> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.meetgail.com/platform/getting-started/choose-your-path/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.meetgail.com/_mcp/server.

# Choose Your Path

> Select what you want to accomplish first and we'll guide you through the setup.

Now that you understand what Gail can do, let's get started. Choose one of these paths based on your immediate goal:

---

## 💬 Path 1: Build A Gail (Custom AI Agent)

**Create a custom AI agent that can handle chat, SMS, and more.** Build a Gail tailored to your specific business needs with its own personality, knowledge base, and capabilities.

#### Best For

* SMS and chat conversations
* Custom AI assistants
* Multi-channel communication
* Business-specific workflows

#### What You'll Need

**Time:** 15-20 minutes

**Requirements:** Business info, documents for knowledge base

### Navigate to Gails

In your portal, go to the "General" dropdown on the left-hand menu and click on the "Gails" tab.

![Gails tab in the left-hand menu](/_fern-img/f28f3340243748026d035d3cb94bcfef6ab69b47d5da4ea694c08b20a233221e.webp)

### Select 'Create a Gail'

On the Gails page, click "Create a Gail" in the top right to start building your custom AI agent.

![Create a Gail button on the Gails page](/_fern-img/9264bc5372cb5697b06b5f76169a55a46aa99f37e76c0f435ec61bf0208088a5.webp)

### Choose Your Mode

**Basic Mode:** Quick setup—just provide the Gail's name, specialty, and a brief description of the task you would like it to complete.

![Basic Mode Gail setup](/_fern-img/ab5ddc28e70a4c31e870d1103d8bb8f44556a79033e54c5966d0c12049d8aba3.webp)

**Advanced Mode:** Full control—give Gail detailed steps and instructions you would like it to follow to complete the tasks you are assigning it. Provide specific rules, compliance constraints, or mandatory instructions your Gail must always follow.

![Advanced Mode custom instructions](/_fern-img/e562676186ea71c557e292d0ac3863de927103cc920af104a8ad9ef1c2c29a4d.webp)

### Build the Knowledge Base

Attach documents to teach your Gail about your company. Add document types and tags for grouping and organization.

![Attaching documents to the Knowledge Base](/_fern-img/198272492ad5cf82702c882d358354746064b7fb35c89847bedcd9d3ec85c80e.webp)

### Enable Communication Channels

Select which channels your Gail should use as well as the models you would like it to use for: SMS, Chat widget, or within the Gail portal itself.

![Active Channels setup](/_fern-img/42be182cf02e151536d12c4c47432008e38589110efa9b216fd9f7b4cb8753c0.webp)

### Add Actions

If you would like your Gail to follow specific steps to complete certain tasks, create a use case for them and outline the steps you would like Gail to take.

![Add Use Case](/_fern-img/9aa533e2c0d97485487c95310dbe075d5933fee9c82378da0cf04987d608b064.webp)

### Add Custom Tools/Integrations

If your Gail needs to use specific tools, click add tool and select a tool from the list of options provided.

![Add Tool page](/_fern-img/e9aa20dabdeca52cea2144b475f677025a028f521e45d7a56c6fe61a5c1761c5.webp)

### Save your Gail

Once you are done creating your Gail, click save. Once saved, your Gail is now ready to use!

![Save your Gail](/_fern-img/dcca7737d7d26b45f507985835e9395fb13f9c701720946f5de075c29e6de725.webp)

**[Create your first Gail →](/platform/gails/create-your-first-gail)**

---

## 📞 Path 2: Set Up Inbound Calls

**Configure your Gail to answer incoming calls 24/7 or after hours only.** Handle customer inquiries, route calls, and provide support automatically. This is a strong fit for teams that need always-on customer service or an extra hand.

#### Best For

* Customer support teams
* After-hours coverage
* High call volume businesses
* Appointment scheduling

#### What You'll Need

**Time:** 20-30 minutes

**Requirements:** Phone number, business info

### Navigate to Inbound

In the left-hand menu, open **Communications** and click **Inbound**. You will land on the **Scripts** tab, with **Actions**, **Directory**, and **Data Extraction** next to it.

![Inbound in the left-hand menu](/_fern-img/2f6b75960770c7e035a443d8fb2e3cf4f08cdffb53b7a0a2e6436317d9357918.webp)

### Create Your Scripts

On the **Scripts** tab, click **+ New Script**. Create the scripts Gail will use to answer calls, greet callers, and handle different scenarios (business hours vs. after hours). You can create separate scripts for during hours and after hours, or one script that handles both.

