# Start node

The **Start** node is essential for the functionality of every agent and is automatically placed on the building canvas prior to creating the conversational flow. 

This node indicates the beginning of the flow and has to be connected to the following nodes in order to initialize the flow. If not connected, the agent cannot be reached by the user.

<figure><img src="https://3877181490-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-L_81A0PNZfdawu_TPAO%2Fuploads%2FPMr0AseenVo5GqXdyAWG%2FScreenshot%202022-11-29%20at%202.51.16%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=11324a43-e8fc-41b3-aacd-074f6dd38f0b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://studio.docs.ai.vonage.com/whatsapp/nodes/start-node.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.