For AI agents: a documentation index is available at the root level at /llms.txt and /llms-full.txt. Append /llms.txt to any URL for a page-level index, or .md for the markdown version of any page.
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OverviewElevenCreativeElevenAgentsElevenAPIReception AIAPI referenceChangelog
OverviewElevenCreativeElevenAgentsElevenAPIReception AIAPI referenceChangelog
  • Get started
    • Overview
    • Quickstart
  • Receptionist
    • Overview
    • Voice and language
    • Rules
    • Call settings
    • Testing
  • Scheduling
    • Overview
    • Services
    • Business hours
    • Staff
  • Features
    • Booking page
    • Inbox
    • Business assistant
    • Analytics
    • Phone numbers
  • Knowledge base
    • Overview
    • Website scraping
    • File uploads
  • Integrations
    • Overview
    • Google Calendar
    • Zapier
    • Webhooks
    • MCP server
  • Billing
    • Plans and pricing
    • Usage and limits
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On this page
  • Answering mode
  • AI agent first (default)
  • Staff first
  • Call transfer rules
  • Example transfer rules
  • Blocked numbers
Receptionist

Call settings

Configure answering mode, call transfers, and blocked numbers.
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Testing your receptionist

How to verify your receptionist handles calls correctly.
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Call settings control how inbound calls are handled — who answers first, when to transfer, and which numbers to block.

Answering mode

Answering mode determines who picks up the phone first when a call comes in.

AI agent first (default)

The AI receptionist answers immediately. Best for businesses that want 24/7 coverage without human involvement.

Staff first

Your staff’s phone rings first. If nobody answers within the configured ring time (5–60 seconds), the AI receptionist takes over.

When staff-first is enabled, you configure:

SettingDescription
Staff phone numberThe number to ring first
Max ring timeHow long to ring before AI takes over (5–60 seconds)
Hold musicWhat the caller hears while waiting (ambient, classical, electronica, guitars, rock, soft-rock)
Connecting messageSpoken to the caller while ringing staff
Agent fallback messageSpoken when staff doesn’t answer and AI takes over
Staff answering hoursSchedule when staff-first is active (outside these hours, AI answers directly)

Staff-first mode is useful during business hours when you prefer personal interaction, with AI as a safety net for missed calls.

Call transfer rules

Transfer rules let your receptionist route calls to specific people or departments based on what the caller says. You can create up to 10 transfer rules per receptionist.

Each rule has:

  • Label — Short name (1–200 characters)
  • Condition — When to trigger, in natural language (1–2000 characters)
  • Destination — Phone number to transfer to

Example transfer rules

LabelConditionDestination
OwnerCaller asks to speak with the owner or managerOwner’s mobile
BillingCaller has questions about billing, payments, or invoicesFinance line
EmergencyCaller describes an emergency or urgent medical situationEmergency contact
Specific personCaller asks for Sarah by nameSarah’s direct line

Blocked numbers

Block specific phone numbers from reaching your receptionist. Blocked callers are rejected immediately. Numbers can also be blocked directly from a conversation history or client profile.