shortcuts — just three nodes wired together.

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</video>

## What You'll Build

<img src="https://splox-app.s3.amazonaws.com/019c7550-53b7-744c-b1e2-377499dd1966.png" alt="Completed AI agent workflow with Start, Agent, and Tool nodes connected" style={{ borderRadius: '12px' }} />

By the end of this tutorial, you'll have an autonomous agent that:

* Receives a user message via the **Start** node
* Thinks and decides what to do via the **Agent** node
* Takes real actions using a connected **Tool** node

**Time to complete:** 5 minutes\
**Skill level:** Beginner

***

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

* [ ] A [Splox account](https://app.splox.io)

***

## Step 1: Create a New Workflow

1. Go to [app.splox.io](https://app.splox.io) and open the **Workflows** section
2. Click the **+** button on the left panel
3. Give it a name — e.g. `My First Agent`
4. The workflow canvas opens with an empty graph

<img src="https://splox-app.s3.amazonaws.com/019c7552-96c7-744c-a48f-b8a2237e8eab.png" alt="Creating a new workflow in Splox" style={{ borderRadius: "12px", maxHeight: "500px" }} />

***

## Step 2: Add an Entry Node

The entry node is the entry point of your workflow.

1. Right-click on the canvas → **Start**

<img src="https://splox-app.s3.amazonaws.com/019c7553-5b92-744c-b378-0fdf3fdbe7b1.png" alt="Adding an Entry node to the workflow canvas" style={{ borderRadius: '12px' }} />

<Note>Every workflow needs exactly one entry node. It has no configuration — it simply marks where execution begins.</Note>

***

## Step 3: Add an Agent Node

The Agent node is an LLM that reads the input, reasons about it, and decides whether to call a tool or respond directly.

1. Right-click on the canvas → **Agent**
2. In the config panel:
   * **Model** — pick any model (e.g. `claude-sonnet-4-5` or `gpt-4o`)
   * **System Prompt** — write a short instruction, e.g.:

```
You are a helpful assistant. Use available tools when needed to answer the user's question.
```

<img src="https://splox-app.s3.amazonaws.com/019c7553-92e6-744c-a9a2-5765ce9695ed.png" alt="Configuring the Agent node with a model and system prompt" style={{ borderRadius: '12px' }} />

***

## Step 4: Add a Tool Node

The Tool node gives your agent access to the **Tool Router** — a smart layer that automatically finds the right tool from the MCP marketplace based on what the agent needs to do.

1. Right-click on the canvas → **Tool**

That's it. The Tool Router handles the rest: when your agent runs and needs a capability (e.g. web search, sending a message), it will find the matching tool from your connected MCP integrations. If you don't have the required connection yet, the agent will surface a link to connect it from the MCP marketplace.

<img src="https://splox-app.s3.amazonaws.com/019c7553-c54f-744c-9294-21927d29d26c.png" alt="Tool node on the canvas" style={{ borderRadius: '12px' }} />

***

## Step 5: Connect Everything

Now wire the nodes together:

1. **Start → Agent**: drag from the entry node's output handle to the Agent node's input handle
2. **Agent → Tool**: drag from the Agent node's **TOOLS** handle to the Tool node's input handle

<Note>Make sure you connect from the **TOOLS** handle (not the PARALLEL handle) on the Agent node. This enables the tool-calling loop so results return back to the Agent.</Note>

<img src="https://splox-app.s3.amazonaws.com/019c7550-53b7-744c-b1e2-377499dd1966.png" alt="All three nodes connected — Start to Agent to Tool" style={{ borderRadius: '12px' }} />

***

## Step 6: Run It

1. Open the **Chat** panel (bottom toolbar → chat icon)
2. Type a message, e.g. `Search the web for the latest AI news`
3. Hit **Enter** — your agent will call the tool, get the result, and respond

<img src="https://splox-app.s3.amazonaws.com/019c7556-0627-744c-b080-ce6577d71d54.png" alt="Agent responding in chat after calling a tool" style={{ borderRadius: '12px' }} />

***

## Advanced: Configuring Your Agent

Click on any node to open its configuration panel. The Agent node has three tabs:

**Model tab**

| Setting                     | Description                                                              |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Label**                   | Rename the node                                                          |
| **Provider / Model**        | Switch between LLM providers and models (e.g. Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini) |
| **System Prompt**           | Instructions that define your agent's behavior and persona               |
| **Skills**                  | Attach reusable skill sets to your agent                                 |
| **Credentials**             | Use your own API keys instead of platform credits                        |
| **Enable Realtime (Voice)** | Switch to voice/realtime mode                                            |

**Memory tab** — configure context window limits, trim strategy, summarization, and more.

**Execution tab** — set max iterations, tool choice, streaming, and other runtime settings.

<img src="https://splox-app.s3.amazonaws.com/019c755f-24b8-7b35-9f0f-b29a9e2569ed.png" alt="Agent node configuration panel" style={{ borderRadius: "12px", maxHeight: "500px" }} />

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why does the Tool connect back to the Agent?">
    When an LLM calls a tool, it needs to receive the result back to continue reasoning. The TOOLS edge creates this loop — the Agent calls the Tool, gets the result, and then decides what to do next (call another tool or respond to the user).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I add more tools?">
    Yes. Add more Tool nodes and connect them all to the Agent's TOOLS handle. The agent will automatically know about all connected tools and choose the right one based on context.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What's the difference between TOOLS and PARALLEL handles?">
    The **TOOLS** handle is used for tool-calling loops — results return to the Agent. The **PARALLEL** handle is for regular sequential flow where the Agent's output passes to the next node without looping back.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Next Steps

* **Memory** — the Agent node is always multi-turn by default. Open the node config to tune memory settings: limit type (messages or tokens), max messages/tokens, trim strategy, summarization, and more.
* **Add more tools** — connect multiple Tool nodes to give your agent more capabilities
* **Go parallel** — check out [Parallel Agents](/tutorials/parallel-agents) to run multiple agents simultaneously
* **Build multi-agent systems** — explore [Multi-Agent Teams](/tutorials/multi-agent-team)
* **Join the community** — share your builds at [community.splox.io](https://community.splox.io) or [Telegram](https://t.me/splox_ai)