What it is
Topics are the scope boundaries for an Agentforce agent — they define which categories of conversation the agent handles. Actions are the specific operations an agent can execute within a topic, like looking up an order, initiating a return, or creating a case.
Why it matters
Well-defined topics and actions are the difference between an agent that works and one that frustrates users. Topics keep the agent focused; actions give it real capability.
Key components
- Topic classification
- Action invocation
- Parameter mapping
- Fallback handling
How it connects
You configure topics and actions in Agent Builder. Actions can trigger Apex classes, Flows, Prompt Templates, or API callouts.
Good to know
Fewer topics with well-tested actions outperform many topics with thin coverage. Start with your highest-volume use case and expand from there.
Related terms
Agent Builder
Salesforce's low-code tool for creating and configuring Agentforce agents — define topics, actions, and guardrails without writing code.
Agentforce
Salesforce's AI agent platform that enables businesses to build, customize, and deploy autonomous AI agents across sales, service, marketing, and commerce.
Atlas Reasoning Engine
The AI brain inside Agentforce that plans multi-step actions, evaluates options, and decides what to do next — all grounded in your Salesforce data.