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

# Custom dashboards

> Ask Operator to build dashboards that slice your data the way your team needs, and know when to use the API for live numbers instead.

The built in dashboards cover automation rate, escalations and calls. When you need to slice your data differently, for example by property, by inbox, by channel or by a custom field, you can ask [Operator](/build-your-agent/operator) to build a custom dashboard for you.

## Building a dashboard with Operator

Open **Operator** from the left navigation and describe what you want to see in plain language. Be specific about the measure, the breakdown and the time range.

| Instead of | Ask |
| - | - |
| "Show me escalations" | "Build a dashboard of escalations per listing group for the last 30 days, split by escalation type." |
| "How is the agent doing?" | "Show automation rate by inbox, week by week, for the last quarter." |
| "What are guests asking about?" | "Chart the top ten conversation topics this month and how many of each the agent resolved without a person." |

Operator builds the dashboard from your workspace data. You can then ask it to change the breakdown, add a chart or narrow the date range, the same way you would ask a colleague.

<Tip>
  Operator can only report on data your workspace holds and that you have permission to view. If a breakdown depends on a custom field or a group, make sure it is filled in consistently first, or the numbers will be patchy.
</Tip>

## Dashboards or the API?

Use dashboards for analysis you look at when you choose to, such as a weekly review, a client report or spotting a trend. Use the [Conduit API](/api-reference/introduction) when you need numbers to flow into another system automatically, or when something should react as soon as a number changes.

| You want to | Use |
| - | - |
| Review performance, explore trends, share a report | Built in or custom dashboards |
| Feed numbers into your own BI tool, spreadsheet or internal report | The API, polled on a schedule |
| Alert someone when a number crosses a threshold | The API, polled on a schedule |

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I keep getting up to date data out of Conduit?">
    Poll the API on a schedule that suits you, for example every hour or once a day. The basic insights are available directly: [Get Automation Rate](/api-reference/insights/automation-rate) returns your automation rate over a date range with a daily breakdown, and [Get Resolution Rate](/api-reference/insights/resolution-rate) returns end to end resolution. For conversation level detail, use endpoints such as [Search Conversations](/api-reference/conversations/search) and [List Escalations](/api-reference/escalations/list).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Should I build a live dashboard by polling the API constantly?">
    Usually not. For analysis, the dashboards in Conduit are simpler and already link through to the conversations behind each number. Poll the API when another system genuinely needs the data, and pick a sensible interval rather than calling it every few seconds.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will a custom dashboard match the numbers on the built in dashboards?">
    It will when it measures the same thing over the same period. If they differ, check the date range, the time zone and which inboxes or listings are included. See [Metrics](/insights/metrics) for how each built in metric is calculated.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


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