# Staff Assistant (/docs/plugins/staff-assistant)



The **Staff Assistant** plugin connects a [Retell](https://www.retellai.com) AI chat agent to your dashboard so your team can ask questions about your operating procedures and get answers grounded in your own knowledge base.

For example, a new staff member can ask *"A customer is short on the security deposit — what do I do?"* and get an answer based on the documents you've provided, without interrupting a manager.

This is a **connector** plugin: it links to your Retell account, so it needs a little configuration before you enable it.

Before you start [#before-you-start]

You'll need a Retell account with:

* A **chat agent** created in your Retell dashboard.
* A **knowledge base** attached to that agent, containing the procedures and documents you want it to answer from.
* Your Retell **API key** and the **agent ID**.

<Callout type="info">
  The knowledge base is what makes the answers useful — add your handbooks, SOPs, refund and deposit policies, and anything else your staff regularly need to look up.
</Callout>

Setup [#setup]

1. Open **Plugins → Browse Plugins** and click **Install** on **Staff Assistant**. You're taken to its setup page.
2. Under **Configuration**, paste your Retell **API key** and **agent ID**, then **Save**.
3. Click **Enable**. A **Staff Assistant** page now appears in your **Plugins** menu.

Your API key is encrypted at rest and is never displayed again — the setup page only shows whether a key is currently configured. To replace it, enter a new key and save; to remove it, use **Clear stored key**.

Using it [#using-it]

Open **Plugins → Staff Assistant** and type a question. The assistant replies using your Retell agent and knowledge base, and keeps the conversation in context so you can ask follow-ups.

Any staff member at a location with the plugin enabled can use the assistant — there's no separate permission to assign.

Optional settings [#optional-settings]

* **Display name** — the name shown at the top of the chat (defaults to "Staff Assistant").
* **Welcome message** — an opening message shown when the chat is first opened.

Troubleshooting [#troubleshooting]

<Callout type="warn">
  If the assistant replies that it's &#x2A;"not configured"&#x2A; or &#x2A;"temporarily unavailable,"* double-check that your API key and agent ID are correct and that the agent is active in Retell. Re-saving the configuration on the setup page resolves most issues.
</Callout>