---
title: "What is the AI Reply Agent and how does it work?"
description: "Reply Agent drafts a reply to each lead response in your Master Inbox. See how drafts are reviewed, sent, and set to manual or auto-send."
url: https://helpcenter.smartlead.ai/en/articles/431-what-is-the-ai-reply-agent-and-how-does-it-work
collection: "SmartAgents"
updated: 2026-11-06
language: en
---

# What is the AI Reply Agent and how does it work?

Reply Agent drafts a reply to each lead response in your Master Inbox. See how drafts are reviewed, sent, and set to manual or auto-send.

The Reply Agent writes a draft reply each time a lead answers one of your campaigns. The draft is saved in the Master Inbox, where you can edit it, accept it, or reject it. Use it when you want a fast reply for each lead that moves the conversation toward your goal, without writing every response yourself.

## How it works

You set up a Reply Agent once. The setup asks for:

-   **Primary Goal:** Book Meeting, Re-engage Lead, Close Deal, or Qualify Lead.
    
-   **Agents Scope:** Account-level, Client-level, or Campaign-level.
    
-   **Category Application:** Apply across all email replies, or only to specific lead categories.
    
-   **Reply Modes:** Auto Send Replies or Manual Reply preview. You must choose one.
    
-   **Reply Tone & Length:** a tone of Professional, Casual, Friendly, or Direct, and a length of Short, Medium, or Long.
    
-   **Context & Guidance** and **Integrations** (both optional): your communication style, business context, objection handling, resource links to share, and Calendly.
    

![Reply Agent setup screen](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/2wLivjrCiCbcbUVYKxO5Aq24ydOjei1tCvSXs7FXYuzBrNrDehl8B7YMU0kwNm03oNS48KaW1qu.png)

When a lead replies, the agent reads the conversation and writes a draft in that lead's thread. The draft appears under **Email Reply Drafted by**, followed by the agent's name, the subject line, and the draft text.

![Reply Agent draft in the Master Inbox](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/S614beCAxrM2QKioxDrDWFvdPktKBDvepsqqpI0j8YU3z8FUuPHSjBnvAJ8wr71QxfHTmBs2BAi.png)

The draft has these actions:

-   **Accept & Send** sends the draft. A 5-second countdown starts, and **Undo** stops the send before it goes out.
    
-   **Edit Reply** opens the reply editor so you can change the text first.
    
-   **Reject** discards the draft. If the agent has no context or calendar link yet, you may see a prompt to add them first.
    
-   **Edit**, next to the agent's name, opens the agent's configuration.
    

![Reply Agent draft actions](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/iqKV12CPjKn6cdEKFVzfU5pJCRvUOb8RPdORHOasiZUtDlGzuVqVnen1M1tVtMJr5H1jyhEHvIA.png)

All drafts are also listed under the **Drafts by Agent** filter in the Master Inbox.

![Drafts by Agent filter in the Master Inbox](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/uDrn3FcYquaBzNQkksBQ3T8hL0bN9wTOxDGUtqrVBTwZPQ38pnhp8aaKtm9Ls8y0gr765Lvwr7n.png)

## When to use it

-   You get many replies and want a first draft ready for each lead.
    
-   You want the same goal and tone across campaigns. An account-level agent's context applies to all campaigns and clients under that account.
    
-   You want different handling for some lead categories. Choose specific categories when you set up the agent.
    

## Good to know

-   **Start with Manual Reply preview.** Nothing goes out until you send it.
    
-   **Auto Send Replies sends without manual review.** Switch to it after you have checked enough drafts to trust them.
    
-   **You can change settings later.** Use **Edit** on a draft, or the settings button on the Reply Agent card in the campaign's **Reply Agent** tab.
    

## FAQ

### Does the Reply Agent send replies on its own?

Only in Auto Send Replies mode. In Manual Reply preview, every draft waits for you.

### Where do I find my drafts?

Open the Master Inbox and select the **Drafts by Agent** filter. You can also open a lead's thread, where the draft appears.

### How do I create a Reply Agent?

Open the Smart Agent page, select the **Reply Agents** tab, and select **Create Reply Agent**.

### Can I change the goal, tone, or reply mode later?

Yes. Select **Edit** next to the agent's name on a draft, or use the settings button on the Reply Agent card in the campaign's **Reply Agent** tab.

## Related articles

-   [What is AI categorization and how does it work with Smartlead?](https://helpcenter.smartlead.ai/en/articles/150.md)
    
-   [How does unsubscribing work?](https://helpcenter.smartlead.ai/en/articles/1.md)