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# Event Messages

**Event messages are triggered when specific events occur during a chat session.** These messages are used to
configure behaviors for EVI, such as controlling how EVI starts a new conversation.

When enabling events you can optionally specify text which EVI will speak verbatim. If no text is provided, then
EVI will infer what to say based on the Chat context.

#### [API Reference](/reference/speech-to-speech-evi/configs/create-config#request.body.event_messages)

See our API reference for how to specify event messages in your EVI configuration.

## Supported events

* **On new chat**: Specifies the initial message EVI provides when a new chat is started, such as a greeting or welcome message.
* **On max duration timeout**: Specifies the message EVI provides when the chat is disconnected due to reaching the maximum chat duration,
  such as a message mentioning the time limit for the chat has been reached.
* **On inactivity timeout**: Specifies the message EVI provides when the chat is about to be disconnected due to a user inactivity timeout,
  such as a message mentioning a lack of user input for a period of time.

  Enabling an inactivity message allows developers to use this message event for “checking in” with the user if
  they are not responding to see if they are still active.

  If the user does not respond in the number of seconds specified in the
  [inactivity\_timeout](/reference/speech-to-speech-evi/configs/create-config#response.body.timeouts.inactivity)
  field, then EVI will say the message and will wait an additional 15 seconds before the Chat is ended. If the user
  responds before this grace period ends, the conversation will continue as normal.

  If the inactivity message is not enabled, then reaching the inactivity timeout will immediately end the connection.

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