# Quickstart Agent

You'll get an agent that searches the web, scores relevance using your criteria, and sends you a personalized digest. No feeds. No noise.

**Perfect for:** Knowledge workers drowning in newsletters, operators who need signal over noise, anyone building domain expertise.

### Features

* **Personalized search**: Agent decides which sources to search based on your topics
* **Smart filtering**: Scores articles against your job context and values
* **Autonomous scheduling**: Runs every Monday at 07:00 without you
* **Slack delivery**: Digest arrives in your [Slack ](https://docs.riff.ai/integrations/native-integrations/slack)channel with article summaries

### Create your news digest agent

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Step 1 - Create an account

Go to **riff.ai** and sign up.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Step 2 - Describe your agent

<figure><img src="https://4203676568-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fmj3x7kCuQ8vAs0u0uIPo%2Fuploads%2FeWM9z24N1k3MxWdEhjLU%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cd93c57b-cf3b-4f55-9b8f-bff1af498aa9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Paste this into the prompt box:

> Build a personalised newsletter agent that uses OpenAI and Tavily MCP to search the internet for latest news and insights from my preferences. Compiling a daily newsletter that will be summarised and sent to Slack.
> {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Step 3 - Confirm the plan → Build

Riff will generate a Riff Card — the build plan. Review it. Adjust if needed. Click **Confirm plan → Build project**.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4203676568-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fmj3x7kCuQ8vAs0u0uIPo%2Fuploads%2FAkB0sWLr0wOSZ0D2OGzG%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c24aa210-9981-4980-8323-145fd7a8fe0e" alt="" width="380"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Step 4 - Complete the tasks

Your workspace is live.&#x20;

You'll see a preview tab, this is the interface the agent has designed for your app.&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
Note: This is a placeholder interface and will not function at this stage.
{% endhint %}

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4203676568-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fmj3x7kCuQ8vAs0u0uIPo%2Fuploads%2FTrEQNBC3u0DNOiWazb7s%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2d295391-9481-487f-a8a0-f81164595d48" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

The agent creates a task list and runs until it needs input. Click on the [Tasks ](https://docs.riff.ai/features/workspace-features/tasks)tab to see the plan the agent has created to complete your application.

{% hint style="info" %}
Note: your tasks may look different.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://4203676568-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fmj3x7kCuQ8vAs0u0uIPo%2Fuploads%2FhqzX4c3FHnG21skf3iS6%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5173c2d1-91b3-4d11-9d6f-9466cb4b8999" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Task 1** is already complete as the agent has created a user interface page.
* **Task 2** will typically be to set up your integrations for OpenAI, Tavily and Slack.
* **Task 3** create a backend for your app, this will be the process that will run. In this case, it will be searching and summarizing relevant content.
* **Task 4** is to make your personalise your agent search.  In this case, the agent will:&#x20;
  * Create an interface for you to enter your content&#x20;
  * Set up the [database](https://docs.riff.ai/features/native-database) to store and retrieve your content preferences.
* **Tasks 5 & 6** create the [schedule ](https://docs.riff.ai/features/workspace-features/schedules)to trigger the process and deliver the outputs to [Slack](https://docs.riff.ai/integrations/native-integrations/slack).

The agent will ask for your **OpenAI API key and your Tavily MCP key**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Step 5 - Test your agent

Click **"Run now"** to trigger the agent manually.

Check your Slack channel. You should receive a digest with 5 articles, scored and summarized based on your criteria.

**Not relevant enough?** Tell the agent in plain English:

* "Make the 'practical insights' filter stricter"
* "Ignore anything from corporate blogs"
* "Add 'AI regulation' as a topic"

The agent updates its logic. Test again.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Step 6 - Deploy

When it looks right: **Deploy** → choose a short URL → **Deploy app**.

Your agent now runs autonomously every Monday at 07:00. You can share the URL with teammates to build their own personalized digests.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Well done!

You've built an autonomous agent that researches, evaluates, and reports — without you lifting a finger!
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

<details>

<summary>Get your Open AI API key</summary>

1. **Create an OpenAI Account**:

* Visit the OpenAI platform website and click on **Sign Up** if you don't have an account. You can also log in using your Google or Microsoft account if you prefer.

2. **Log In**:

* If you already have an account, click on **Log In** and enter your credentials.&#x20;

3. **Access the API Keys Section**:

* Once logged in, click on your profile icon at the top-right corner of the page and select **View API Keys** from the dropdown menu.&#x20;

4. **Create a New API Key**:

* On the API keys page, click on the **Create New Secret Key** button. This will generate a new API key for you.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Get your Tavily API Key</summary>

To **obtain your Tavily API key**, follow these steps:

* Go to the **Tavily website** (<https://tavily.com/>) and log in to your account. If you don’t have an account, sign up first.
* Navigate to the **API section** at <https://app.tavily.com/home>. Your API Key will be displayed in the “API Keys” section.
* If you need to create an additional API key, click on the "+" button next to the API keys section in your dashboard.
* You receive **free API Credits** every month, which allows for personal use and experimentation.

</details>

**Tip:**&#x20;

* When prompted for your OpenAI key, get one at [platform.openai.com/api-keys](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys). Paste it in. The agent continues building.
* When prompted for your Tavily API key, get one at [app.tavily.com/home](https://app.tavily.com/home) Paste it in. The agent continues building.