Creating Custom Skills (Protocols)
Build your own specialized AI assistants by creating Protocols.
While the Marketplace offers ready-made Skills, Protocols allow you to build custom workflows tailored exactly to your organization's needs. A Protocol defines the instructions, capabilities (tools), and triggers that make up a custom Skill or Agent.
What is a Protocol?
Think of a Protocol as the "blueprint" for a Skill. It combines three elements:
- Instructions: The "brain" (how the AI should behave).
- Tools: The "hands" (what external apps or internal data it can access).
- Triggers: The "ears" (when it should activate).
How to create a new Protocol
To start building, navigate to Workspace Settings > Protocols.
- Click the + New Protocol button in the top-right corner.
- You will be guided through the configuration tabs: General, Tools, Triggers, and Menu.
Step 1: General configuration
This tab defines the identity and logic of your skill.
- Instructions: This is the most critical part. Write a clear system prompt defining the AI's role (e.g., "You are a helpful assistant that specializes in de-escalating angry customers...").
- Name & Description: Give it a clear title so your team knows when to use it.
- Icon: Choose a visual symbol for the dashboard.
- Scope: Define who can use this skill (e.g., "Organization" shares it with everyone).
Step 2: Assign Tools
Tools give your Skill the ability to do things, not just talk. You can mix and match built-in capabilities with your connected integrations.
Built-in Tools:
- Web Search: Allows the AI to look up live information.
- List/Get Meeting: Access to transcript data.
- Send Email: Capability to draft and send messages.
Integration Tools: Connect your external stack. For example, if you are building a "Bug Reporter" skill, you would check the boxes for Linear: Create Issue or Jira: Create Ticket.
Step 3: Triggers and Menu
- Triggers: Define automatic behaviors (e.g., "Run this protocol automatically if the sentiment score drops below 4").
- Menu: Configure where this Skill appears in the Companion interface (e.g., in the Quick Actions menu or as a dedicated chat option).
Managing your Protocols
Once you click Create Skill, your Protocol appears in the list view.
- Edit: Click any card to tweak the instructions or add new tools.
- Status: You can enable/disable protocols as your workflows evolve.
Note: A "Protocol" created here becomes a usable "Skill" or "Agent" for your team in the Companion interface.