## Default Reply Feature

The _Default Reply_ feature provides a configurable, Intent-specific response triggered when the NLU model detects a matching Intent from the user input.

## Key Benefits

- **Instant Response Delivery**: A predefined reply, for example, `Thank you for your order`, is sent as soon as the Intent is recognized, improving the user experience with prompt feedback.
- **Flexible Flow Control**: You can decide whether the Flow proceeds or pauses after the default reply, offering adaptability to different use cases.
- **Enhanced Understanding of User Queries**: With the default reply providing additional context, the AI Agent can better interpret diverse user inputs, leading to improved recognition accuracy and more effective responses.

## Prerequisites

Before using the default reply, ensure the following:

1. A Flow is created in Cognigy.AI with at least one defined Intent.
2. Access to the NLU settings within the Flow to configure the default reply.

## Restriction

- The default reply is tied to specific Intents and requires manual configuration. It won’t activate if it is overridden by other settings like attached Flows or Question Node validations.

## How to Use

Add the default reply to a specific Intent. If you’ve configured the default reply for multiple Intents, adjust the settings at the Flow level to ensure consistent default reply behavior.

### Add the Default Reply

1. In the Flow editor, go to **NLU > Intents** and select an Intent.
2. Go to the **Default Reply** section and configure the following settings:

| **Setting** | **Description** |
| --- | --- |
| Include Default Reply in NLU Training | Defines whether the default reply should be used in the NLU model training. You can select one of the following options:<br> - **Use Flow Settings** — the NLU training settings will follow the configuration in the **Include Default Reply in NLU Training** setting defined in **Settings > Configuration**.<br> - **On** — the default reply will be included in the NLU model training.<br> - **Off** — the default reply won’t be used in the NLU model training. |
| Channel | Specifies the channel to which the response applies. The default channel is **AI**. |
| Output Type | Specifies the type of response, supporting the same output types as the [Say Node](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/develop/node-reference/basic/say). The default output is **Text**. |
| Reset | Resets the **Output Type** setting to its default value. |

### Configure the Default Reply for All Intents in the Flow

1. In the Flow editor, go to **Settings > Configuration** and select an Intent.
2. Go to the **General Flow Logic** section and configure the following settings:

| **Setting** | **Description** |
| --- | --- |
| Pass Default Reply into Flow | Passes the default reply into the `nlu.intentMapperResults.finalIntentDefaultReply` Input object for use in Flow logic. The default reply message won’t appear in the chat. The setting is disabled by default. |
| Continue Flow after Default Reply | Continues executing the Flow logic immediately after the default reply has been delivered, without waiting for the user input. The setting is disabled by default. |
| Include Default Reply in NLU Training | Includes the default replies in the NLU model training for matching Intents. This setting is enabled by default and can be customized for each Intent. |

### How to Test

1. In the Interaction Panel, enter a phrase matching the Intent. For example, `I want to order a pizza`.
2. Verify that the default reply is sent immediately.

The Flow continues or pauses depending on how you configured the **Continue Flow after Default Reply** setting.

## Example

Imagine a pizza ordering AI Agent.

**Intent**: `Order Pizza`

**Default reply**: `Great choice! Your order is being processed.`

**User Input**: `I'd like a pizza`

The NLU detects the Intent, the AI Agent sends the default reply, and the Flow either continues to ask for toppings or pauses.

## More Information

- [Intents](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/platform-features/nlu/intents/overview)
- [Example Sentences](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/platform-features/nlu/intents/example-sentences)