# Build Your First Coworker

This guide takes you from an empty workspace to a live AI Coworker you can chat with — a simple support assistant on NeoGPT. It takes about ten minutes.

<details class="watch">
<summary><span class="watch-thumb"><img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Yb0arnh_iVw/mqdefault.jpg" alt=""><span class="video-length">4:46</span></span><span class="watch-text"><span class="watch-label">Watch: Build Your First Coworker</span><span class="watch-meta">5 min · Episode 1 of 9</span></span></summary>
<div class="video"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Yb0arnh_iVw?rel=0&autoplay=1" title="Build Your First Coworker · Neo: Coworker in depth, Episode 1" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen loading="lazy"></iframe></div>
<p class="video-caption">Part of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdwdGIspgPs0">Neo: Coworker in depth</a>. <a href="../videos/coworkers.html#ep-1">All episodes</a>.</p>
</details>

For everything each tab can do, see the [AI Coworkers](../coworkers/index.html) section. For a richer, multi-channel build with skills, memory, and human approvals, see the [worked example](../coworkers/worked_example.html).

## Before you start

You need access to a workspace with permission to create and publish Coworkers, and at least one foundation model enabled in the workspace. If either is missing, ask your workspace administrator.

## Step 1 — Create the Coworker

In the left sidebar, open **Coworkers** and click **Create Coworker**. On the welcome screen, click **Let’s get started**.

## Step 2 — Describe who it is

On **Basics & Identity**, fill in the five required fields:

- **Name** — `Ada`
- **Tone** — *Friendly*
- **Job role** — `Support Assistant`
- **Foundation model** — any model enabled in your workspace
- **Objective** — `Answer common questions clearly, and hand off to a human when unsure.`

Optionally add a **Persona & principles** note such as *“Be concise and always offer a next step.”* Then click **Next** — your Coworker now exists as a draft.

## Step 3 — Give it a channel

On the **Channels** step, add **NeoGPT**. Give it a name and a welcome message such as `Hi! I'm Ada. What can I help you with?`. NeoGPT is internal chat and needs no credentials, so it is the quickest way to test.

## Step 4 — Add a skill (optional)

On the **Skills** step, switch on one ready-made skill your workspace offers — for example a web-search or knowledge tool. If none are available yet, skip this; you can add skills any time.

Click **Skip for now** on the remaining steps, then **Complete** on the last one to close the wizard.

## Step 5 — Publish

Open Ada from the **Coworkers** list, click **Publish**, and confirm. Ada is saved as a version, deployed, and becomes **Active**.

The NeoGPT channel you added in Step 3 starts switched off, because channels can only be enabled once a Coworker has been published. Open the **Channels** tab and switch NeoGPT on — Ada is now ready to use.

## Step 6 — Try it out

Open Ada in **NeoGPT** and send a message. Then open the **Traces** tab on Ada’s page to see how it handled the request — which skills it used and what came back.

## What’s next

That’s a working Coworker. From here you can:

- Add more [channels](../coworkers/channels.html) — Microsoft Teams or Outlook email.
- Give it more [skills](../coworkers/skills.html), including agents you have built in other builders.
- Turn on [memory](../coworkers/memory.html) so it remembers across conversations.
- Add [guardrails and approvals](../coworkers/governance.html) for sensitive actions.

For a complete, real-world build, follow the [worked example](../coworkers/worked_example.html).