How long does it take?

A focused no-code agent can be tested the same day; a coded agent with custom integrations usually takes longer.

Do I need to know how to code?

No, not with a no-code platform. You need clear instructions and your business information.

AI agents · Guide · Updated November 1, 2026

How to build an AI agent: a step-by-step guide (with and without code)

To build an AI agent you define one job with a clear goal, give the agent the knowledge it needs, connect the tools it may use (calendar, CRM, payments), choose where it talks to people (phone, WhatsApp, chat, email), test it on real conversations and monitor it after launch. Developers can code this with open-source frameworks; business teams can use a no-code platform such as Jelliu and launch the same day.

By JelliuUpdated November 1, 2026

Jelliu in one paragraph

Jelliu is a no-code platform for autonomous AI agents (called Bop) that answer and make phone calls and handle WhatsApp, email and web chat in English, Spanish and Portuguese — for sales, customer support, appointment booking, collections and outbound campaigns. It has a permanent Free plan with 15 voice minutes a month; paid plans start at $99/month (Starter $99, Growth $249, Business $549; Enterprise custom, including installation on your own servers).

The 6 steps

Define one job and success metric (for example: book qualified demos)
Write instructions and limits: tone, what it may and may not do, when to hand off
Add knowledge: FAQs, prices you publish, policies, documents
Connect tools: calendar, CRM, payment links, transfer to a person
Choose channels: phone number, WhatsApp, web chat, email
Test with real scenarios, launch, then review conversations weekly

Code vs no-code

With code, frameworks such as LangGraph or CrewAI and voice APIs such as Vapi or Retell give full control, but your engineers build and maintain the phone numbers, campaigns, integrations and monitoring. With a no-code platform you describe the job in plain language and connect channels from a dashboard. Choose code if the agent is your product; choose no-code if the agent serves your business.

Build one free with Jelliu

Sign up, describe the job, add your information, connect a phone number or WhatsApp and test. The Free plan includes 15 voice minutes a month, with no time limit.

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