> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.diaflow.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.diaflow.io/teammates/introduction-to-diaflow-teammate.md).

# Introduction to Diaflow Teammate

Get up and running with Diaflow AI Teammates, explore your workspace, hire specialized agents, and start delegating work in minutes.

Welcome to **Diaflow AI Teammate** - an intelligent digital workforce designed to collaborate alongside your team as autonomous, specialized colleagues.

Rather than being another passive chatbot, a **Diaflow Teammate** has a dedicated job role, domain expertise, access to your business tools, and the capability to run automated routines in the background.

***

## What Makes an AI Teammate Different?

Traditional AI tools wait for prompts. An AI Teammate actively owns responsibilities and drives business outcomes.

| Feature                | Traditional AI Chatbot                | Diaflow AI Teammate                                         |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Role & Persona**     | Generic, one-size-fits-all            | Dedicated role (e.g., Marketing Lead, Data Analyst)         |
| **Tool Execution**     | Text answers only                     | Takes real actions in Google Sheets, Slack, HubSpot, CRM    |
| **Automation**         | Passive (only responds when prompted) | **Autonomous Routines** (runs on schedules or app events)   |
| **Delivery**           | Trapped in the chat window            | Sends actionable reports directly to your **Inbox**         |
| **Knowledge & Skills** | Public internet knowledge             | Grounded in your private docs, SOPs, and company data       |
| **Lifecycle**          | Ephemeral sessions                    | Persistent memory, configurable settings & safe offboarding |

***

## Core Capabilities at a Glance

* **Talent Pool & Custom Personas:** Hire pre-built specialists (Marketing, Sales Ops, Operations) or create a custom Teammate with tailored instructions in seconds.
* **Conversational Collaboration:** Assign tasks via natural language, trigger one-click **Quick Tasks**, or dictate requests using voice input.
* **Autonomous Routines:** Schedule recurring workflows (Daily, Weekly, Monthly) or trigger actions automatically when external events occur (e.g., new emails or calendar events).
* **Tangible Artifacts:** Generate ready-to-use documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and reports directly in your workspace.
* **Enterprise Control & Safety:** Configure granular tool permissions (*System default, Always, Optional, Banned*), control token budgets, and pause Teammates with 30-day safe data preservation.

***

### Next Steps

Jump into your workspace and start working with your AI colleagues:

* [**Chat & Daily Work**](/teammates/chat-and-daily-work.md) - Learn how to assign tasks and manage work artifacts.
* [**Routines & Automation**](/teammates/routines-and-automation.md) - Set up your first autonomous background workflow.