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

# Welcome message

> Add or remove a custom welcome message for your Playlab app

## What is this feature?

The Welcome Message feature gives you complete control over how conversations begin in your Playlab app. You can add a custom greeting to introduce your app and guide users, or remove the welcome message entirely for a clean, minimal start to conversations.

<Note>
  If you remove your welcome message, we recommend you add starter inputs to gather information from your intended user
</Note>

## Rationale for this Feature

Whether you want to add context and guidance or prefer a streamlined experience without any introductory text, this feature adapts to your app's needs:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Add a Welcome Message when you want to:" icon="plus">
    * Introduce your app's purpose and capabilities
    * Provide instructions or helpful context
    * Guide users toward specific features or starter inputs
    * Set expectations for the conversation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Remove the Welcome Message when you want to:" icon="minus">
    * Create a clean, minimal interface
    * Let users dive straight into conversations
    * Avoid any introductory friction
    * Maintain focus on user-initiated interactions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How to configure your welcome message

<img height="400" src="https://mintcdn.com/playlabai/3KUkXnizECw3JUVl/images/optionalwelcome.gif?s=4ad15d09dc1db507cf3b59f618c4834b" className="border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm" data-path="images/optionalwelcome.gif" />

Access the Welcome Message settings through your app builder's settings menu.

### Step-by-Step Guide

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings Menu">
    Navigate to the settings menu on the right side of the Playlab builder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate Welcome Message Section">
    Find the **Welcome Message (optional)** section in your settings panel.

    <img height="300" src="https://mintcdn.com/playlabai/3KUkXnizECw3JUVl/images/optionalwelcome.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=3KUkXnizECw3JUVl&q=85&s=942c7dfc3b590ca95528b2e28c251366" className="border border-gray-300 rounded-md shadow-sm" alt="Welcome message settings" data-path="images/optionalwelcome.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add or Remove Your Message">
    **To add a welcome message:** Enter your custom text in the field. Keep it concise and actionable.

    **To remove the welcome message:** Clear the text field completely to disable the welcome message.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Test">
    Your changes automatically save. Test by starting a new conversation in the builder to see your welcome message (or lack thereof) in action.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Tips for Welcome Messages

<Card>
  ### ➕ When Adding a Welcome Message

  * **Keep it brief** - 1-3 sentences work best. It should end in a question.
  * **Be actionable** - Tell users what they can do next
  * **Test different approaches** - Try various styles to see what resonates

  ### ➖ When Removing the Welcome Message

  * **Consider your audience** - Advanced users may prefer jumping straight in
  * **Leverage starter inputs** - Add starter inputs to guide your user interactions
  * **Test user experience** - Verify that removing the message doesn't create confusion
</Card>

## FAQ

<Accordion title="Can I switch between having and not having a welcome message?">
  Yes, you can add or remove the welcome message anytime. Just remember to republish your app for changes to take effect in the published version.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="What happens when I remove the welcome message?">
  When removed, users will see a clean interface and can immediately start typing or use starter inputs without any introductory text.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I use formatting in welcome messages?">
  Welcome messages support basic text formatting, but keep styling simple for best compatibility across devices.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How do I know if I should add or remove the welcome message?">
  Consider your users and app purpose. Add one for guidance and context, remove it for a streamlined, advanced user experience.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Do I need to republish after making changes?">
  Yes, you'll need to republish your app for welcome message changes to appear in your published version.
</Accordion>

## We Want Your Feedback!

Have you found success with adding welcome messages, or do you prefer the clean approach of removing them? We'd love to hear about your experience and what works best for your users!

Contact us at [support@playlab.ai](mailto:support@playlab.ai)

***

Last updated: 06-17-2025