Update GHL custom fields from AI conversations

Configure your AI agent to update GoHighLevel custom fields automatically during calls and chats using the update_user_details tool.

Your AI agent can update GoHighLevel custom fields in real-time during conversations. When the agent collects information — budget, timeline, service interest, company size, or any other data point — it writes the value directly to the contact’s custom field in GHL. No manual data entry, no post-call workflows needed. The data is available in your CRM the moment the conversation happens.

Set up custom field updates

1. Create custom fields in GHL

   In your GoHighLevel account, go to Settings → Custom Fields and create the fields you want the AI to populate. Note the exact field names — the AI agent needs to reference them precisely.

   Common fields for AI agents:

   • Budget range
   • Service interest
   • Timeline
   • Company size
   • Lead qualification score
   • Preferred contact method
2. Open your agent in the Agent Builder

   In Centerfy, go to AI Agents and select the agent you want to configure.

3. Enable the update_user_details tool

   Go to the Tools & Abilities tab and enable update_user_details. This tool allows the AI to write to contact custom fields during conversations.

4. Configure the fields

   In the tool configuration, map the fields the AI should update. Specify:

   • Field name — the exact GHL custom field name
   • Field type — text, number, dropdown, date, etc.
   • When to update — describe the conditions in your system prompt
5. Update your system prompt

   Add instructions telling the AI when and how to update each field. Be specific about what information maps to which field. For example:

   “When the caller mentions their budget, update the ‘Budget Range’ custom field with their answer. When they state what service they’re interested in, update the ‘Service Interest’ field. Always confirm the information with the caller before saving it.”

6. Save and test

   Save the agent and run a test conversation. Mention specific data points (e.g., “My budget is around $5,000”) and verify that the corresponding custom field is updated in the contact’s GHL record.

How it works

During a conversation, the AI:

1. Asks qualifying questions or naturally collects information based on the caller’s responses
2. Identifies which custom field the information belongs to
3. Calls the update_user_details tool with the field name and value
4. The field is updated immediately in the GHL contact record
5. The updated data is available in pipelines, workflows, reports, and automations instantly

Best practices

• Use descriptive field names — budget_range is better than field_1. The AI references these names, and clear names reduce errors.
• Define expected formats — in your system prompt, specify formats (e.g., “Store budget as a number without currency symbols” or “Store dates as YYYY-MM-DD”).
• Limit fields per conversation — don’t try to fill 20 fields in one call. Focus on the 3-5 most important data points for lead qualification.
• Use dropdown fields where possible — constrained fields (dropdown, radio) are more reliable than free text because the AI selects from predefined options.

Use updated fields in workflows

Once the AI updates a custom field, you can trigger workflows based on the new value:

• Pipeline automation — move a contact to a different pipeline stage when their budget field is populated
• Tagging — automatically apply tags based on service interest
• Notifications — alert your sales team when a high-value lead is identified
• Follow-up sequences — trigger different follow-up sequences based on the qualification data collected