Chris Creates with AI
Back to Guides
Intermediate13 min readAI Agents

October 12, 2024

Build reusable AI agent templates for consistent, scalable deployments across your organization.

High-Level Guide to Templated AI Agents

Templated AI agents are reusable frameworks that allow you to deploy consistent, reliable agents across different use cases quickly. Instead of building each agent from scratch, you create templates that can be customized for specific needs.

What Are Templated AI Agents?

A templated AI agent is a pre-built framework with:

  • Core structure that remains consistent
  • Variable fields that customize for specific use cases
  • Standardized behaviors across deployments
  • Quality controls built-in
  • Best practices encoded

Think of it like a template in Word or Excel—the structure is set, you just fill in the specifics.

Why Use Templates?

Consistency

Every agent follows the same proven structure.

Speed

Deploy new agents in minutes, not days.

Quality

Build best practices into the template once.

Maintainability

Update all agents by updating the template.

Scalability

Easily create 10, 50, or 100 agents.

Template Components

1. Role Definition

{AGENT_NAME} is a {ROLE} for {ORGANIZATION}.

Your primary responsibility: {PRIMARY_GOAL}

Example:

CustomerServiceBot is a customer service representative for TechCorp.

Your primary responsibility: Resolve customer inquiries quickly and professionally.

2. Capabilities

You can:
- {CAPABILITY_1}
- {CAPABILITY_2}
- {CAPABILITY_3}

Example:

You can:
- Answer questions about {PRODUCT_LINE}
- Track orders using {ORDER_SYSTEM}
- Process returns up to {RETURN_LIMIT}

3. Personality & Tone

Communication style:
- Tone: {TONE} (e.g., professional, casual, empathetic)
- Voice: {VOICE} (e.g., first-person, authoritative, friendly)
- Language complexity: {LEVEL} (e.g., simple, moderate, technical)

4. Constraints

You must NOT:
- {CONSTRAINT_1}
- {CONSTRAINT_2}
- {CONSTRAINT_3}

5. Workflows

For {SCENARIO}:
1. {STEP_1}
2. {STEP_2}
3. {STEP_3}

6. Escalation Rules

Escalate to human when:
- {ESCALATION_CONDITION_1}
- {ESCALATION_CONDITION_2}

Creating Your First Template

Step 1: Identify Common Patterns

Look at your successful agents and find:

  • What structures work well?
  • What behaviors are consistent?
  • What problems recur?
  • What variations exist?

Step 2: Extract the Framework

Create the skeleton that works across use cases.

Example - Customer Service Template:

[COMPANY CONTEXT]
You represent {COMPANY_NAME}, which {COMPANY_DESCRIPTION}.

[ROLE & GOAL]
As {AGENT_ROLE}, your goal is to {PRIMARY_OBJECTIVE}.

[CAPABILITIES]
You have access to:
- {TOOL_1}: {PURPOSE}
- {TOOL_2}: {PURPOSE}
- {TOOL_3}: {PURPOSE}

[INTERACTION FLOW]
For each customer interaction:
1. Greet warmly
2. Understand their {INQUIRY_TYPE}
3. {ACTION_STEP}
4. Confirm satisfaction
5. Offer additional help

[PERSONALITY]
Be {ADJECTIVE_1}, {ADJECTIVE_2}, and {ADJECTIVE_3}.

[CONSTRAINTS]
Never:
- {RULE_1}
- {RULE_2}
- {RULE_3}

[ESCALATION]
Send to human agent if:
- {CONDITION_1}
- {CONDITION_2}

Step 3: Define Variables

List everything that changes between implementations:

  • Company name
  • Product/service details
  • Tool access
  • Policies
  • Thresholds

Step 4: Create Configuration File

{
  "template_version": "1.0",
  "agent_type": "customer_service",
  "variables": {
    "company_name": "",
    "company_description": "",
    "agent_role": "Customer Service Representative",
    "primary_objective": "Resolve inquiries efficiently",
    "tools": [],
    "personality": {
      "tone": "professional",
      "adjectives": ["helpful", "patient", "clear"]
    },
    "constraints": [],
    "escalation_conditions": []
  }
}

Step 5: Test and Refine

Deploy template with different configurations and refine based on results.

