---
title: Quick Start
summary: Talk to your first agent through the web console or the API, then optionally connect a channel.
date: 2026-09-03
---

# Quick Start

Talk to your first agent through the web console or the API, then optionally connect a channel.

With a provider connected and an agent created (see [First Setup](/en/docs/getting-started/first-setup)), you're ready to actually use it.

## Start a Conversation

The fastest way to test your agent is the built-in web console. On your agent's detail page, click **"Open Console"**: a real-time chat interface connected directly to your agent.

Type a message and press Enter. The agent processes it through the full pipeline (context loading, memory retrieval, LLM inference, response generation) and replies within a few seconds.

You can also test via the API:

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.heartbeatagents.com/v1/conversations \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "agent_id": "agent_abc123",
    "messages": [
      { "role": "user", "content": "Hello! What can you do?" }
    ]
  }'
```

## Connect a Channel (optional)

To deploy your agent on Slack, Discord, or another platform, go to **Channels → Connect Channel** and follow the OAuth flow for your chosen platform.

## Next Steps

- Review [Configuration](/en/docs/getting-started/configuration) for managing multiple providers as you add more agents.
- Explore the Guides and Features sections (linked in the sidebar) once you're ready to go deeper on agent management, memory, and integrations.