Actions Creation guide
How to Build Bulletproof Actions
1. Core Mindset
- Treat the computer like a super-intelligent baby
- Never assume context, intent, or understanding
- If something feels “obvious” to a human, it is not obvious to the system
- Prompting and scripting = coding in plain English (pseudocode)
2. Think in Extreme Granularity
- Every step must be broken into explicit, literal steps
- Never rely on implied behavior
Ask yourself:
- How does it know where to get this?
- How does it know what to say vs what to do?
- What happens if the caller says something slightly different?
3. Actions Structure (Always)
Every use action clearly contain:
Title
- Naming only
- Has zero impact on performance
Objective
- Defines when the action should run
- Must be a conditional statement
- Never list steps here
- Answers: “Under what condition does Gail enter this flow?”
- Think: “If the caller wants (x, y, z), then follow these steps:”
Steps
- Step-by-step instructions
- Linear
- Explicit
- Granular
- No ambiguity
4. Conditionals Are Gates (Not Suggestions)
Use conditionals to control flow precisely.
- If / Then
- One condition must be true
- Or
- Any one condition can be true
- And
- All conditions must be true
- Nor
- None of the conditions can be true
Conditionals decide which path the flow follows.
5. Directives vs Spoken Steps (Critical)
Directives
- Tell Gail what to do internally
- Gail should never say these out loud
Examples:
- Show empathy
- Do not disclose timing
- Do not mention internal processes
Spoken Steps
Must explicitly start with:
- “Ask the caller…”
- “Tell the caller…”
Never mix directives with spoken text — this breaks realism.
6. What Bad Scripts Have in Common
- Objectives that describe steps instead of conditions
- Vague steps like:
- “Guide the caller…”
- “Provide the link…”
- Missing answers to:
- Where does the info come from?
- How is it delivered?
- What exact questions are asked?
- Transfers without determining who or why
7. What Good Scripts Do Well
- Objectives clearly define when the flow starts
- Steps are:
- Linear
- Explicit
- Unambiguous
- Conditional logic is used inside steps to handle variations
- One use case can handle multiple scenarios if:
- The end outcome is the same
- The logic paths are clearly gated
8. Always Think Linearly
- Actions are flowcharts written in words
- Gail checks steps top to bottom
- If a condition isn’t met → move to the next step
- Once a condition is met → execute → exit flow
9. Start With the Outcome, Then Work Backwards
Ask:
- What is the final outcome? (transfer, quote, payment, info, etc.)
- What conditions must be satisfied to reach that outcome?
- What info must be gathered before taking steps?
- What decisions change the path?
10. Design Like You’re Teaching a Child
Ask yourself:
- Would a 5-year-old know what to ask next?
- Would they know the order?
- Would they know what not to say?
- If not → add steps
11. Key Rules to Remember
- Be specific
- Be literal
- Be granular
- Avoid assumptions
- One step = one clear instruction
- Linear > clever
- Clarity beats brevity