Getting started with IBM watsonx Orchestrate

IBM watsonx Orchestrate is an intuitive, AI-powered platform that you can use to create, configure, and deploy intelligent agents that can automate business tasks. Whether you're automating repetitive workflows or building complex multi-agent systems, the platform is designed to support users of all skill levels.

With watsonx Orchestrate, you can:

  • Build and deploy agents without writing code
  • Automate tasks such as scheduling, data entry, and approvals
  • Start small and scale up with advanced tools and integrations
  • Explore the clean, guided UI that simplifies agent creation and management.

Get a quick overview of how to use watsonx Orchestrate and learn the basics of creating your first AI agent:



Video - Welcome to watsonx Orchestrate

Working with AI agents

An AI agent is a system that runs tasks on behalf of a user or another program, either autonomously or with minimal user input. These tasks are often triggered by specific events, and the agent reports outcomes back to the user or system.

When agents interact with users, they learn optimal actions or make informed decisions. This learning process often uses reinforcement learning techniques, by enabling the agent to achieve a specific goal. With their ability to perceive, reason, and act, agents can be strategically applied across domains such as finance, healthcare, and HR to enhance efficiency, customer experience, and business growth.

You can interact with AI agents in several ways:

  • Use prebuilt agents and external agents from the catalog to get started quickly.
  • Create custom agents that use the no-code experience in the agent builder.
  • Access shared agents directly from your chat interface if your team already deployed them.

Explore the following sections to learn how to discover, create, and use AI agents effectively.

Knowing your role

Defining the roles of a team within a platform is key to clarifying responsibilities and boosting operational performance. On watsonx Orchestrate, each role contributes to the shared goal: building and using AI agents for business.

Three roles form the foundation of the platform: admin, builder, and user. However, to help ensure cohesive operations and strategic alignment, a fourth role is also essential: the product expert. Know each one:

  • Admin: The first member to join watsonx Orchestrate, the admin is responsible for granting user access and assigning roles. They must ensure that the platform is properly configured and ready for building and using AI agents.
  1. Are you an admin? Go to Configuring the watsonx Orchestrate environment

  • Builder: The designer and creator of AI agents. Builders are responsible for developing agents that are tailored to specific business needs. They collaborate closely with users and admins to gather input and create solutions that streamline workflows and boost productivity.

    Are you a builder? Go to Building AI agents to get started.

  • User: The person who interacts with AI agents to complete tasks more quickly and efficiently. Their primary interface on the platform is Orchestrate Chat, which allows them to run tasks through a conversational and intuitive experience.

    Are you a user? Go to Using AI agents in the Orchestrate Chat to get started.

  • Product expert: A versatile member who embodies all three core roles—admin, builder, and user. Product experts oversee the full agentic experience, from configuring administrative settings to orchestrating complex multi-agent workflows. Their deep understanding of the platform ensures seamless integration and strategic alignment in the team.

    Are you a product expert? Complete the three learning paths to unlock your full potential.

For more information about roles and its capabilities, see Roles on IBM watsonx Orchestrate.

Configuring the watsonx Orchestrate environment

Some configurations are primordial to prepare the watsonx Orchestrate for the whole team, such as:

  • Add users and define roles
  • Configure connections and team credentials
  • Configure the security of the instance in the platform.

Among other administrative settings. Follow the next guide path and click each step to know all the admin's assignments and start working on watsonx Orchestrate.

Figure 1: Guide path to configure the watsonx Orchestrate environment.


Building AI agents

With the Agent Builder, a no-code studio, it's possible to design agents from scratch or customize templates from prebuilt agents. Builders can create agents with knowledge sources, collaborative agents and tools, in addition to deploy and integrate with external channels.

Follow the next guide path and click each step to know all the builder's assignments and start working on watsonx Orchestrate.

Figure 2: Guide path to build agents.


Using AI agents in the Orchestrate Chat

With the environment prepared and agents ready to go, the user needs to learn how to navigate and use the environment effectively, by using agents in the Orchestrate Chat to maximize productivity, resolve tasks, and get work done with optimal performance.

Follow the next guide path and click each step to know all the user's assignments and start working on watsonx Orchestrate.

Figure 3: Guide path to use agents in the Orchestrate Chat.


Additional resources

Explore supplementary resources for a deeper understanding of watsonx Orchestrate.

  • What's new in IBM® watsonx Orchestrate®: Stay up to date with the latest releases with improvements and new features from the watsonx Orchestrate team.

  • IBM watsonx Orchestrate ADK: Know more about the IBM watsonx Orchestrate Agent Development Kit (ADK), a set of tools that are designed to make it easy to build and deploy agents using watsonx Orchestrate.