> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://documentation.proto.cx/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://documentation.proto.cx/docs/modules/ai-agents/publishing/webchat/proactive-messages.md).

# Proactive messages

{% hint style="info" %}
Proactive messages let the AI agent send the first message — engaging website visitors before they type anything.
{% endhint %}

Configure in the Webchat channel's **Proactive Messages** accordion.

***

## Colours

| Setting                              | Description                                   |
| ------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Message colour**                   | Background of the proactive message bubble.   |
| **Quick reply button border colour** | Border colour of any quick reply buttons.     |
| **Quick reply button colour**        | Background colour of any quick reply buttons. |

Select **Save** to confirm changes.

***

## Add a proactive message

At the bottom of the accordion, select **Create new proactive message**. This generates an expandable, draggable card for each message.

***

## Edit a proactive message

Expand a card to see its options across three tabs.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Triggers" %}

| Setting          | Description                                                                                                                                                   |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Time on page** | Seconds between page load and the message appearing.                                                                                                          |
| **URL rules**    | Which pages the message applies to. Use `*` to include all pages under a path, e.g. `/solutions/*`. Use `!` to exclude a path, e.g. `!/solutions/government`. |
| **API trigger**  | Copy the **Proactive message ID** to trigger it from your own service.                                                                                        |
| {% endtab %}     |                                                                                                                                                               |

{% tab title="Messages" %}
Up to five message bubbles per trigger.

| Type              | Description                                       |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Text message**  | Standard inline text.                             |
| **Media message** | Image (.jpg, .png, .webp) or video (.mp4, .webm). |

{% hint style="info" %}
Proactive message bubbles are free to send and don't appear in conversation history. Paid [interactions](/docs/getting-started/interactions.md) are only consumed once a person replies.
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Buttons" %}
Up to five quick reply buttons per message.

| Setting            | Description                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Button action**  | **Quick reply** (sends a follow-up message), **Hyperlink** (opens a URL), or **Jump to trigger** (starts a route in [Workflows](/docs/modules/ai-agents/workflows-and-actions.md)). |
| **Button text**    | Up to 40 characters.                                                                                                                                                                |
| **Action details** | Configures the chosen action.                                                                                                                                                       |
| {% endtab %}       |                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| {% endtabs %}      |                                                                                                                                                                                     |

***

## Delete a proactive message

1. Open the message's accordion.
2. At the bottom, select **Delete** and confirm.

***

## Related

{% content-ref url="/pages/L3qPAv0zCf6hsqzxbWE9" %}
[Webchat](/docs/modules/ai-agents/publishing/webchat.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}