> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.trymaitai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sentinel Workflow

> How to create a Sentinel for an Intent Group and validate it against real traffic

This recipe is for when you want to enforce a quality bar (or catch a specific failure mode) across an Intent Group.

## 1) Start from an Intent Group

In the Portal:

1. Open **Intent Groups**.
2. Select the Intent Group you care about.
3. Go to the **Sentinels** tab.

## 2) Generate a new Sentinel

Click **New Sentinel**, then fill out:

* **Expectation**: what must be true for “good” output
* **Condition**: when this expectation applies

If the generator asks follow-up questions, answer them and submit again until a Sentinel is created.

See: [Generating Sentinels](/observe/sentinels/generation)

## 3) Configure it like a reviewer

On the Sentinel edit page, tune:

* **Severity**
* **Evaluation directive** + **Examples**
* Optional sections like **Qualification** and **Correction**
* **Include options** (system prompt, context, input, tool calls, JSON schema)

See: [Sentinel Configuration](/observe/sentinels/configuration)

## 4) Iterate with regeneration (when the sentinel is “directionally wrong”)

If a section needs a bigger rewrite, use the Portal’s regeneration flow and provide feedback (and expectation/condition if prompted), then re-review and **Update Sentinel**.

See: [Regenerating Sentinels](/observe/sentinels/regeneration)

## 5) Validate on real traffic

Use `Observe > Sentinels` to validate quickly:

* Open the Sentinel to see the requests it has flagged
* Filter to `FAULT` results
* Open failing requests to see what triggered the Sentinel

See: [Monitoring with Sentinels](/observe/sentinels/monitoring)

## 6) Monitor over time

Once the Sentinel is live:

* Use the Intent Group’s **Fault Rate** chart to spot regressions.
* Configure notification preferences (if enabled in your Portal) under `Settings > Notifications`.

See: [Monitoring with Sentinels](/observe/sentinels/monitoring)