Agent Settings

Agent settings let you control which AI model powers each agent and add custom instructions that shape how they work. This is the place to go when you want the AI to follow your specific guidelines or when you want to experiment with different models.

Choosing an AI Model

Each agent in StarZero Agents can be powered by a different AI model. You can change the model from the Customize → Agents page for persistent defaults, or switch models mid-conversation using the Chat Settings popover (the gear icon next to the message input). Changes made in the popover apply to the current session immediately.

You'll find options from several providers:

• Google Gemini — Google's AI models
• Anthropic Claude — Anthropic's AI models
• OpenAI GPT — OpenAI's models
• DeepSeek — DeepSeek's models
• MoonShotAI — MoonShotAI's models (Kimi)
• Qwen — Alibaba's Qwen models
• Zhipu (GLM) — Zhipu AI's models
• OpenRouter — Access to additional models from various providers

Different models have different characteristics. Some are faster, some are more creative, and some are better at precise analytical work. The default models have been chosen to work well for each agent's role, but you're free to experiment.

Model Comparison Stats

When browsing models in the selector, each model displays three stat bars to help you compare:

• Speed — How quickly the model responds. Higher means faster output.
• Intelligence — How capable the model is at complex, multi-step tasks. Based on independent industry benchmarks. Some newer models may show "unknown" if they haven't been benchmarked yet.
• Cost — How many credits the model uses per interaction. Higher means more expensive.

Each stat is shown as a row of filled bars (up to 5). The fill level is relative — a model with 4 bars of intelligence is among the most capable currently available, while 2 bars is average.

Not sure which model to pick? Stick with the defaults. They've been selected to balance quality and speed for each agent's specific job.

Adding Custom Rules

Custom rules are standing instructions written in plain English that an agent follows in every conversation. Think of them as permanent notes to your production team.

How to Add Rules

1. Open Customize → Agents tab
2. Select the agent you want to configure
3. Type your rule in the custom rules field
4. Save your changes

Example Rules by Agent

The Producer:

• "Always default to 9:16 aspect ratio unless I specify otherwise"
• "Use word-by-word captions on every project"
• "Keep cutdowns under 60 seconds unless I ask for longer"

Search Agent:

• "Always include timestamps in search results"
• "Prefer clips that are at least 5 seconds long"
• "Exclude clips from the intro and outro of episodes"

Analysis Agent:

• "Keep summaries under 200 words"
• "Always identify speakers by name when quoting"
• "Focus on actionable insights over general observations"

Critique Agent:

• "Pay special attention to caption timing accuracy"
• "Flag any silent gaps longer than 1 second"
• "Check that the first 3 seconds have strong visual engagement"

Tips for Writing Rules

• Be specific. "Always use captions" is clear. "Make it good" is not helpful.
• Keep rules general. Rules apply to every conversation, so make sure they're broadly useful. For one-off instructions, just include them in your chat message.
• Don't overload. A few clear rules are better than a long list. Too many rules can conflict with each other or slow things down.

Critique Settings

The Critique Agent can review your work at different points. Choose the option that fits how you like to work:

• Inline QC — The Critique Agent reviews work as it happens during editing. You get feedback in real time, which is great for interactive, hands-on sessions.
• Task Agent — Quality review happens after the Task Agent finishes a multi-step workflow. Good for autonomous tasks where you want a final check before you review.
• Disabled — No automatic quality reviews. Choose this if you prefer to evaluate everything yourself.

YOLO Mode

YOLO Mode lets agents act autonomously by removing confirmation prompts. You can toggle it from the Customize → Agents page, or mid-conversation using the Manual / Auto switch in the Chat Settings popover (the gear icon next to the message input). When enabled:

• Plugin tool calls are auto-approved — The AI can use external plugins (MCP servers) without asking you first. Since plugins are third-party services, this means data can be sent to those services automatically.
• Library-wide scans are auto-approved — The AI can analyze all or part of your library without asking. For large libraries, this can use significant credits since each item is processed by AI.

YOLO Mode is off by default. Turn it on only when you're comfortable with the AI acting on your behalf without pausing for confirmation.

Resetting to Defaults

If your customizations aren't working out, you can always clear your custom rules and switch back to the default models. There's no risk in experimenting — you can always go back to where you started.