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

# Pipeline Overview

> Choose how your agent listens, thinks, and speaks, and see its cost and latency as you build.

The **Pipeline** tab configures the models and real-time audio behavior behind your agent.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://cdn.zeroruntime.ai/zrt/docs-resource/agent-builder/pipeline-overview.png" alt="Pipeline tab showing estimated cost and latency bars, the language selector, Tools, Knowledge Base, and Phone Number buttons, and the LLM and TTS sections" />
</Frame>

## Estimated cost and latency

The two bars at the top update as you change models:

* **Estimated Cost**: the total cost per minute across STT, LLM, and TTS.
* **Estimated Latency**: the expected processing time range across STT, LLM, and TTS.

Hover over a segment to see how much each model contributes.

## Pipeline types

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Cascading (Text LLM)" icon="layer-group">
    **STT → LLM → TTS.** You pick each model separately. This gives you the most control over voices, languages, and turn-taking.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Realtime (Audio LLM)" icon="bolt">
    A single audio model listens and speaks directly. The STT, TTS, turn detection, interruption, and VAD sections are hidden. Noise cancellation still applies.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

The pipeline type follows the primary LLM you choose. See [Models](/agent-builder/pipeline/models).

## Per-language pipelines

The pipeline is configured **per language**. Use the language selector to switch between them.

* Languages that support default models are preselected.
* For other languages, select the models manually.

[VAD and interruption handling](/agent-builder/pipeline/turn-detection-and-interruptions) apply to every language.

## What's on this tab

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Models" icon="microchip" href="/agent-builder/pipeline/models">
    LLM, TTS, and STT models, voices, and fallbacks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Turn Detection & Interruptions" icon="comments" href="/agent-builder/pipeline/turn-detection-and-interruptions">
    When the agent replies, when callers can interrupt, and VAD.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Noise Cancellation & Background Audio" icon="volume-high" href="/agent-builder/pipeline/noise-cancellation-and-background-audio">
    Clean up caller audio, and add thinking and ambient sounds.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Wake-up Message" icon="bell" href="/agent-builder/pipeline/wake-up-message">
    Check in when the caller goes quiet.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Call End Configuration" icon="phone-slash" href="/agent-builder/pipeline/call-end-configuration">
    Let the agent hang up, and send a summary of each call.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tools" icon="wrench" href="/agent-builder/tools">
    Call external HTTP APIs during the conversation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Knowledge Base" icon="book" href="/agent-builder/knowledge-base">
    Answer from your own documents and websites.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Telephony Integration" icon="phone" href="/agent-builder/telephony/integration">
    Connect phone numbers with a routing rule.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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