Astra jobs: what it can do on calls
Jobs are the plain-language instructions that define what Astra handles on a call — each job is a name plus optional instructions, and together they become the agent's brief.
The suggested jobs
The Agent tab offers quick-add suggestions you can enable with one click:
- Take booking requests — collects the caller's name, number, and preferred days or times; your team confirms the appointment. (Astra does not have calendar access, so it never promises a specific slot.)
- Answer common questions — answers about hours, services, pricing, and policies from the knowledge base, and offers to take a message when unsure.
- Take a message — captures the caller's name, callback number, and reason so the team can follow up.
- Transfer to a human — hands the call to your team when a transfer target is available; otherwise takes a detailed message and promises a prompt callback.
You can add any custom job on top of these.
Step-by-step
Click the AI agent icon in the left sidebar, then open the Agent tab.
Scroll to Jobs the AI agent can do.
Click any dashed suggestion chip (for example, + Take a message) to add it to the list.
To add a custom job, use the form at the bottom of the list: type a name (for example, "Qualify new leads"), optionally add Instructions for the agent, and click Add job.
Remove a job anytime with the × on its row.
Click Save draft, then Publish — job changes only reach the live agent after publishing.
How jobs work with everything else
- Jobs describe the "what"; the knowledge base supplies the facts. "Answer common questions" only works well if your hours, services, and policies are in the knowledge base. Astra also knows your work schedule automatically and can answer "when are you open?" from it.
- Every agent can end calls gracefully, and a transfer option is offered when a transfer target is configured. Without one, Astra is honest with callers: it takes a message rather than pretending it can transfer.
- Keep instructions short and concrete — "Capture the caller's name, number, and reason, then promise a same-day callback" beats a paragraph of prose.
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Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a job?
A job is a plain-language instruction — a name plus optional details — that becomes part of Astra's brief for every call. You're describing what it should handle, in your own words.
When do job changes take effect?
After Save draft (to store them) and Publish (to update the live agent). The Agent tab reminds you of this under the jobs list.
Can Astra book appointments directly on my calendar?
Not yet — Astra takes booking requests: it collects the caller's name, number, and preferred times, and your team confirms the appointment. There is no calendar integration today.
Can Astra transfer callers to a real person?
Yes, when a number rings your team in the app — Astra hands the call over. If no transfer target is set up, Astra takes a detailed message instead and promises a prompt callback.