How to Collect User Inputs with Capture Tools in Agent Studio

What Are Capture Information Tools in Agent Studio?

Capture Information tools are features within Agent Studio that let you systematically request and store specific details from users during a conversation. These tools prompt the user directly for information like an email, phone number, a choice from a list, or a text response, and then save the answer in a structured format. This is ideal for situations where you need guaranteed, well-organized data before the conversation can proceed, such as gathering contact information or user preferences.

When to Use Capture Information Tools

Use these tools when your agent’s next action depends on receiving a clear, specific piece of information from the user. Typical scenarios include:

• Obtaining an email address before sending a confirmation message.
• Collecting a phone number to pass the lead to a sales or support team.
• Asking the user to select a single option from a list to determine the conversation's direction.
• Gathering a free-text response, like a question or a topic description.
• Acquiring necessary details before an AI Agent node can generate a personalized response.

These tools are most effective for collecting predictable information that doesn't require complex AI interpretation.

How Capture Information Tools Work

Capture Information tools operate inside a Sequential Node. This type of node runs a series of steps in a specific order. When you add a Capture tool to a Sequential Node, the agent will present a prompt to the user and wait for their response. The answer is then saved and can be accessed later in the conversation flow.

For instance, you can design a sequence that asks for an email address, then a phone number, and finally a topic of interest. The collected data can be passed to subsequent nodes to create a tailored experience.

Available Capture Information Tools

Agent Studio provides four primary Capture Information tools.

Email Address

This tool prompts the user to provide a valid email address. It is useful for scenarios like sending follow-up emails or saving lead information.

Phone Number

This tool collects a phone number from the user. Use it when you need a contact number for callbacks, appointment reminders, or routing.

Single Choice

This tool presents the user with a predefined list of options and asks them to select one. It helps route the conversation based on the user's selection, such as choosing a service type or support topic.

Text Input

This tool allows the user to enter free-form text. It is suitable for collecting open-ended responses like a question, a business name, or a description.

Using Capture Information Tools in a Sequential Node

To use these tools effectively, place them within a Sequential Node. A common setup involves:

1. Starting the flow with a trigger, such as an incoming chat message.
2. Adding a Sequential Node to the flow.
3. Placing one or more Capture Information tools inside the Sequential Node.
4. Configuring the prompt for each tool.
5. Saving the user's response into a variable.
6. Using the captured value in a subsequent node, like a Router or an AI Agent.

This step-by-step approach ensures you collect all necessary information before the flow continues.

Using Captured Information Later in the Flow

The data collected by Capture tools is stored as runtime variables, which can be referenced later in the agent flow. You can insert these variables into messages, AI prompts, or routing logic to personalize the interaction. For example, an email address captured early in the flow can be used to address the user by name in a later message, or a selected topic can guide the content generated by an AI Agent.