Ai Parameters

AI Parameters

Summary: Tune conversation behavior with parameters for speech detection, timeouts, barge control, and AI model settings. For a complete parameter reference, see AI Parameters Reference.

Parameter Categories

Category	Key Parameters	Purpose
Speech Detection	end_of_speech_timeout, energy_level	Control when speech ends
Timeouts	attention_timeout, inactivity_timeout	Handle silence and idle callers
Barge Control	barge_match_string, transparent_barge	Manage interruptions
AI Model	temperature, top_p, max_tokens	Tune response generation

Setting Parameters

from signalwire_agents import AgentBase


class MyAgent(AgentBase):
    def __init__(self):
        super().__init__(name="my-agent")
        self.add_language("English", "en-US", "rime.spore")

        # Set multiple parameters at once
        self.set_params({
            "end_of_speech_timeout": 600,
            "attention_timeout": 15000,
            "inactivity_timeout": 45000,
            "temperature": 0.5
        })

Essential Parameters

Speech Detection

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
end_of_speech_timeout	int	700	Milliseconds of silence before speech is complete
energy_level	int	52	Minimum audio level in dB (0-100)

## Fast response - shorter silence detection
self.set_params({"end_of_speech_timeout": 400})

## Patient agent - longer silence tolerance
self.set_params({"end_of_speech_timeout": 1000})

Timeouts

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
attention_timeout	int	5000	Milliseconds before prompting idle caller
inactivity_timeout	int	600000	Milliseconds before ending call (10 min default)

## Quick service - prompt quickly if silent
self.set_params({
    "attention_timeout": 5000,    # "Are you there?" after 5 seconds
    "inactivity_timeout": 30000   # End call after 30 seconds
})

## Patient service - give caller time to think
self.set_params({
    "attention_timeout": 20000,   # Wait 20 seconds before prompting
    "inactivity_timeout": 60000   # Wait full minute before ending
})

Barge Control

Barge-in allows callers to interrupt the AI while it's speaking.

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
barge_match_string	str	-	Phrase required to trigger barge
transparent_barge	bool	true	Enable transparent barge mode

## Require specific phrase to interrupt
self.set_params({
    "barge_match_string": "excuse me"
})

AI Model

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
temperature	float	0.3	Randomness (0-2, higher = more creative)
top_p	float	1.0	Nucleus sampling threshold
max_tokens	int	256	Maximum response length
frequency_penalty	float	0.1	Reduce repetitive phrases

## Consistent responses (FAQ bot)
self.set_params({"temperature": 0.2})

## Creative responses (entertainment)
self.set_params({"temperature": 0.9})

## Balanced for customer service
self.set_params({
    "temperature": 0.5,
    "frequency_penalty": 0.3
})

Use Case Presets

Customer Service

self.set_params({
    "end_of_speech_timeout": 600,
    "attention_timeout": 12000,
    "inactivity_timeout": 45000,
    "temperature": 0.5
})

Technical Support

self.set_params({
    "end_of_speech_timeout": 800,    # Patient for complex explanations
    "attention_timeout": 20000,
    "inactivity_timeout": 60000,
    "temperature": 0.3               # Precise responses
})

IVR Menu

self.set_params({
    "end_of_speech_timeout": 400,    # Quick response
    "attention_timeout": 8000,
    "inactivity_timeout": 20000,
    "temperature": 0.2               # Very consistent
})

Tuning Guide

If callers are...

Problem	Solution
Being cut off mid-sentence	Increase end_of_speech_timeout
Waiting too long for response	Decrease end_of_speech_timeout
Not hearing "Are you there?"	Decrease attention_timeout
Getting hung up on too fast	Increase inactivity_timeout

If responses are...

Problem	Solution
Too repetitive	Increase frequency_penalty
Too random/inconsistent	Decrease temperature
Too predictable	Increase temperature
Too long	Decrease max_tokens

Complete Example

#!/usr/bin/env python3
## configured_agent.py - Agent with AI parameters configured
from signalwire_agents import AgentBase


class ConfiguredAgent(AgentBase):
    def __init__(self):
        super().__init__(name="configured-agent")
        self.add_language("English", "en-US", "rime.spore")

        self.set_params({
            # Speech detection
            "end_of_speech_timeout": 600,

            # Timeouts
            "attention_timeout": 15000,
            "inactivity_timeout": 45000,

            # AI model
            "temperature": 0.5,
            "frequency_penalty": 0.2
        })

        self.prompt_add_section(
            "Role",
            "You are a helpful customer service agent."
        )


if __name__ == "__main__":
    agent = ConfiguredAgent()
    agent.run()

More Parameters

For the complete list of all available parameters including:

• ASR configuration (diarization, smart formatting)
• Audio settings (volume, background music, hold music)
• Video parameters
• Advanced behavior controls
• SWAIG control parameters

See the AI Parameters Reference in the Appendix.