Short answer: Not with the built‑in “First message.” In the Agents Platform, First message is a text field that the agent synthesizes; there’s no documented option to attach or play a pre‑recorded audio file for it. You can omit it (set it to an empty string or override it per session) so the agent does not speak at connect. (elevenlabs.io)
If you want to play an official recorded greeting, do it before the agent session begins (outside the Agents stream). ElevenLabs explicitly allows a “verbal or pre‑recorded” notice at the start of a voice call prior to any interaction with the Agents Platform, which is the correct place to play such audio. (elevenlabs.io)
Cost note: if you connect the agent but keep the line silent, periods of silence longer than 10 seconds are billed at 5% of the usual per‑minute cost until voice activity resumes. (elevenlabs.io)
References
First message behavior/definition and examples: Quickstart. (elevenlabs.io)
Per‑conversation overrides for First message: Overrides guide and React SDK. (elevenlabs.io)
API shows first_message can be empty: Get agent. (elevenlabs.io)
Pre‑recorded audio allowed before agent interaction (disclosures): Disclosure requirements. (elevenlabs.io)
Pricing during silence: Agent setup (pricing). (elevenlabs.io)
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