---
title: "Create an AI Default Reply"
description: "Add a New Chatbot item with Reply Mode AI and Default Reply Yes so unmatched messages get an AI answer."
slug: "/features/chatbots/ai-default"
---

In this tutorial, you will create one **New Chatbot** item that uses **AI** and **Default Reply**.

**Time needed:** 8 minutes

## Before you start

Make sure:

- This instance is on **AI**.
- You already saved a persona. If not, finish [Turn on AI mode](/features/chatbots/ai-mode) first.

> Only one **AI Default Reply** is allowed on this instance.

## 1. Open Chatbots & Tools

On the instance page, open **Chatbots & Tools**.

Click **New Chatbot**.

<figure class="doc-shot-ph shot-01-new-chatbot-ai" data-shot="01-new-chatbot-ai.png">
  <div class="doc-shot-ph-frame" role="img" aria-label="New Chatbot"><span class="doc-shot-ph-title">New Chatbot</span><span class="doc-shot-ph-hint">Screenshot reference</span></div>
</figure>

## 2. Set Reply Mode to AI

In **Basic Settings**:

1. Enter a **Name**.

**Example:** `Default AI`

2. Leave **Status** on **Enable**.
3. Set **Reply Mode** to **AI**.

<figure class="doc-shot-ph shot-02-reply-mode-ai" data-shot="02-reply-mode-ai.png">
  <div class="doc-shot-ph-frame" role="img" aria-label="Reply Mode AI"><span class="doc-shot-ph-title">Reply Mode AI</span><span class="doc-shot-ph-hint">Screenshot reference</span></div>
</figure>

## 3. Turn on Default Reply

Set **Default Reply** to **Yes**.

Keyword fields hide. That is correct for a catch-all AI item.

<figure class="doc-shot-ph shot-03-default-reply-yes" data-shot="03-default-reply-yes.png">
  <div class="doc-shot-ph-frame" role="img" aria-label="Default Reply Yes"><span class="doc-shot-ph-title">Default Reply Yes</span><span class="doc-shot-ph-hint">Screenshot reference</span></div>
</figure>

## 4. Save the item

Click **Create Chatbot**.

<figure class="doc-shot-ph shot-04-create-ai-default" data-shot="04-create-ai-default.png">
  <div class="doc-shot-ph-frame" role="img" aria-label="Create Chatbot"><span class="doc-shot-ph-title">Create Chatbot</span><span class="doc-shot-ph-hint">Screenshot reference</span></div>
</figure>

## Make sure it worked

The item appears in **Chatbots & Tools** with **AI** and **Default Reply**.

You can send any test question from your phone. The bot should reply in its own words, not a fixed script.

## If it didn’t work

### Default Reply is locked

**Reply Mode** is still **Normal**. Set it to **AI** first.

### I see an error about one Default Reply

Another item already has **Default Reply** on. Open that item and use it, or turn **Default Reply** off there first.

## Next

Send new leads to your phone in [Add a Leads Forwarder tool](/features/chatbots/leads-forwarder).