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Prerequisites

A website with the Chatbase embed script already installed and working. New to Chatbase? Check out Your First Agent to get started with the embed script first.

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Setting Up Custom Initial Messages

Configure initial messages using the JavaScript embed script to create personalized welcome experiences:

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Personalized Messages

Add user-specific content to your greetings by combining user identification with custom messages for personalized experiences: 
// Get user information (from your auth system)
const user = getCurrentUser();

// Set personalized messages
window.chatbase.setInitialMessages([
  `Hi ${user.name}!`,
  "I remember our last conversation about your project.",
  "How can I help you today?"
]);
Personalized messages

Personalized messages

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Dynamic Content Examples

Create context-aware messages based on user behavior or current page: 
// Based on current page
const currentPage = window.location.pathname;
let messages = ["Hello! I'm here to help."];

if (currentPage.includes('/pricing')) {
  messages = [
    "Looking at our pricing?",
    "I can help you choose the right plan for your needs."
  ];
} else if (currentPage.includes('/support')) {
  messages = [
    "Need technical support?",
    "I'm here to help resolve any issues you're experiencing."
  ];
}

window.chatbase.setInitialMessages(messages);

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Method Reference

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setInitialMessages()

Set the messages displayed when the agent first loads:
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messages
string[]
required
Array containing the messages to display in sequenceRequirements:
  • Must be an array of strings
  • Total character count limited to 1000 characters
Custom initial messages are shown only once per session. If a user refreshes the page or navigates to another page during the same session, the messages won’t appear again to avoid creating an intrusive experience.

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Best Practices

Write effective initial messages
  • Keep messages concise: Use short, clear messages that guide users effectively
  • Avoid lengthy paragraphs: Break long content into multiple shorter messages
  • Be specific: Mention what you can help with rather than generic greetings
  • Use action-oriented language: Encourage users to engage with specific questions
Use user data thoughtfully
  • Respect privacy: Only use information users have explicitly shared
  • Add value: Personalization should enhance the experience, not just show off data
  • Handle missing data: Always have fallback messages for when user data isn’t available
  • Test thoroughly: Verify personalized messages work with different user states
Optimize when messages are set
  • Set early: Configure initial messages as soon as possible in your application lifecycle
  • Wait for embed script: Ensure Chatbase script has loaded before calling setInitialMessages
  • Consider async operations: If fetching user data, handle loading states gracefully
  • Cache when appropriate: Store computed messages to avoid recalculating on every visit
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