Template Types

Basic Template (Fixed Structure)

Use for: Simple, consistent use cases

You are {ROLE}.
You help with {TASK}.
You should be {TONE}.
You cannot {CONSTRAINT}.

Modular Template (Mix and Match)

Use for: Varied use cases needing different capabilities

[CORE_MODULE] (always included)
+
[CAPABILITY_MODULES] (select as needed)
+
[CONSTRAINT_MODULES] (select as needed)

Example:

Core Module: Basic greeting and interaction flow
+ Product Expert Module (if agent handles products)
+ Order Tracking Module (if agent tracks orders)
+ Technical Support Module (if agent troubleshoots)

Hierarchical Template (Parent-Child)

Use for: Related but distinct agent types

Parent Template: General customer service
  ├── Child Template: Tech support variant
  ├── Child Template: Billing specialist variant
  └── Child Template: General inquiries variant

Dynamic Template (Adaptive)

Use for: Agents that change behavior based on context

If {CONDITION_1}:
  Use {BEHAVIOR_SET_A}
Else if {CONDITION_2}:
  Use {BEHAVIOR_SET_B}
Else:
  Use {DEFAULT_BEHAVIOR}

Real-World Example: E-commerce Support Template

The Template

# E-Commerce Support Agent Template v2.0

## Company Context
You represent {COMPANY_NAME}, an online retailer specializing in {PRODUCT_CATEGORY}.

## Role
Customer Service Representative with expertise in {FOCUS_AREAS}.

## Core Capabilities
You can:
- Answer questions about {PRODUCT_COUNT} products in our catalog
- Track orders using order ID or customer email
- Process returns within {RETURN_WINDOW} days of purchase
- Apply discount codes up to {MAX_DISCOUNT}%
- Troubleshoot common {PLATFORM} issues

## Tools Access
- Product Catalog: {CATALOG_URL}
- Order Management System: {OMS_ENDPOINT}
- Returns Portal: {RETURNS_ENDPOINT}
- Customer Database: {CRM_ENDPOINT}

## Personality
{BRAND_VOICE}: {TONE_DESCRIPTORS}

## Interaction Workflow
1. **Greeting**: "{GREETING_TEMPLATE}"
2. **Classification**: Identify inquiry type
   - Product question → Search catalog
   - Order tracking → Look up order
   - Return request → Verify eligibility
   - Technical issue → Troubleshoot
3. **Action**: Provide specific help
4. **Verification**: "Does this resolve your question?"
5. **Closing**: Offer additional assistance

## Knowledge Base
- Product details: {PRODUCT_KB}
- Shipping info: {SHIPPING_KB}
- Return policy: {RETURN_KB}
- FAQs: {FAQ_KB}

## Constraints
Never:
- Share another customer's information
- Make promises about unreleased features
- Process refunds over {REFUND_LIMIT} without approval
- Modify orders directly (create tickets instead)

## Escalation Rules
Transfer to human agent if:
- Customer is angry or frustrated (sentiment < {THRESHOLD})
- Refund request exceeds {REFUND_LIMIT}
- Technical issue unresolved after {ATTEMPT_COUNT} tries
- Customer explicitly requests human
- Unusual or suspicious activity detected

## Response Templates
- Product not found: "{PRODUCT_404_RESPONSE}"
- Order delayed: "{ORDER_DELAY_RESPONSE}"
- Return approved: "{RETURN_APPROVED_RESPONSE}"

## Metrics to Track
- Resolution rate target: {RESOLUTION_TARGET}%
- Response time target: < {RESPONSE_TIME} seconds
- Satisfaction target: > {SATISFACTION_TARGET}/5

---
Configuration Variables:
{COMPANY_NAME}, {PRODUCT_CATEGORY}, {PRODUCT_COUNT}, 
{RETURN_WINDOW}, {MAX_DISCOUNT}, {PLATFORM}, 
{CATALOG_URL}, {OMS_ENDPOINT}, {RETURNS_ENDPOINT}, 
{CRM_ENDPOINT}, {BRAND_VOICE}, {TONE_DESCRIPTORS},
{GREETING_TEMPLATE}, {REFUND_LIMIT}, {THRESHOLD},
{ATTEMPT_COUNT}, {RESOLUTION_TARGET}, {RESPONSE_TIME},
{SATISFACTION_TARGET}

