> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://novu-c5de82d9-docs-homepage-redesign.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create an agent

> Create a new agent in the Novu dashboard and connect your first provider.

Create an agent in the Novu dashboard before you scaffold a bridge app or write handler code. This page walks through creating the agent record and connecting your first provider.

## Create an agent in the dashboard

In the Novu dashboard, create a new agent and enter its basic details.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to the Agents page">
    In the Novu dashboard, go to the [Agents page](https://dashboard.novu.co/agents).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Agents">
    In the sidebar, click **Agents**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create agent">
    Click **Create agent**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter agent details">
    Enter the following information:

    * **Agent name**: Display name for your agent. Slack and Microsoft Teams show this name when users mention the agent.
    * **Identifier**: Unique slug used in code. Auto-generated from the name; cannot be changed after creation.
    * **Description**: Summary of the agent's purpose.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up agent">
    Click **Set up agent**. Novu opens the guided setup page, where you connect providers and copy the scaffold command for your bridge app.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<video autoPlay loop muted playsInline src="https://mintcdn.com/novu-c5de82d9-docs-homepage-redesign/_Er4ZWa6vVDiKb7d/images/agents/custom-code-agent/setup-your-agent/create-a-new-agent.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=_Er4ZWa6vVDiKb7d&q=85&s=59d50aa1783374057ebb8235d822a830" data-path="images/agents/custom-code-agent/setup-your-agent/create-a-new-agent.mp4" />

## Connect a provider

On the guided setup page in the Novu dashboard, link your agent to a messaging provider.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select a provider">
    In the **Select provider** list, choose a provider (for example, **Slack**).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Follow provider-specific steps">
    Follow the provider-specific steps shown in the dashboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

For a full Slack walkthrough including app creation and install, see [Quickstart](/agents/custom-code-agent/quickstart).

## Related

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card icon="terminal" href="/agents/custom-code-agent/setup-your-agent/scaffold-your-project" title="Scaffold your project">
    Generate a bridge application with the Novu CLI.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="layout-dashboard" href="/agents/custom-code-agent/setup-your-agent/overview" title="Set up overview">
    View dashboard settings, bridge URL, providers, and handler code.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="zap" href="/agents/custom-code-agent/quickstart" title="Quickstart">
    Create an agent, connect Slack, and get a reply in-thread.
  </Card>
</Columns>