---
title: Get started with Elastic Agent Builder
description: Learn how to enable Elastic Agent Builder, ingest data, and start chatting with AI agents.
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/get-started
products:
  - Elastic Cloud Serverless
  - Elastic Observability
  - Elastic Security
  - Elasticsearch
  - Kibana
applies_to:
  - Elastic Cloud Serverless: Generally available
  - Elastic Stack: Generally available since 9.3, Preview in 9.2
---

# Get started with Elastic Agent Builder
To start using Elastic Agent Builder you need an Elasticsearch deployment. If you don't already have an Elasticsearch deployment, refer to [Get started with search](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/solutions/search/get-started).
For Elastic Cloud Hosted deployments, make sure you are using the solution navigation instead of classic navigation. You can set up a new [space](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/deploy-manage/manage-spaces) to use the solution nav.
<admonition title="Admonition">
  This feature requires the appropriate Elastic Stack [subscription](https://www.elastic.co/pricing) or Serverless [project feature tier](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/deploy-manage/deploy/elastic-cloud/project-settings).
</admonition>

<stepper>
  <step title="Enable {{agent-builder}}">
    <applies-switch>
      <applies-item title="{ "serverless": "ga", "elasticsearch" }" applies-to="Serverless Elasticsearch projects: Generally available">
        Elastic Agent Builder is enabled by default in serverless Elasticsearch projects. You can access it from multiple entry points in the UI:
        - Select the **Agent Builder** card on the Elasticsearch home page.
        - Click **Agents** in the navigation menu.
        - Click the **AI Agent** button in the top-right header to start a conversation from any page.
        - Open the **Agent builder** API tutorial from the Kibana **Getting started** page, under **Explore the API**.
        You can also search for **Agents** in the [global search field](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/find-and-organize/find-apps-and-objects).
      </applies-item>

      <applies-item title="{ "serverless": "preview", "observability" }" applies-to="Serverless Observability projects: Generally available">
        In Elastic Observability projects, you must [switch from AI Assistant to Agent Builder](/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/ai-chat-experiences/ai-agent-or-ai-assistant#switch-between-chat-experiences) to enable the feature.Once enabled, find **Agents** in the navigation menu to begin using the feature, or search for **Agents** in the [global search field](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/find-and-organize/find-apps-and-objects).
      </applies-item>

      <applies-item title="{ "serverless": "preview", "security" }" applies-to="Serverless Security projects: Generally available">
        In Elastic Security projects, you must [switch from AI Assistant to Agent Builder](/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/ai-chat-experiences/ai-agent-or-ai-assistant#switch-between-chat-experiences) to enable the feature.Once enabled, find **Agents** in the navigation menu to begin using the feature, or search for **Agents** in the [global search field](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/find-and-organize/find-apps-and-objects).
      </applies-item>

      <applies-item title="stack: preview =9.2, ga 9.3+" applies-to="Elastic Stack: Generally available since 9.3, Elastic Stack: Preview in 9.2">
        On non-serverless deployments, Elastic Agent Builder availability depends on the navigation mode of your Kibana space:
        - **Elasticsearch solution view**: Elastic Agent Builder is enabled by default, replacing Search Assistant. You can access it from multiple entry points:
          - Select the **Agent Builder** card on the Elasticsearch home page.
        - Click **Agents** in the navigation menu.
        - Click the **AI Agent** button in the top-right header to start a conversation from any page.
        - Open the **Agent builder** API tutorial from the Kibana **Getting started** page, under **Explore the API**.
        - **Elastic Observability and Elastic Security solution views**: You must [switch from AI Assistant to Agent Builder](/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/ai-chat-experiences/ai-agent-or-ai-assistant#switch-between-chat-experiences) to enable the feature. Once enabled, find **Agents** in the navigation menu.
        - **Classic view**: Elastic Agent Builder appears in the side navigation under Elasticsearch. You can choose Agent Builder as your assistant through the initial selector or the [chat experience switch](/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/ai-chat-experiences/ai-agent-or-ai-assistant#switch-between-chat-experiences).
        You can also search for **Agents** in the [global search field](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/find-and-organize/find-apps-and-objects).
      </applies-item>
    </applies-switch>

    <note>
      To learn about required privileges for Elastic Agent Builder, refer to [Permissions and access control](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/permissions).
    </note>
  </step>

  <step title="Ingest data into Elasticsearch">
    If you already have data in Elasticsearch, skip ahead to [start a conversation](#start-a-conversation).If you need to add data first, choose the path that fits:**Use sample data**If you're not ready to add your own data, you can:
    - Load [sample data](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/manage-data/ingest/sample-data) in Kibana.
    - Generate synthetic financial data using [this Python tool](https://github.com/jeffvestal/synthetic-financial-data?tab=readme-ov-file#synthetic-financial-data-generator-). (This requires your [Elasticsearch URL and an API key](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/solutions/elasticsearch-solution-project/search-connection-details)).
    - Follow the [Elastic Agent Builder API tutorial](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/agent-builder-api-tutorial), which includes sample book data.
    **Bring your own data**If you already have data, you can:
    - [Upload a file](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/manage-data/ingest/upload-data-files) in the Kibana UI for quick testing.
    - Learn about your [ingestion options](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/manage-data/ingest) if you'd like to ingest larger datasets.
  </step>

  <step title="Start a conversation">
    The **Agent Chat** UI provides a conversational interface where you can interact with agents and explore your data using natural language. The default `Elastic AI Agent` is ready to use immediately.Learn more in [Agent Chat](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/chat).
  </step>

  <step title="Configure model (optional)">
    On Elastic Cloud Hosted and Elastic Cloud Serverless, Elastic Agent Builder comes with preconfigured models ready to use. To switch models or add your own, refer to [model selection and configuration](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/models).
  </step>

  <step title="Begin building agents and tools">
    Once you've tested [built-in agents](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/builtin-agents-reference) with [built-in Elastic tools](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/tools), you can begin [building your own agents](/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/custom-agents#create-a-new-agent) with custom instructions and [creating your own tools](/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/tools/custom-tools#create-custom-tools-in-the-ui) to assign them. You can also clone the default `Elastic AI Agent` as a starting point for a custom agent.To build agents and tools programmatically, try the [Elastic Agent Builder API tutorial](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/agent-builder-api-tutorial) or explore the [Kibana APIs](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/ai-features/agent-builder/programmatic-access).
  </step>
</stepper>