> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.groundcover.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.groundcover.com/use-groundcover/agent-mode/configuring-settings.md).

# Configuring Settings

Workspace administrators control Agent Mode availability, organization-wide instructions, and budget settings from the Settings page.

## Accessing AI Settings

Navigate to **Settings > AI & Agents** in the groundcover UI. The page is split into three sections:

* **Management**: enable or disable Agent Mode per backend
* **Org Instructions**: set backend-wide guidance the Agent follows for everyone
* **Cost Control**: set monthly spending limits at the organization and per-user level

{% hint style="info" %}
**Admin role required.** Only users with the Admin role can view and modify AI settings. If you don't see the **AI & Agents** option in the Settings sidebar, contact your workspace administrator.
{% endhint %}

## Management

The Management section controls whether Agent Mode is available for a specific backend.

**When enabled:**

* The Agent panel appears in the sidebar
* Users can open the Agent with **Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + A**
* All AI-related UI elements are visible

**When disabled:**

* The Agent panel and all AI-related UI elements are hidden
* Keyboard shortcuts for the Agent are inactive

This setting is per backend, you can enable Agent Mode for some backends while keeping it disabled for others.

## Anthropic API key

You can bring your own Anthropic API key and configure Agent Mode to send inference requests directly to Anthropic. The provider selection and key are configured separately for each backend.

To configure an Anthropic API key:

1. Go to **Settings > AI & Agents > Management**.
2. Find the backend you want to configure and make sure **AI enabled** is turned on.
3. Expand the backend settings.
4. Under **Choose your LLM Provider**, select **Anthropic Key**.
5. Enter your Anthropic API key.
6. Select **Save**.

groundcover validates the key before activating it. A valid key takes effect without restarting the backend. If validation fails, the existing provider configuration remains active.

After the key is saved, the API key field displays a masked value. To rotate the key, expand the backend settings, select **Edit** next to the API key field, enter the replacement key, and select **Save**.

To return to the LLM provider configured for your deployment, select **Native Cloud Provider** and then select **Save**. A native provider must already be configured for the backend.

See [Requirements & Compatibility](/use-groundcover/agent-mode/requirements.md#anthropic-api-key) for deployment support and [Privacy & Security](/use-groundcover/agent-mode/privacy-and-security.md#llm-provider) for data handling and key storage details.

## Org Instructions

The Org Instructions section lets admins set guidance the Agent follows in Agent Mode for everyone in the selected backend. Use Org Instructions for broad defaults that should apply across the team, such as:

* Preferred terminology and service names
* Default response structure
* Systems or namespaces the Agent should prioritize
* Organization-wide investigation or escalation expectations

Org Instructions are included alongside each user's [Personal Instructions](/use-groundcover/agent-mode/getting-started.md#personal-instructions) and any active [Skills](/use-groundcover/agent-mode/skills.md). Keep Org Instructions broad and stable; use Organizational Skills for reusable runbooks or workflows that should activate only for specific prompts.

To update Org Instructions, edit the text and click **Save**. To remove them, clear the editor and save the empty value.

## Cost Control

The Cost Control section lets admins set monthly spending limits. See [Cost Management](/use-groundcover/agent-mode/cost-management.md) for full details on configuring organization budgets, default per-user budgets, and per-user overrides.

## Related

* [Getting Started](/use-groundcover/agent-mode/getting-started.md#personal-instructions) - Configure Personal Instructions for your own Agent conversations
* [Skills](/use-groundcover/agent-mode/skills.md) - Create personal or Organizational Skills for reusable Agent guidance
* [Cost Management](/use-groundcover/agent-mode/cost-management.md) - Set monthly spending limits at the organization and per-user level
* [Privacy & Security](/use-groundcover/agent-mode/privacy-and-security.md) - Data handling and access control details


---

# Agent Instructions
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