---
title: Configuration guide
description: Find model, connection, environment and employee permission settings, then verify the result.
lastVerified: 2026-10-18
---

# 3.15 Configuration guide

For your first setup, configure a model under **Settings > Models**, complete an ordinary conversation, then add the knowledge, skills and tools your employees need. After that, adjust only the settings relevant to the work at hand.

## 1. Find the right settings

| What to change | Where to go | Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Language, theme and developer tools | Settings > General | Change the relevant preference; developer tools enable features such as reviewing file changes |
| Models and API keys | Settings > Models | [Configure models and keys](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/start/models.md) |
| Local working directory | Settings > Execution locations | Choose the working directory; see [Configuration and data locations](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/deploy/configuration.md) for local and container paths |
| MCP, native extensions and execution capabilities | Settings > Connections and environment | [Use native execution capabilities](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/guides/native-capabilities.md) |
| Run mode for new sessions | Settings > Agent presets | [Choose a mode and execution method](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/guides/native-capabilities.md#choose-a-run-mode-and-execution-method); existing sessions retain their preset |
| An employee's role, knowledge, skills and tool permissions | Employees > Open the employee | [Create and manage AI employees](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/guides/colleagues.md) |
| Apps, skills and connections | Resources > Apps (added items are in My apps) | [Manage capabilities and connections](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/guides/capabilities.md) |
| Automatic experience and memory updates | Settings > Auto Dream | [Automatically organize work experience](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/guides/auto-dream.md) |
| Speech recognition, speech output and calls | Settings > Voice service | [Voice and calls](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/guides/conversations.md#voice-and-calls) |
| Product issues and suggestions | Settings > About > Send feedback | No conversation required; describe the issue or suggestion and optionally add a contact email |

Use **Component status** to investigate loading or running problems. For extension installation and configuration, start with **Connections and environment**.

## 2. Save connection and run settings

Enter model, key or connection details on the relevant page, then use its save, connect or enable action. If Teloa needs a restart, wait for active work to finish first.

Installed, enabled and connected are different states. An installed extension may still need its components enabled, keys entered or local dependencies prepared. Inspect the actual status of the item you configured; saving successfully does not establish that a call has succeeded.

## 3. Assign capabilities and permissions to employees

Open the employee's profile and check its responsibilities, knowledge scope, skills and available tools. When an edit requires the employee to be paused, pause it first, save the change, then return it to work.

A Skill describes how to work. An MCP connection provides tools. Business authorization determines which tools and resources an employee can use and when approval is required. Installing or enabling an extin does not expand employee permissions. See [Skills, knowledge, connections and authorization](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/concepts/capabilities.md).

## 4. Verify with a small task

Verify an ordinary conversation first, then assign the target employee a small task with a clear scope. For example, ask it to read a specified document, summarize three points and name the source. Inspect tool results, items requiring your attention and the final deliverable in the task record.

If ordinary conversations work but an employee's task fails, check that employee's model, run preset, tool permissions and error record. For connection failures, check the service address, keys and the network of the device running Teloa first. See [Troubleshooting](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/deploy/troubleshooting.md) for more help.

Teloa manages business and employee configuration. Models, native tools and run environments are saved through the agent engine's configuration services. Everyday setup happens on the corresponding product pages; developers can read [Business capabilities and execution engine boundaries](https://docs.teloa.ai/v/0.2.0/markdown/en/develop/engine-integration.md).