# Standard and custom topics and actions

*Agentforce Specialist Study Guide · AI Agents · Last updated October 15, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/agentforce-specialist/ai-agents/standard-and-custom-topics-and-actions*

When to use a standard or custom subagent (formerly topic) and a standard or custom agent action, which reference types a custom action can call, how action instructions and input and output settings shape behaviour, how Agentforce Assets copies work, and how versions and activation govern editing a live agent.

- Certification: Salesforce Agentforce Specialist
- Exam section: AI Agents
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/agentforce-specialist

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, select and configure standard topics, custom topics, standard Agent actions, and custom Agent actions.

## What the exam expects

- Choose a standard subagent or action before building a custom one.
- Pick the reference action type (flow, Apex, prompt template, external service, MuleSoft API) for a custom action from the requirement.
- Configure action instructions and input and output settings: Collect data from user, Require input, Show in conversation, Require user confirmation.
- Explain the Agentforce Assets copy model and keep subagents focused.
- Change a live agent safely with versions and activation.
- Key terms: **subagent** (formerly topic: a job the agent can do, with instructions and actions); **standard asset** (a Salesforce-provided subagent or action in the asset library); **custom action** (an agent action you build on a reference action); **reference action** (the flow, Apex, prompt template or API the action calls); **agent version** (an editable draft until activated).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard actions | Included by default; some require an additional licence or permission | [Standard Agent Action Reference](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_actions_ref_pointer.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Custom action reference types | Invocable and REST Apex, external services, autolaunched flows, MuleSoft APIs, prompt templates | [Create a Custom Action](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_actions_custom.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Actions per subagent | No more than 15 recommended for best performance | [Add an Action in the Legacy Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_actions_add.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Copy model | Creating a version copies assets so every agent and agent version has its own subagents, actions and variables | [Create a New Version](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_versions_draft.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Asset library edits | Not synced to copies in agents; re-add the updated asset | [Create a Custom Subagent](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_topics_add_custom.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Show in conversation off for all outputs | The LLM summarizes outputs in natural language | [Create a Custom Action](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_actions_custom.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Activated version | Can't be changed, even after deactivation; create a new version | [Create a New Version](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_versions_draft.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Active limits | One active version per agent; up to 100 concurrently active agents | [Activate or Deactivate Your Agent](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_setup_activate_deactivate.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why should an action's copied description be reviewed and revised?
- When should a custom action reference a prompt template rather than a flow?
- When does an asset library update reach an agent that already uses the action?

## Sources

- [Create a Custom Action](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_actions_custom.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Create a Custom Agent Action in the Legacy Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=ai.copilot_actions_custom.htm&type=5)
- [Add an Action to a Subagent in the Legacy Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_actions_add.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Agentforce Standard Asset Reference](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_ref.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Standard Agent Action Reference](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_actions_ref_pointer.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Add an Action to a Subagent from the Asset Library](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_actions_add_asset_library.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Create a Custom Subagent](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_topics_add_custom.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Add a Subagent to Your Agent from the Asset Library](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_topics_add_asset.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Design the Subagents and Actions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_plan_action_design.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Create a New Version of an Agent](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_versions_draft.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Activate or Deactivate Your Agent](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_setup_activate_deactivate.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Explore Agentforce Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.agent_builder_tour.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Learn About New Agentforce Builder with Agent Script](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=005232662&language=en_US&type=1)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 13 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Agentforce Specialist pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams