November 10, 2028AIExplore

How to Use Cartesia for Streaming agent handoffs

Learn Cartesia streaming agent handoffs with step by step workflows, realistic examples, and verified plan notes.

Cartesia works well for streaming agent handoffs when you run it like production work: locked brief, SOURCE facts, then review before publish. Cartesia provides real-time speech and transcription models for voice agents, including Sonic TTS and Ink STT with low-latency streaming APIs. Confirm live pricing and latency claims on cartesia.ai. Start at /explore/cartesia.

This guide focuses on streaming agent handoffs in detail. Related Cartesia articles: /blog/how-to-use-cartesia-for-sonic-tts-streaming-greetings, /blog/how-to-use-cartesia-for-ink-stt-prototypes, /blog/how-to-use-cartesia-for-low-latency-voice-agents.

When this workflow is the right job

Use streaming agent handoffs when the deliverable is specifically this Cartesia job. Switch to sonic tts streaming greetings when that workflow already owns the asset.

Step by step workflow

1. Brief Streaming agent handoffs

Write what must stay true for streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia before settings or spend.

Brief: Streaming agent handoffs
Keep: verified SOURCE facts only
Avoid: invented pricing or features
Success: one reviewable output

2. Open Cartesia for Streaming agent handoffs

Use the Cartesia surface that owns streaming agent handoffs. Do not mix a neighboring workflow in the same pass.

Surface: Streaming agent handoffs
Start: pilot with one representative input
Plans: cartesia.ai

3. Pilot Streaming agent handoffs

Run a single streaming agent handoffs pilot. Score clarity, grounding, and whether the output is reviewable.

Pilot: Streaming agent handoffs
[ ] SOURCE facts match
[ ] Output reviewable
[ ] Settings logged

4. Refine Streaming agent handoffs

Change one streaming agent handoffs dimension only. Save a template from the best run.

Refine: Streaming agent handoffs
Change: one control only
Keep: SOURCE and success criteria

Practical streaming agent handoffs examples

Streaming prototype

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Streaming prototype".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Streaming prototype with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Streaming prototype
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Streaming prototype → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Streaming prototype matching requested features, ready for human edit.

PII redaction

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "PII redaction".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for PII redaction with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for PII redaction
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process PII redaction → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for PII redaction matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Subtitle SRT

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Subtitle SRT".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Subtitle SRT with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Subtitle SRT
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Subtitle SRT → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Subtitle SRT matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Interview mp3

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Interview mp3".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Interview mp3 with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Interview mp3
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Interview mp3 → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Interview mp3 matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Guardrail filter

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Guardrail filter".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Guardrail filter with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Guardrail filter
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Guardrail filter → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Guardrail filter matching requested features, ready for human edit.

API spend alert

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "API spend alert".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for API spend alert with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for API spend alert
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process API spend alert → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for API spend alert matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Key rotation

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Key rotation".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Key rotation with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Key rotation
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Key rotation → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Key rotation matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Latency pick

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Latency pick".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Latency pick with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Latency pick
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Latency pick → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Latency pick matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Word timestamps

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Word timestamps".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Word timestamps with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Word timestamps
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Word timestamps → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Word timestamps matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Custom vocab

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Custom vocab".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Custom vocab with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Custom vocab
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Custom vocab → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Custom vocab matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Noise note

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Noise note".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Noise note with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Noise note
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Noise note → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Noise note matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Chapter titles

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Chapter titles".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Chapter titles with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Chapter titles
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Chapter titles → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Chapter titles matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Action items audio

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Action items audio".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Action items audio with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Action items audio
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Action items audio → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Action items audio matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Multilingual flag

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Multilingual flag".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Multilingual flag with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Multilingual flag
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Multilingual flag → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Multilingual flag matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Webhook delivery

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Webhook delivery".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Webhook delivery with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Webhook delivery
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Webhook delivery → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Webhook delivery matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Retry policy

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Retry policy".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Retry policy with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Retry policy
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Retry policy → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Retry policy matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Content filter

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Content filter".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Content filter with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Content filter
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Content filter → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Content filter matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Short pilot clip

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Short pilot clip".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Short pilot clip with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Short pilot clip
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Short pilot clip → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Short pilot clip matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Speaker labels

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Speaker labels".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Speaker labels with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Speaker labels
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Speaker labels → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Speaker labels matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Auto chapters

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Auto chapters".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Auto chapters with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Auto chapters
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Auto chapters → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Auto chapters matching requested features, ready for human edit.

Topic summary

Scenario:
A media team runs Streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia for "Topic summary".

Objective:
Produce a reviewable transcript or speech artifact for Topic summary with required features named.

Inputs:
- Audio/file reference for Topic summary
- Feature flags (speakers/chapters/etc.)
- Language locale
- PII handling rules

Workflow:
Upload or stream → Configure Streaming agent handoffs → Process Topic summary → Review transcript → Export

Requirements:
- Stay within verified Cartesia capabilities; do not invent features.
- Confirm live plan notes on cartesia.ai before promising volume.
- Change one variable between iterations.
- Human-review before external publish, send, billing, or clinical/legal use.
- Confirm API/plan limits on the official pricing page before batch jobs.

Expected output:
A transcript/artifact for Topic summary matching requested features, ready for human edit.

How to improve streaming agent handoffs

Cut noise from streaming agent handoffs by removing extra adjectives while preserving SOURCE facts in Cartesia.

Raise quality by insisting on a single success check before debating style.

Make review easier by labeling fields that must never change.

Speed iteration by cloning the last good run and altering only one control.

Stabilize outputs by pinning settings after the pilot is approved.

Reduce rework by rejecting drafts that invent claims.

Improve handoffs by recording which control produced the best result.

Harden the workflow by testing an incomplete input before trusting defaults.

Prompting and usage guidance

Name the streaming agent handoffs job, audience, and success check before opening Cartesia.

Paste only verified facts under SOURCE so Cartesia cannot invent details.

Specify the deliverable shape up front.

Call out fixed details versus flexible style choices.

Ask Cartesia to flag unsupported claims before you accept the draft.

Limitations to respect

Check Cartesia plan gates for streaming agent handoffs on cartesia.ai before you promise timelines.

Keep drafts unpublished until a human confirms SOURCE facts.

Cartesia can be wrong. Treat streaming agent handoffs as provisional until review.

If documentation is silent on a claim, leave it out rather than guessing.

Practical tips for this workflow

Pilot once before batching streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia.

Keep a reusable template with variables for streaming agent handoffs.

Separate creative instructions from SOURCE facts.

Log settings from the best run.

Common mistakes

Skipping the pilot run before scaling volume
Inventing pricing, quotas, or features not on official pages
Mixing unrelated workflows in one session
Publishing without a human review gate

Treat streaming agent handoffs in Cartesia as a production workflow: brief, pilot, refine, then ship with review. Related reading: /blog/how-to-use-cartesia-for-sonic-tts-streaming-greetings, /blog/how-to-use-cartesia-for-ink-stt-prototypes, /blog/how-to-use-cartesia-for-low-latency-voice-agents.