Create and edit agent presets

An agent preset decides how a chat runs in DataMind Oda: the instructions Oda follows, the capabilities it may use, the skills it can load and the model it starts on. This page covers making a preset of your own and changing it later; choosing which preset a chat runs is covered on Agent presets.

Make your own preset

1. Open Settings > Agent presets.
2. Duplicate the preset you want to start from, or create one from a source preset. The copy starts from everything the source names: its instructions, capabilities, skills choice and model. The original stays unchanged.
3. In the Custom section you can also choose Let the agent help me create a preset and describe what the preset should do; a task starts and Oda writes the preset for you.
4. Change the fields you want and save. Your presets live under Custom.

Presets that come with Oda, and presets installed for you, are read-only: the list carries no edit or delete rows for them, and a change to one is refused: Built-in and installed presets cannot be changed. Duplicate the preset and edit the copy.

The fields

• The name is required and can be up to 64 characters.
• The description can be up to 500 characters, and it shows with the preset in the list.
• The instructions can be up to 32,768 characters, and they say how Oda should work under this preset. They add to Oda's own guidance; they never replace it. You can insert {{model}}, {{cwd}} (the folder the chat works in) and {{provider}}, and Oda fills them in for each chat.
• The switches turn the capabilities of the preset on and off; only the capabilities the preset offers appear.

The skills choice

The skills choice decides which skills Oda can use under this preset. There are three choices:

• Every skill, including skills installed later.
• Only the skills you list.
• Everything except the skills you list.

Skill names are lowercase with hyphens, for example review-checklist. Leave the choice as it is and your copy keeps the source preset's choice.

The default model

• Pick from the models your company offers; this is the same list the chat model picker shows.
• If the preset names no model, chats on it start on the default model for your company. If it names one, chats on it start on that model until you choose a different model for the chat.

Saving, deleting and versions

• A save applies at once: new chats use the saved version. Chats that are already running keep the version they started with.
• Deleting a preset clears it as your default for new tasks if you had set it there, and a chat that ran on it cannot be resumed after it closes.
• If a change leaves a preset unable to start, it stays in the list with the reason, and no new chat can start on it while it is in that state.

Questions, answered

Can I change a preset that comes with Oda?

No. Presets that come with Oda, and presets installed for you, are read-only. A change to one is refused: Built-in and installed presets cannot be changed. Duplicate the preset and edit the copy. Duplicate it, edit the copy, and save; the copy is yours.

Why won't my preset save?

The app checks the preset before saving and shows what to fix:

• Enter a name for the preset. when the name is empty.
• The preset name is too long. when it passes 64 characters.
• The preset description is too long. when it passes 500 characters.
• The preset instructions are too long. when they pass 32,768 characters.
• Double braces in the instructions can only insert {{model}}, {{cwd}} or {{provider}}. when the instructions use another double-brace word.
• The skill selection must be all, include or exclude, and list only skill names. when the skills choice cannot be saved.
• The default model must name a provider and a model. when the model choice is incomplete.
• The model "<name>" is not available. Choose one of the listed models or use the default model. when the model is not one of the offered ones.

If the app cannot save presets, the save is refused: This application cannot save presets.

What can the instructions contain?

Your own guidance for chats on this preset: how work should be done, what to check first, what to avoid. They add to Oda's own guidance and never replace it. You can insert {{model}}, {{cwd}} (the folder the chat works in) and {{provider}}; Oda fills them in for each chat. Any other text in double braces is refused when you save.

Which skills can a preset use?

One of three choices: every skill (including skills installed later), only the skills you list, or everything except the skills you list. Skill names are lowercase with hyphens, for example review-checklist. Leave the choice as it is and a copy keeps the source preset's choice. Skills in chat covers how Oda picks and runs skills.

Which model can I name as the default?

Pick from the models your company offers, the same list the chat model picker shows; Models and providers covers that list. A model that is not on it cannot be picked. A model you picked earlier that has since left the list is kept, and the preset still saves unchanged.

Does saving a preset affect chats that are already running?

No. New chats use the saved version; a chat that is already running keeps the version it started with.

What happens to my new-task default when I delete a preset?

Deleting the preset that is your default for new tasks clears that choice, and new tasks start in the application default again. Choosing a mode for new tasks is covered on Choose a mode for a new task.

Can I rename my preset?

Yes. Change the name and save. The name is a label: the preset's id, built from its name when the preset was created, stays the same when you rename it. You never need to type the id.