> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.dapta.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.dapta.ai/ai-voice-agents/how-to-set-up-your-ai-voice-agent/voice-agent-settings-guide/conversation-behavior-start-conversation.md).

# Conversation Behavior – Start Conversation ▶️

This feature allows you to configure who initiates the conversation.

**Options:**

**Conversation Start Behavior**

* User Initiates
* AI Initiates (Dynamic Message – Based on Instructions)
* AI Initiates (Predefined Message)

<figure><img src="/files/9yXyXfUZ78luX3Acoqvb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The options to define who starts the conversation are:

* **User Initiates:**

  With this setting, the AI agent will wait for the user to speak first to start the conversation.
* **AI Initiates (Dynamic Message – Based on Instructions):**

  If you choose this option, the AI agent will start the conversation with dynamically generated messages. These messages will be created based on the instructions or “prompt” you have configured for the agent.
* **AI Initiates (Predefined Message):**

  By selecting this option, the AI agent will start the conversation using a single, specific message that you have previously defined in your prompt.


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# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.dapta.ai/ai-voice-agents/how-to-set-up-your-ai-voice-agent/voice-agent-settings-guide/conversation-behavior-start-conversation.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.