> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.asteroid.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Build your first agent in minutes

Learn how to create, configure, run, and monitor your first agent using the [Asteroid Platform](https://platform.asteroid.ai/).

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create">
    <Card title="Create Page" img="https://mintcdn.com/entropylabs/3oe4MLArATqq2JLD/images/quickstart-create.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=3oe4MLArATqq2JLD&q=85&s=7a0feeb3d9c51987d94b3797710c48a2" icon="plus" horizontal width="1619" height="979" data-path="images/quickstart-create.png">
      After signing in, create a new agent and describe the automation task you want it to perform.
    </Card>

    Start with a clear, high-level goal for the agent, then outline the step-by-step instructions it should follow. For example:

    ```
    Fill in the doctor note information in my EHR portal.

    1. Go to https://mediflowhealth.life/login
    2. Log in with the email and password available to you
    3. Click the “Patients” button
    4. Select {{.NAME}}
    5. Click “New Consultation”
    6. Fill out the consultation form using the following doctor note: {{.DOCTOR_NOTE}}
    7. Click “Create” to finish
    ```

    Notice how you can:

    * Provide credentials for the agent to use
    * Declare variables that will be supplied at runtime

    <Info>
      Learn more about [Agent Profiles](/fundamentals/profiles) and [Dynamic Variables](/fundamentals/nodes/ai-task#dynamic-variables).
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure">
    <Card title="Builder Page" img="https://mintcdn.com/entropylabs/3oe4MLArATqq2JLD/images/quickstart-configure.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=3oe4MLArATqq2JLD&q=85&s=18fb3b44eb0a568b08b49ee80b1aaf03" icon="wrench" horizontal width="2398" height="1728" data-path="images/quickstart-configure.png">
      Once your agent is created, you can refine its behavior in the Graph Builder.
    </Card>

    The Builder allows you to customize all aspects of your agent, including:

    * **Agent Name** — Give it a clear, meaningful name
    * **Nodes** — Break the workflow into smaller, deterministic subtasks
    * **Transitions** — Define the logical sequence the agent should follow

    The default two-node agent is a great starting point. You can always return to this page as your automation grows more complex.

    <Info>
      For a deeper dive into our graph-based approach, see the [Graph Agents](/fundamentals/graph-agents) guide.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run">
    <Card title="Run Config" img="https://mintcdn.com/entropylabs/3oe4MLArATqq2JLD/images/quickstart-run1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=3oe4MLArATqq2JLD&q=85&s=c6559c4f78babcf5d679f9265906946c" icon="cog" horizontal width="1100" height="721" data-path="images/quickstart-run1.png">
      Before launching a run, configure variables, credentials, and environment options.
    </Card>

    Click **Run Agent** in the Builder to open the run configuration modal.
    Here you can:

    * Select or create an Agent Profile (credentials, browser settings, etc.)
    * Provide values for any dynamic variables referenced in your node instructions

    Once everything is set, trigger the run.

    <Info>
      You can also upload [Files](/fundamentals/files) for your agent to reference during execution.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitor">
    <Card title="Execution Page" img="https://mintcdn.com/entropylabs/3oe4MLArATqq2JLD/images/quickstart-run2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=3oe4MLArATqq2JLD&q=85&s=b58ab7eb6f9c939fc38bcbd792785076" icon="eye" horizontal width="1606" height="965" data-path="images/quickstart-run2.png">
      Watch your agent in action with real-time monitoring.
    </Card>

    After the run starts, you'll be taken to the **Execution** page, where you can observe the agent's behavior live.
    From here, you can:

    * Send messages to the agent
    * Pause or cancel the run
    * Interact with the browser directly
    * Apply live edits to the graph
  </Step>

  <Step title="Iterate & Improve">
    <Card title="Stats Page" icon="chart-line" img="/images/quickstart-stats.png" horizontal>
      Review past outcomes to understand what worked and what didn't.
    </Card>

    After your first run, review results on the **Executions** page: check the timeline, browser snapshots, and agent reasoning to see what happened.

    **When things go wrong:**

    * **Agent couldn't find an element**: Make instructions more specific
    * **Agent took the wrong action**: Clarify instructions or add edge case handling
    * **Agent got stuck**: Add clearer success criteria or break into smaller nodes

    **Improve your agent:**

    * Refine instructions based on what you observed
    * Add edge cases and failure paths
    * Split complex nodes into smaller, focused ones
    * Test with different dynamic variable values

    **Best Practices:**

    * **Start simple**: Get a basic version working first, then add complexity
    * **Test incrementally**: Make small changes and test after each modification
    * **Use descriptive names**: Name nodes and variables clearly so the graph is self-documenting
    * **Document edge cases**: Add notes about known variations in your instructions

    <Info>
      For more guidance, see [Graph Agents](/fundamentals/graph-agents) for design best practices and [Output Nodes](/fundamentals/nodes/output) for handling different outcomes.
    </Info>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Card title="Start Building Now!" icon="play" href="https://platform.asteroid.ai" horizontal>
  Ready to build your first automation? Open the Asteroid platform and start building.
</Card>