![Inbound Scripts tab](/_fern-img/21934e9139596413b125643d3c44227e1262419726812b7f51d12c310ba3acfb.webp)

### Build Your Directory

Open the **Directory** tab. Add your internal contacts and their phone numbers, plus any external contacts, so Gail knows who to transfer calls to.

![Directory tab](/_fern-img/6d0612ec09d0ed5dbe232e72199636eead62897e76937e4228c7d025fecec493.webp)

### Manage your Actions

Open the **Actions** tab. Create Actions for the scenarios you want Gail to handle. You can enable these actions on any inbound script so Gail knows the right steps to take on a call.

![Actions tab](/_fern-img/2271a7cf65a61e23fb0ef01272d2687ea69e7f68abaedd1f5ead28e85aa6c97b.webp)

### Configure Data Extraction

Open the **Data Extraction** tab. Configure the details you want Gail to capture from your calls so that information is easy to review later.

![Data Extraction tab](/_fern-img/1dc8fea1573b13769ff4586db2334b8e48c1b21837d52c22b70ba55b01f34091.webp)

**[Begin inbound setup →](/platform/communications/inbound/overview)**

---

## 📤 Path 3: Create Outbound Campaign

**Launch a campaign to proactively reach out to customers.** Perfect for follow-ups, reminders, lead qualification, renewals, and staying connected with your customer base.

#### Best For

* Sales and retention teams
* Lead follow-up
* Appointment reminders
* Policy renewal outreach

#### What You'll Need

**Time:** 30-40 minutes

**Requirements:** Contact list, campaign goal, script

### Create a New Campaign

On the Campaigns page, click the "New Campaign" button to start setting up your campaign.

![New Campaign button on the Campaigns page](/_fern-img/1479f7727d53d628b4693817f85b6a3d2952fc0ac16212f1c6e19f202442f4f0.webp)

### Fill in Campaign Details

Give your campaign a clear name and description. Toggle "Advanced Campaign" if you need features like multiple scripts, call sequences, specific redialing rules or contact thresholds.

![New Campaign details form](/_fern-img/5dc21103c5d8e8f6f0831862763fdc904affcad31952085c8d2ccbf2acf2a617.webp)

### Select Your Script

From the "Script" dropdown menu, choose the specific script you want Gail to use for this campaign. This is the message or conversation flow Gail will follow when making calls.

![Select a script for the campaign](/_fern-img/3f1fd36869d841e7ca7c1b6eb7841286c3c668a5ef39ed93b1d901f10a4a7dcb.webp)

### Choose Your Contact List

Click the "Choose Contact List" button and select the list of contacts you want Gail to reach out to for this campaign.

![Choose Contact List button](/_fern-img/44d88c91028b5b40a95abf32c059fac1515fbe035afd0207269ba8d5b286237d.webp)

### Save and Launch

Click the "Save" button to save your campaign as a draft. From the "Edit Campaign" page, you can either click "Edit" to make more changes or hit "Start" to launch immediately!

![Save campaign button](/_fern-img/665b6906a1a21118858b903e4df839e2a04298b5bf2c7b130a9888af85f24f10.webp)

**[Create your first campaign →](/platform/communications/outbound/creating-campaigns)**

---

## Make Your Gail More Effective

Once you've chosen your path and completed basic setup, enhance your Gail with these optional features:

#### [📚 Add Knowledge](/platform/knowledge/overview)

Upload documents, FAQs, and company information to the Knowledge Base so your Gail gives accurate, contextual answers.

#### [🔌 Connect Integrations](/platform/integrations/overview)

Link your calendar, CRM, and other tools for automated scheduling and data sync.

#### [🎙️ Set Up Your Gail](/platform/gails/create-your-first-gail)

Configure your Gail agent with the right voice and conversation style.

#### [📊 Track Performance](/platform/data-analytics/overview)

Monitor call metrics, review transcripts, and measure ROI.

#### [🔀 Set Up Workflows](/platform/communications/inbound/setting-up-use-cases)

Design conversation flows for complex scenarios and call routing.

#### [👥 Invite Your Team](/platform/settings/team-management)

Add team members and configure roles and permissions.

---

## Need Help Getting Started?

#### Book an Onboarding

Schedule a personalized walkthrough with our team. We'll help you choose the right path and get set up faster.

[Schedule a call →](https://www.meetgail.com/contact-sales)

> **Note**
>
> **Not sure which path to choose?** Most teams start with GailGPT to test the platform, then move to inbound calls for customer support. Outbound campaigns are typically added once you're comfortable with the basics.

> Documentation for Gail, the AI platform for financial services. Learn how to set up GailGPT and Gail Agent to automate customer communications for insurance, banking, and finance.