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Updated Chat UI

  • Updated

In this article

Assembled is rolling out a refreshed chat agent UI. This article explains the rollout timeline, how to opt in and test before going live, and what the new theme configuration options do. If you manage a deployed chat agent, read this before August 3, 2026.

Important: Clicking Save on the chat agent page publishes your changes live to all deployed instances of that agent immediately. Test the new UI before saving if you want to avoid an unplanned customer-facing change.

What's changing?

The updated chat UI is a visual refresh of the chat agent interface. It introduces four new theme configuration options and updates the look and feel across several chat surfaces, including the homepage, the Terms of Service modal, suggested reply buttons, the closing survey, wait time and system messages, links in messages, the handoff message, the handoff information collection form, the handoff link, and internationalization. Typography is also updating as part of this release.

The underlying behavior of your chat agent is not changing. All four new configuration options default to their closest visual equivalent of the old UI, so your existing branding carries over without any required changes on your part.

When is this happening?

  • Now (opt-in period): Existing customers can preview and opt in to the new UI at any time using the Preview new chat widget toggle on each chat agent's Themes page.
  • New customers: Accounts created on or after April 24, 2026 start on the new UI by default.
  • August 3, 2026 (forced switchover): All remaining customers still on the old UI are automatically migrated to the new UI. There is no opt-out after this date.

Keep in mind: The opt-in toggle applies per chat agent. If you manage multiple agents, you'll need to enable the new UI separately on each one.

How do I test the new UI before going live?

There are two ways to preview the new UI without affecting your live deployments.

Option 1: Use the built-in preview

  1. Navigate to your chat agent's Themes page.
  2. Select the Preview new chat widget toggle to enable the new UI.
  3. Use the preview widget on the chat agent setup page, or go to the AI Agent Testing page to interact with the new UI.
  4. Do not select Save until you're ready to go live. Saving publishes the changes immediately to your deployed agent.

Option 2: Create a dedicated test agent

  1. Create a new chat agent in your Assembled account.
  2. Enable the new UI on that agent and configure it as needed.
  3. Do not add this agent's widget code to any live pages.

This approach lets you explore all the new theme settings without any risk of customer exposure.

How do I opt in to the new UI?

  1. Go to your chat agent's Themes page.
  2. Select the Preview new chat widget toggle to enable the new UI for that agent.
  3. Review and adjust your theme settings, including any of the new configuration options described below.
  4. Select Save to publish your changes live.

Important: Selecting Save immediately publishes the updated UI to all deployed instances of this chat agent. Complete your testing before saving.

What are the new theme configuration options?

The new UI adds four theme settings, all found on your chat agent's Themes page. Each defaults to the closest visual equivalent of the old UI, so you only need to change them if you want something different.

Setting Location What it does Default
Homepage gradient Themes > Homepage background Sets whether the chat homepage uses a solid background color or a gradient. Solid
Brand icon at top of chat Themes > Header > Avatar in header toggle Shows or hides your brand icon at the top of the chat window. Off
Avatar shape Themes > Agent persona Controls the shape used for agent and support member avatars in the chat. All avatars use the same shape. [FLAG: square vs. circle default — confirm with Becca before publishing]
Light / Dark accent color Themes > Theme Sets the color mode for the chat widget. This setting also affects the chat preview in the AI Agent Testing studio. Light

What happens if I don't opt in before August 3, 2026?

On August 3, 2026, Assembled will automatically migrate any remaining chat agents on the old UI to the new one. After that date, the old UI is no longer available.

Opting in before the forced switchover gives you time to review the new configuration options and test the experience before it reaches your customers. The opt-in period is open now.

Can I switch back to the old UI after opting in?

[FLAG: Rollback story needs confirmation from Becca — confirm before publishing. If rollback is possible before August 3, describe the steps. If it is not possible, state that plainly and add a Keep in mind callout.]

Questions? Contact support@assembled.com and we'll be glad to help.

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