What is an Agent?

In a HopGPT context, an agent is a customized chatbot that you build and configure for a specific purpose. Unlike a standard chat conversation, an agent comes with a defined personality, set of instructions, and optional attachments that shape how it behaves every time you use it – think of a HopGPT agent as a specialized chatbot designed for a particular task, role, or use case.

What makes HopGPT agents useful?

  • Reusable: Save and reuse across conversations
  • Customizable: Tailor behavior for a specific use case
  • Shareable: Once created, you can share it with others

Examples

  • A research chatbot that uses the data you give it to summarize findings
  • A customer support chatbot that only answers product-related questions
  • A coding chatbot that always writes in Python and explains its reasoning

How to Create an Agent

Note: Agent Builder is an experimental feature available to select pilot users. Access is currently by invitation only.

1. Open Agent Builder.
  • The Agent Builder icon is located on the left of HopGPT. Click the robot icon to open. 
  • Select Create New Agent from the dropdown.
2. Enter its name and description. 
  • Name your agent. Enter a descriptive name, so you and others can easily understand its function. 
  • Add an optional Description, which will appear when you start a chat with the agent.
  • Under the Category dropdown, select an option to display your agent in the Agent Marketplace (coming soon).
3. Next, write the instructions.
  • The instructions section is where you describe how the agent should behave, its tone, focus, and limitations.
  • The FAQ on this page includes tips for writing good instructions.
4. Now, configure the model.
  • Click the Model selector box. This will open the Model Parameters menu.
  • At the top of the Model Parameters screen, select your model Provider. 
  • After selecting a provider, choose your preferred Model.
    • Note: Agent Builder does not have access to all HopGPT models.
    • Please visit the Models page for help in selecting the best option for your purpose.
5. Create your chatbot.
  • After you’ve configured the model, scroll down the Model Parameters screen.
  • Click the green Create button. When complete, click the back arrow at the top of the Model Parameters screen to go back to the Agent Builder screen.
6. Next, enable files and add content.
  • Under the Model section, click to activate Enable File Search. This will allow you to provide your agent with additional context to inform how it responds.
  • Click Upload for File Search to attach PDFs, docs, spreadsheets, and other files the agent should use. Agent Builder supports up to 10 attachments.
    • Note: HopGPT cannot connect to the Internet. Attached files are the only way the agent can access information outside of the LLM’s training data.
7. Lastly, add your contact information and save.
  • Enter your name and Hopkins email address, so others you share your agent with can contact you with questions or suggestions. 
  • Press save and test out your chatbot!

Available Features

  • Access multiple LLM options for specialized chatbots, including popular models from Open AI, Anthropic, and Meta.  
  • Upload up to 40 files, to increase the technical knowledge on the chatbot’s topic. This tool can be utilized to create specific departmental agents that can analyze and explain complex reports, data sets, and user manuals.   
    • You can only upload 10 files at a time, but up to 50 total depending on the size of your files.

Limitations

  • HopGPT Agent Builder is not designed to handle large coding projects and should not be used in replacement of coding first tools such as GitHub CoPilot or Claude Code.
  • HopGPT Agent Builder does not include image or video creation.  
  • Max document size without error is under 50 MB, however files take significant time to load if not under 20 MB.
  • Chatbots cannot be shared thru a link with other users.
  • HopGPT cannot perform a web search by any means, including through Agent Builder. This is to maintain HopGPT’s ability to protect PHI and PII.
  • HopGPT cannot verify facts in real time. It should never be relied upon for medical, legal or financial advice.

Agent Marketplace

What is Agent Marketplace?

Coming soon! Agent Marketplace is HopGPT’s catalog of ready-made AI agents you can use to extend HopGPT’s capabilities without having to create your own agent. Think of it like an app store for purpose-built chatbots: each one is configured to perform a specific task or set of tasks (e.g., reading documents, extracting insights, and running analyses).

