# Source: https://docs.hypermode.com/agents/30-days-of-agents/day-1.md

# Day 1: Introduction to Sidekick - Your AI Agent Platform

> Get familiar with Sidekick's interface and capabilities. Learn to use web search, LinkedIn search, and configure your agent for optimal agent interaction.

<Card title="Day 1 challenge" icon="rocket">
  **Goal**: explore Sidekick's core capabilities and configure your agent

  **Theme**: foundation week - getting started with agents

  **Time investment**: \~10 minutes
</Card>

Welcome to your first day with Hypermode Agents! Today you'll get familiar with
**Sidekick**, your AI-powered agent platform that goes far beyond simple chat.
You'll explore its search capabilities, learn to configure your agent, and
understand what makes agents different from traditional AI assistants.

Sidekick isn't just another chatbot—it's an intelligent agent that can search
the web, research people and companies, and integrate with your tools to take
real actions.

## What you'll accomplish today

* Explore Sidekick's interface and understand agent vs. chat differences
* Test web search capabilities with real-time information
* Try LinkedIn and professional research features
* Configure your agent settings for optimal performance
* Experience your first agent interaction

<Warning>
  This is **not** just another AI chat interface. Sidekick is designed to act on
  your behalf, search for current information, and integrate with real tools.
  You'll see the difference immediately.
</Warning>

## Step 1: explore the Sidekick interface

When you first open Sidekick, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the
interface. Notice the key elements that make this different from standard AI
chat:

**Key interface elements:**

* **Chat area**: Where you interact with Sidekick naturally
* **Sidebar connections**: Available integrations and tools
* **Model indicator**: Shows you're using GPT-4.1 (available exclusively for
  Sidekick)
* **Search indicators**: Visual cues when Sidekick is searching or taking
  actions

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-interface-tour.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=149cc18ef66292236673f901fdfa8106" alt="Sidekick Interface Tour - Placeholder" width="3456" height="1988" data-path="images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-interface-tour.png" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-interface-tour.png?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=c3fabc0a931f8f94c11db661a70e57c3 280w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-interface-tour.png?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=bba451fe60160e9a68c72f19dfdc409b 560w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-interface-tour.png?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=c93333550968567ac3f3015deb47a37f 840w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-interface-tour.png?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=ac16221c1993aa9632e0aee16661ef8f 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-interface-tour.png?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=a30dba0f0e81efcbd8f51c0455cde1d5 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-interface-tour.png?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=93266593b27b224a8703de7a217f364c 2500w" data-optimize="true" data-opv="2" />

**Start with a simple greeting:**

```text
Hello Sidekick! I'm starting the 30 Days of Agents program.
Can you tell me what makes you different from other AI assistants?
```

Notice how Sidekick explains its capabilities and agent-like features.

<Tip>
  **Agent learning moment** Sidekick can take real actions, not just provide
  suggestions. This fundamental difference shapes how you interact with it.
</Tip>

## Step 2: test web search capabilities

One of Sidekick's core strengths is real-time web search. Let's test this with
current information:

**Try this search request:**

```text
Can you search for the latest news about AI developments this week?
I'm particularly interested in any major announcements or breakthroughs.
```

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-web-search.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=c57f222e7b281f2324b15b11f7c4da8e" alt="Web Search Demo - Placeholder" width="2776" height="1978" data-path="images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-web-search.png" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-web-search.png?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=1ac7a1243b46429bce54ce04b259b54b 280w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-web-search.png?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=1e3491def9c686a00acf8114933db1f5 560w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-web-search.png?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=61091eedcb1749154997896edc6beae9 840w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-web-search.png?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=4c52f6d41adc597788051b983dd9b102 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-web-search.png?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=f37f23fce9521ff6f78d8a7dafa95192 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-web-search.png?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=a151819f2816c154ceb25848d0609920 2500w" data-optimize="true" data-opv="2" />

Watch how Sidekick:

* Automatically searches current web sources
* Synthesizes information from multiple results
* Provides recent, relevant findings
* Cites sources for verification

**Try another search:**

```text
What are the current stock market trends today?
Focus on technology companies and any market-moving news.
```

Notice how Sidekick retrieves real-time information and presents it in a
structured, actionable format.