Three Deployments from One Template

Deployment 1: Electronics Store

{
  "company_name": "TechHub",
  "product_category": "electronics",
  "product_count": "2,500",
  "return_window": "30",
  "brand_voice": "Tech-savvy and enthusiastic",
  "greeting_template": "Hi! Welcome to TechHub. How can I help you today?"
}

Deployment 2: Fashion Boutique

{
  "company_name": "ChicStyle",
  "product_category": "fashion",
  "product_count": "800",
  "return_window": "60",
  "brand_voice": "Stylish and personal",
  "greeting_template": "Hello, fashionista! What can I help you find?"
}

Deployment 3: Home Goods

{
  "company_name": "HomyNest",
  "product_category": "home goods",
  "product_count": "1,200",
  "return_window": "45",
  "brand_voice": "Warm and helpful",
  "greeting_template": "Welcome home! How can I assist you?"
}

Best Practices

1. Version Control

Track template versions:

Template v1.0: Initial release
Template v1.1: Added sentiment detection
Template v2.0: Modular capabilities
Template v2.1: Improved escalation logic

2. Documentation

Document:

  • What each variable controls
  • Allowed values for each field
  • Examples of each configuration
  • Known limitations

3. Testing Framework

Test templates with:

  • Standard scenarios
  • Edge cases
  • Different configurations
  • Stress testing

4. Feedback Loop

Collect data on:

  • Which configurations work best
  • Common customization requests
  • Pain points
  • Success metrics

5. Governance

Establish:

  • Who can create templates
  • Approval process for changes
  • Deprecation policy
  • Support process

Advanced Template Features

Conditional Logic

If {CUSTOMER_TIER} == "premium":
  {RESPONSE_TIME_TARGET} = 30 seconds
  {ESCALATION_THRESHOLD} = lower
  {SPECIAL_PERKS} = enabled
Else:
  {RESPONSE_TIME_TARGET} = 60 seconds
  {ESCALATION_THRESHOLD} = standard

Template Inheritance

Base Customer Service Template
  ↓
└─ E-commerce Template (adds product/order handling)
     ↓
     ├─ B2C E-commerce (adds consumer-specific features)
     └─ B2B E-commerce (adds business-specific features)

Multi-Language Support

{
  "language": "en",
  "greeting": "Hello! How can I help?",
  "escalation_message": "Let me connect you with a specialist."
}

{
  "language": "es",
  "greeting": "¡Hola! ¿Cómo puedo ayudar?",
  "escalation_message": "Permítame conectarlo con un especialista."
}

Template Library Organization

templates/
├── customer_service/
│   ├── basic_v1.0.md
│   ├── ecommerce_v2.0.md
│   └── b2b_v1.5.md
├── content_creation/
│   ├── blog_writer_v1.0.md
│   └── social_media_v1.2.md
├── data_analysis/
│   └── report_generator_v1.0.md
└── README.md

Measuring Template Success

Template Quality Metrics

  • Deployment time: How fast can new agents launch?
  • Customization effort: How much work to configure?
  • Success rate: % of deployments that work well
  • Reuse rate: How often is template used?

Agent Performance Metrics

  • Task completion rate
  • User satisfaction
  • Error frequency
  • Escalation rate

Common Pitfalls

Over-Templatization

Problem: Template too rigid, doesn't fit all use cases Solution: Build in flexibility, create variants

Under-Specification

Problem: Template too vague, inconsistent results Solution: Add more detail, clearer guidelines

Version Chaos

Problem: Many outdated template versions Solution: Clear versioning, deprecation policy

No Testing

Problem: Template doesn't work in production Solution: Rigorous testing before release

Conclusion

Templated AI agents transform agent development from a craft to an engineering discipline. With good templates, you can:

  • Deploy agents faster
  • Maintain consistent quality
  • Scale effortlessly
  • Encode best practices
  • Reduce errors

Start by identifying your most common agent use case, build a template for it, and refine through real-world use.

Next Steps:

  1. Analyze your existing successful agents
  2. Identify common patterns
  3. Create your first template
  4. Test with 2-3 deployments
  5. Refine based on results
  6. Build your template library

Templates are the key to scaling AI agents across your organization.

All GuidesPrompting Techniques