> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vambe.me/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create your first pipeline

> Learn how to build a sales funnel with AI assistants and human agents using Vambe Mercur.

## 🎯 What you'll build

You'll create your first sales pipeline in Vambe Mercur with AI assistants and human agents to automate customer interactions, qualify leads, and drive conversions.

<Tip>
  Pipelines in Vambe are called "Embudos" (funnels) - structured flows that
  guide customers from first contact to conversion.
</Tip>

***

## Understanding Vambe Mercur

Vambe Mercur transforms your customer service by automating responses, scheduling appointments, and processing payments while you sleep. Everything starts with your **pipeline (embudo)**.

### What is a Pipeline?

A pipeline is a visual representation of your sales process where potential customers move through different stages before converting. Each stage can be handled by:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Assistants" icon="robot" color="#3B82F6">
    **Blue stages** - Automated virtual assistants powered by AI

    * Answer FAQs about products/services
    * Qualify initial prospects
    * Schedule appointments
    * Collect customer data
    * Process standard sales
    * Provide 24/7 support
  </Card>

  <Card title="Human Agents" icon="user" color="#F97316">
    **Orange stages** - Your team members for complex interactions

    * Handle special negotiations
    * Resolve complex cases/complaints
    * Close high-value sales
    * Provide detailed proposal customization
    * Manage exceptions and edge cases
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  AI assistants learn about your company through configuration "blocks" where
  you teach them your sales process, products, and communication style.
</Info>

***

## How Pipeline Flow Works

When a customer starts chatting with your assistant, here's what happens:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Contact Card Creation">
    The system automatically generates a contact card containing all conversation history between the AI and your customer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Intelligent Processing">
    The AI analyzes each message and generates appropriate responses based on your
    configuration, deciding whether to: - Continue the conversation - Move to
    another AI assistant stage - Transfer to a human agent
  </Step>

  <Step title="Real-time Monitoring">
    You can see in real-time where each customer is in your sales process based on
    their responses.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Automatic Stage Progression">
    When customers show interest, the AI detects keywords or behavior patterns and automatically moves them to the next stage using configured "triggers."
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Multi-Channel Support

Connect multiple channels simultaneously while maintaining consistent communication:

| Channel       | Use Case                       | Integration          |
| ------------- | ------------------------------ | -------------------- |
| **WhatsApp**  | Direct, personal communication | Business API         |
| **Instagram** | Social media lead capture      | Comments, DMs        |
| **Webchat**   | Website visitors               | Embedded chat widget |
| **Messenger** | Facebook users                 | Business integration |

<Note>
  All channels use the same assistant configuration, ensuring consistent
  messaging regardless of where customers contact you.
</Note>

***

## Pipeline Use Cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Appointment Scheduling" icon="calendar">
    **Perfect for consultations, demos, or service bookings**

    * AI qualifies the customer and schedules directly in your calendar
    * Collects pre-appointment information
    * Sends automatic reminders
    * Handles rescheduling requests

    **Flow:** Initial contact → Qualification → Calendar integration → Confirmation → Reminders
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="E-commerce Sales" icon="store">
    **Ideal for online stores and product catalogs**

    * Helps customers find products
    * Answers product questions
    * Processes basic orders
    * Handles shipping inquiries
    * Escalates complex issues to humans

    **Flow:** Product inquiry → Recommendations → Order processing → Payment → Fulfillment
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Lead Qualification" icon="filter">
    **Great for B2B services and high-ticket items**

    * Identifies qualified leads
    * Collects contact information
    * Segments customers by needs
    * Filters out non-ideal prospects
    * Prioritizes high-quality leads

    **Flow:** First contact → Qualification questions → Scoring → Segmentation → Human handoff
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Customer Support" icon="headset">
    **Perfect for handling common inquiries**

    * Resolves frequent questions instantly
    * Collects issue details
    * Routes complex problems to specialists
    * Provides 24/7 basic support
    * Escalates urgent matters

    **Flow:** Issue identification → Self-service options → Data collection → Routing → Resolution
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Creating Your Pipeline

### Prerequisites

Before building your pipeline, ensure you have:

* ✅ Completed the [Quickstart guide](/docs/quickstart)
* ✅ At least one communication channel connected
* ✅ Clear understanding of your sales process
* ✅ Defined customer journey stages

<Warning>
  **Important:** Review the lead management guides before creating automated systems:

