> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ascn.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How the agent works

> Three layers of ASCN Agent: Brain, Tasks, Channels.

Every ASCN Agent is three layers. Understanding them means understanding how to configure an agent for any task.

In the side menu you see three key sections: **Brain** (①), **Channels** (②) and **Tasks** (③) — each owns its layer.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ascn-b377dab5/gJOzWPSTEzSbhz3B/images/en/05-architecture-sidebar.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gJOzWPSTEzSbhz3B&q=85&s=1a6d267e8fde61b17db77a03232513b6" alt="Agent structure in the side menu" width="558" height="668" data-path="images/en/05-architecture-sidebar.png" />

***

## Brain — the control center

**Brain** defines the agent's personality, knowledge and abilities.

Here you configure:

* **Integrations** — which services the agent can access: Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Slack, GitHub
* **Skills** — reusable behaviour scripts for typical tasks
* **Knowledge** — who the agent is, how it talks, which files and documents it uses
* **Memory** — what the agent remembers about you between sessions

<Info>
  The Brain is a one-time setup. Once you've connected integrations and filled in knowledge, the agent is ready to work without further instructions.
</Info>

***

## Tasks — automations

**Tasks** are what the agent does on its own, without you.

Two kinds:

| Type          | Example                                          |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Scheduled** | Every morning at 8:00 — summary of unread email  |
| **Triggered** | New email arrives → agent prepares a draft reply |

Tasks are created in chat — just describe what to do and when.

***

## Channels — where you talk

**Channels** are where you talk to the agent and where it replies.

Available channels:

* **ASCN chat** — web interface of the platform
* **Telegram** — a bot you create via BotFather
* **Slack** — your team workspace

<Tip>
  Connect Telegram so you can control the agent and get notifications right in the messenger — without opening a browser.
</Tip>

***

## How the layers work together

**Example: a morning email agent**

1. **Brain** — connected to Gmail and Google Calendar, knows your work style
2. **Tasks** — every day at 8:00 the agent reads your inbox and builds a summary
3. **Channels** — the summary comes to you in Telegram

You wake up and already know what arrived overnight.

***

<Card title="Integrations" icon="plug" href="/en/brain/connectors">
  Start with the Brain — connect your first integration.
</Card>