This guide walks you through installing and configuring the QuillCRM AI Assistant addon.
Prerequisites
Before installing the AI Assistant, ensure you have:
- QuillCRM Pro 1.8.0+ installed and active.
- An AI provider configured in QuillCRM → Settings → AI. The assistant reuses the same provider and API key configured for the AI Email Builder. See AI Settings for setup instructions.
Step 1: Install the Plugin
- Download the QuillCRM AI Assistant addon plugin.
- In WordPress, go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
- Upload the zip file and click Install Now.
- Click Activate.
The addon will automatically create its database table (quillcrm_ai_conversations) on first activation. If QuillCRM Pro is not active, you’ll see an admin notice and the addon will not load.
Step 2: Configure Access Control
Navigate to QuillCRM → Settings → AI. Once the addon is active, an AI Assistant section appears below the AI provider settings.
Enable / Disable
Use the Enable AI Assistant toggle to show or hide the assistant panel for eligible users. When disabled, the floating button and keyboard shortcut are hidden for all users.
Allowed Roles
Administrators always have access to the AI Assistant. Use the checkboxes to grant access to additional CRM roles:
- CRM Manager — Full CRM access. Can see all contacts, deals, campaigns, and automations through the AI.
- Sales Manager — Can see all contacts and deals. Can view campaigns and automations through the AI.
- Sales Rep — Can only see their own deals and tasks through the AI. Cannot access campaigns or automations.
Step 3: Configure Data Access
The Data Access section controls which data types the AI Assistant can read. Each toggle controls a category of CRM data:
| Toggle | What It Controls |
|---|---|
| CRM Data | Contacts, deals, pipelines, tags, lists, tasks. Required for most assistant features. |
| Conversation Data | Email history, email threads, and email drafting. Controls the email-related tools. |
| Campaign Data | Email campaigns, campaign analytics. Only accessible to CRM Managers and above. |
| Activity Data | Activity logs, notes, and timeline entries. Controls activity context in prompts. |
Disabling a toggle prevents the AI from reading that data category, even if the user has the necessary role permissions. This gives administrators fine-grained control over what data the AI can access.
Step 4: Configure Business Context
The Business Context section lets you provide information about your business to improve AI responses. This context is included in every AI prompt.
Include Business Profile
When enabled, the assistant includes your site name and business settings (from Settings → Business) in its context.
Optional Fields
- Industry — Your business industry (e.g., “SaaS”, “E-commerce”, “Real Estate”). Helps the AI use industry-appropriate terminology.
- Brand Voice — Describe your communication style (e.g., “Professional but friendly, concise, avoid jargon”). Applied when the AI drafts emails or messages.
- Product / Service Description — A brief description of what you sell or offer. Helps the AI reference your products in responses.
- Ideal Customer Profile — Describe your target audience. Helps the AI provide relevant sales and marketing suggestions.
- Custom Instructions — Any additional rules for the AI (e.g., “Always mention our 30-day free trial”, “Never suggest discounts below 10%”).
Verification
After setup, verify the assistant is working:
- Go to any QuillCRM page (e.g., Dashboard).
- Click the sparkle button (✨) in the bottom-right corner, or press
Ctrl+K/Cmd+K. - The AI Assistant panel should slide in from the right.
- Type a test message like “How many contacts do I have?” and verify you get a response.