How To Access Agent Marketplace
  • When available, you’ll notice an Agent Marketplace option in the left navigation panel.
  • Click Agent Marketplace to view HopGPT agents available to you.
  • Once inside Agent Marketplace, you can browse available agents. Search by keyword or browse by category.
  • When you find an agent of interest, click on the tile select the agent. This will open a pop-up box with the agent details.
    • To begin using the agent, click Start Chat.
Benefits
  • Agent Marketplace saves time vs. building from scratch: Pre-built chatbots come with instructions, prompts, and integrations already configured, so you don’t need to design and tune them yourself.
  • Fewer errors: Templates follow best practices and come tested, reducing common logic and prompt-design mistakes.
  • Standardization: Reusing vetted chatbots helps maintain consistent behavior and quality across teams and projects.
  • Customizable starting point: You can adapt marketplace chatbots to your specific workflows instead of building from zero.

FAQs

What tips do you have for writing good instructions?

BE SPECIFIC. For optimal results, we recommend the CLARITY model for giving your agent clear and descriptive instructions:

  • Context: Define the environment, purpose, and problem the agent is solving. 
  • Limitations: State what the agent must NOT do, assume, or fabricate. 
  • Authority: Assign a role, expertise level, and perspective. 
  • Resources: List the exact information sources the agent may use. 
  • Instructions: Give your agent explicit tasks, steps, and response rules. 
  • Tone: Specify the agent’s communication style, complexity, and length. 
  • Yield: Describe what a successful output from the agent should achieve.

Remember, agents are AI. You must always check for mistakes.

How do I share an agent I created?

Within the Agent Builder menu, scroll toward the bottom of the screen. You’ll notice to the left of the save button, there are three buttons in the order of delete, share, and duplicate respectively.

NOTE: Only the agent owner has the ability to share an agent they create. As an agent owner, when you choose to share an agent, any instructions or data contained in its attachments become visible to all viewers of the agent.

How to share an agent: 

  1. Open Agent Builder.
  2. Create or select your agent.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the Agent Builder tab.
  4. Click the share button (represented by a branch icon, located to the left of the green save button) to open the sharing menu. 
  5. In the search bar, search for a person or group. Select the appropriate option from the results.
  6. After selection, set the user’s permissions using the dropdown menu to the right of their name and assign one of the following roles: 
    • Viewer (Default): Can access the agent but cannot edit, share, or delete.  
    • Editor: Can edit and copy the agent but cannot share or delete the agent.
    • Owner: Has full access to edit, share, copy, and delete the agent. They can change other user’s roles including adding and removing users.
    • Remove button (x): removes the user from being able to access the agent.  
  7. Click the Save Changes button to apply your updates, or click Cancel to discard them. 
    • NOTE: The bottom left corner of this screen contains a deeplink to the agent. This link will not work for anyone who does not have access to the agent. Each user must be added explicitly from the share screen. Any user who attempts to chat from this link that does not have a Viewer, Editor, or Owner role will encounter an error.

How do I edit an agent after I’ve created it?

Open Agent Builder and click on the drop down containing the words Create New Agent. This will show you the agents that have already been created and are editable. Simply click on the name of the agent you would like to edit.

How many agents can I create?

There is currently no limit on the number of agents you can create in HopGPT.

How many files can I include in my agent?

Agent Builder supports approximately 40-50 files, depending on the file size.

Does the agent remember past conversations?

No. HopGPT and Agent Builder have no memory features. Each chat is independent.

Is my data safe?

Yes. The agent only uses content that you, the owner, have access to. HopGPT is safe for sensitive data, including PHI and PII. The attachments you provide are the only way the agent can access specialized information. NOTE: When you share an agent in HopGPT, you essentially share any attachments the agent can access.

Do I need special permission to use Agent Builder? 

Currently, Agent Builder is an experimental feature available to select pilot users. Access is available by invitation only.

If an owner deletes a file from an agent, is the information still accessible? 

Once a file has been removed, it is no longer accessible to the agent. NOTE: Any others you share the agent with are not notified when changes are made to the agent. 

What happens when agent ownership is transferred? 

  • At least one owner is required for an agent. You can assign the Owner role to others, which will allow them edit, share, and delete capabilities. Once you have done this, you may change your role or even remove yourself from having access to the agent.
  • If an agent is orphaned, contact [email protected] for assistance.