Getting Started¶
Welcome to Functional AI. This section gets you up and running quickly, whether you're building a customer support bot, a lead generation assistant, or an AI-powered knowledge hub.
Quick Navigation¶
| Guide | Description | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Quickstart | Create your first chatbot | 5 min |
| Core Concepts | Understand how Functional AI works | 10 min |
| Account Setup | Set up your account and dashboard | 10 min |
| Your First Assistant | Build a fully configured AI assistant | 15 min |
What is Functional AI?¶
Functional AI is a comprehensive platform for creating, deploying, and managing AI-powered chatbots. You can:
- Create intelligent chatbots powered by advanced AI models (GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini)
- Upload your own documents to make assistants knowledgeable about your business
- Deploy chatbots on your website with a simple embed code
- Connect to multiple channels (Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Gmail)
- Monitor all conversations in one central dashboard
- Extend capabilities with function templates for real-time data and actions
Who It's For¶
- E-commerce Businesses
- Answer product questions, help customers find items, explain policies, and reduce support workload
- SaaS Companies
- Automate documentation support, qualify leads, onboard new users, and provide 24/7 assistance
- Service Providers
- Handle appointment scheduling, answer common questions, qualify prospects, and manage client inquiries
- Content Creators & Educators
- Provide course support, answer FAQs, engage communities, and automate repetitive questions
- Any Business with Customers
- Reduce support tickets, provide instant responses, scale customer service, and improve satisfaction
How It Works¶
1. Create an Assistant¶
Define your AI chatbot's personality, knowledge, and behavior through simple configuration. Choose the AI model, set the creativity level (temperature), and write clear instructions about what it should do.
2. Add Knowledge (Optional but Recommended)¶
Upload your documents, FAQs, product information, or policies to a "Store" (knowledge base). Your assistant will automatically search these documents to provide accurate, specific answers using RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation).
3. Test & Refine¶
Chat with your assistant in the built-in testing interface. Adjust instructions, tweak settings, and upload more documents until responses match your expectations.
4. Deploy Anywhere¶
Make your assistant public and embed it on your website, or connect it to social media channels like Instagram and Facebook Messenger. Users interact with it just like chatting with a human.
5. Monitor & Improve¶
View all conversations in your dashboard. See what users ask, how your assistant responds, and identify areas for improvement. Reply to users directly when needed.
Common Use Cases¶
E-commerce Support
Perfect for online stores and Shopify merchants.
Capabilities: - Answer product questions and provide recommendations - Help customers find products - Explain shipping and return policies - Handle common inquiries
Best for: Shopify stores, WooCommerce sites, online retail
Key features: Shopify integration, knowledge base with FAQs, ECOMMERCE use case setting
Lead Generation
Capture and qualify potential customers 24/7.
Capabilities: - Engage visitors with personalized questions - Collect contact information - Qualify leads based on your criteria - Schedule meetings or demos
Best for: SaaS companies, B2B services, consultants, agencies
Key features: Custom conversation flows, CRM integration, suggested questions
FAQ & Knowledge Bot
Reduce support tickets by automating common questions.
Capabilities: - Answer FAQs instantly - Search documentation and help articles - Provide consistent, accurate information - Escalate complex issues to humans
Best for: SaaS platforms, educational institutions, membership sites
Key features: Knowledge base, temperature 0.3-0.5, SafeGuard enabled
Customer Service Assistant
Enhance your support team with AI assistance.
Capabilities: - Handle tier-1 support inquiries - Provide troubleshooting steps - Explain account and billing questions - Route issues to the right team
Best for: Any business with customer support needs
Key features: Support documentation, function templates, multi-channel deployment
Learning Path¶
Week 1: Basics¶
- Quickstart - Create a basic assistant in 5 minutes
- Core Concepts - Understand how the platform works
- Your First Assistant - Build a proper assistant with detailed configuration
- Test extensively - Chat with your assistant, identify issues, refine instructions
Week 2: Enhancement¶
- Create a Knowledge Base - Upload documents for smarter responses
- Customize Appearance - Match your brand identity
- Deploy on Website - Share or embed your assistant
- Monitor conversations - Review interactions, gather feedback
Week 3: Advanced¶
- Function Templates - Add real-time capabilities (optional)
- Multi-Channel - Connect Instagram, Messenger, etc.
- Channel Rules - Automate responses per channel
- Optimize continuously - Analyze patterns, update knowledge base
Subscription Tiers¶
All accounts start on the Basic tier with limited but functional capabilities:
| Feature | Basic (Free) | Medium | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistants | 2 | 6 | 20 |
| Knowledge Bases | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| Storage per Store | 5 MB | 35 MB | 100 MB |
| Monthly Messages | 1,000 | 10,000 | 50,000 |
| Function Templates | 1 | 15 | 50 |
See Subscription Tiers for complete pricing and limits.
Start Free, Upgrade When Ready
The Basic tier is perfect for testing and small projects. Upgrade when you need more assistants, storage, or message volume.
Tips for Success¶
- Start Simple
- Don't try to build a perfect assistant on day one. Start with basic instructions and enhance gradually.
- Test Early and Often
- Chat with your assistant frequently during development. Catch issues before deploying publicly.
- Upload Relevant Documents
- Even a few well-chosen documents dramatically improve response quality.
- Monitor Conversations
- Check real user conversations regularly to identify gaps in knowledge or instruction clarity.
- Be Specific in Instructions
- Vague instructions produce vague responses. Be explicit about tone, boundaries, and behavior.
New to AI chatbots?
Start with the Quickstart to create a basic chatbot without complex configuration. You'll have something working in under 5 minutes.