  * [Sales Funnel Management](https://www.skool.com/vambe/classroom/64c0a2ad?md=cfbc84fa2d7e486b80bea5e00cd670ee)
  * [Pipeline Flow Understanding](https://www.skool.com/vambe/classroom/64c0a2ad?md=d970ac4e0b7649ebb317e25d256003c9)
</Warning>

### Step-by-Step Creation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Vambe Mercur">
    Navigate to your Vambe dashboard and locate the pipeline section. You'll see vertical rectangles (stages) in blue and orange representing your funnel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Design Your Stages">
    Plan your customer journey:

    1. **Entry point** - How customers first contact you
    2. **Qualification** - What information you need to collect
    3. **Engagement** - How you nurture interest
    4. **Conversion** - Your sales or appointment process
    5. **Follow-up** - Post-conversion care
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure AI Assistants">
    For each blue stage, configure your AI assistant:

    * **Training blocks** - Teach about your company, products, and processes
    * **Response style** - Define tone and communication approach
    * **Triggers** - Set conditions for moving to next stage
    * **Data collection** - Specify what information to gather
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Up Human Handoffs">
    For orange stages, configure when and how to transfer to your team:

    * **Handoff triggers** - Define conditions requiring human intervention
    * **Team assignment** - Route to appropriate specialists
    * **Context transfer** - Ensure smooth conversation continuity
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test and Refine">
    Before going live:

    * Test all conversation paths
    * Verify trigger conditions work correctly
    * Ensure data collection is complete
    * Confirm human handoffs function properly
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Get Your Pipeline ID

Once your pipeline is created, you can retrieve its ID using the Vambe API:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X GET \
    -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
    https://api.vambe.me/api/public/pipeline
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  const response = await fetch('https://api.vambe.me/api/public/pipeline', {
    headers: { 'x-api-key': process.env.VAMBE_API_KEY },
  });
  const pipelines = await response.json();
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import requests

  response = requests.get(
    'https://api.vambe.me/api/public/pipeline',
    headers={'x-api-key': os.environ['VAMBE_API_KEY']}
  )
  pipelines = response.json()
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Expected Response

```json theme={null}
{
  "pipelines": [
    {
      "id": "pipeline_abc123",
      "name": "Sales Funnel",
      "stages": [
        {
          "id": "stage_1",
          "name": "Initial Contact",
          "type": "ai_assistant"
        },
        {
          "id": "stage_2",
          "name": "Qualification",
          "type": "ai_assistant"
        },
        {
          "id": "stage_3",
          "name": "Sales Consultation",
          "type": "human_agent"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

<Tip>
  Save your pipeline ID - you'll need it for API integrations, webhooks, and
  analytics tracking.
</Tip>

***

## Best Practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Assistant Optimization" icon="brain">
    * Keep training blocks focused and specific
    * Use clear, conversational language
    * Test edge cases and unexpected inputs
    * Regularly update knowledge base
    * Monitor conversation quality
  </Card>

  <Card title="Human Handoff Strategy" icon="handshake">
    * Define clear handoff criteria - Provide context to human agents - Set
      response time expectations - Train team on AI-generated leads - Maintain
      conversation continuity
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pipeline Performance" icon="chart-line">
    * Track conversion rates by stage - Monitor drop-off points - Analyze customer
      journey data - A/B test different approaches - Optimize based on results
  </Card>

  <Card title="Customer Experience" icon="heart">
    * Ensure natural conversation flow
    * Personalize interactions when possible
    * Provide clear next steps
    * Respect customer preferences
    * Offer human option when needed
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Next Steps

<Check>
  Congratulations! You now understand how to create and manage pipelines in
  Vambe Mercur.
</Check>

Ready to build more advanced automations?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Advanced Pipeline Features" icon="gear" href="/docs/create-pipeline">
    Learn about complex routing, conditions, and integrations
  </Card>

  <Card title="Webhook Integration" icon="webhook" href="/docs/webhooks">
    Set up real-time notifications for pipeline events
  </Card>

  <Card title="Analytics Dashboard" icon="chart-bar" href="/docs/analytics">
    Monitor performance and optimize your funnels
  </Card>

  <Card title="Team Management" icon="users" href="https://app.vambeai.com/team">
    Configure roles and permissions for your pipeline
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  Need help setting up your first pipeline? Check out our detailed video guides
  or contact support for personalized assistance.
</Info>