## Step 3: explore LinkedIn and professional research

Sidekick excels at professional research. Let's test its ability to find and
analyze professional information:

**Try this LinkedIn-style research:**

```text
Can you research Reid Hoffman on LinkedIn, the founder of LinkedIn?
I'd like to know about his current activities, recent posts or articles, and any speaking engagements or interviews.
```

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-linkedin-research.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=e78c437364359ba9f140db2bb002fa46" alt="LinkedIn Research Demo - Placeholder" width="2776" height="1978" data-path="images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-linkedin-research.png" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-linkedin-research.png?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=95506a00294da3eac8b5795d57b29cd6 280w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-linkedin-research.png?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=78eb42cecf408cc5bf294b89d55f453b 560w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-linkedin-research.png?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=589d24c00d87d850b9023b1522036031 840w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-linkedin-research.png?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=9e7989c9e8cd7c2dbbf35628d31cf1cb 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-linkedin-research.png?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=0d907a3844bfa5614879cd9d41424730 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-linkedin-research.png?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=a28a4f6827476b96fd751d9298f76bf5 2500w" data-optimize="true" data-opv="2" />

Sidekick can:

* Search for current professional information
* Find recent articles, interviews, or posts
* Provide context about current business activities
* Organize information for professional networking purposes

**Try company research:**

```text
I'm interested in learning about Anthropic's recent developments.
Can you research their latest product announcements, funding news, and key executives?
```

<Tip>
  **Pro insight** Sidekick's research goes beyond basic Google searches. It
  synthesizes professional context that's actually useful for business
  relationships and decision-making.
</Tip>

## Step 4: configure your agent settings

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-agent-config.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=eda6ecda77eee432d703f8b27ff40409" alt="Agent Configuration - Placeholder" width="3358" height="1978" data-path="images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-agent-config.png" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-agent-config.png?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=4241a0c5eafa1da656e0d02483dfe051 280w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-agent-config.png?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=24ca7715f5ea8f1aed4bc6a491189252 560w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-agent-config.png?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=08537188f8a33dd63f165fc198a99e44 840w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-agent-config.png?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=b2d23a353550a44bfbf57ac2fce07e7d 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-agent-config.png?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=211085e7bb099b4e9dec2a3f95c2dd3f 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/hypermode/hnPwKRjst4guczp3/images/agents/30-days-of-agents/day1-agent-config.png?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=hnPwKRjst4guczp3&q=85&s=1352823646b2d973f2f58901fbc84533 2500w" data-optimize="true" data-opv="2" />

### Model selection

Sidekick uses GPT-4.1 as its core model, providing you with cutting-edge AI
capabilities specifically optimized for agent interactions. For information
about all available models across the Hypermode platform, visit our
[model documentation](https://docs.hypermode.com/model-router#available-models).

### Sidebar configuration

Explore the **connections panel** in your sidebar:

* Review available integrations
* Note which connections are ready to use
* Identify which tools you might want to connect later

## What just happened?

In just 10 minutes, you've discovered what makes Sidekick different:

**Real-time intelligence** - Sidekick searches current information, not just
pre-trained knowledge

**Professional research capabilities** - Can research people, companies, and
industry trends with business context

**Optimized AI model** - Uses GPT-4.1 specifically configured for agent
interactions and real-world tasks

**Agent behavior** - Takes actions and provides solutions, not just answers

**Integration ready** - Prepared to connect with your tools and workflows

## The power of agent interaction

Unlike traditional AI chat interfaces, Sidekick is designed for ongoing
collaboration. It learns your preferences, takes real actions, and provides
current information. This foundation enables everything you'll learn in the
remaining 29 days.

<Card title="Tomorrow - Day 2" icon="arrow-right" href="/agents/30-days-of-agents/day-2">
  Get Sidekick to work preparing for a real meeting. Research contacts, connect
  your calendar, and experience true agent productivity.
</Card>

## Pro tip for today

Before tomorrow's session, try this experiment:

```text
Based on our interactions today, what do you think I should focus on learning about agents?
What seems most relevant to my work style and interests?
```

This helps Sidekick begin personalizing its approach to your specific needs and
sets up tomorrow's more advanced interactions.

***

**Time to complete**: \~10 minutes

**Skills learned**: agent interface navigation, web search capabilities,
professional research, agent configuration, understanding agent vs. chat
differences

**Next** day 2 - Research contacts and connect your productivity tools

<Tip>
  **Remember** you're not just learning a new tool—you're developing a new way
  to work. Sidekick adapts to your style and becomes more helpful with each
  interaction.
</Tip>