Contexts

Dialogflow contexts are similar to natural language context. If a person says to you "they are orange", you need context in order to understand what "they" is referring to. Similarly, for Dialogflow to handle an end-user expression like that, it needs to be provided with context in order to correctly match an intent.

Using contexts, you can control the flow of a conversation. You can configure contexts for an intent by setting input and output contexts, which are identified by string names. When an intent is matched, any configured output contexts for that intent become active. While any contexts are active, Dialogflow is more likely to match intents that are configured with input contexts that correspond to the currently active contexts.

The following diagram shows an example that uses context for a banking agent.

1. The end-user asks for information about their checking account.
2. Dialogflow matches this end-user expression to the CheckingInfo intent. This intent has a checking output context, so that context becomes active.
3. The agent asks the end-user for the type of information they want about their checking account.
4. The end-user responds with "my balance".
5. Dialogflow matches this end-user expression to the CheckingBalance intent. This intent has a checking input context, which needs to be active to match this intent. A similar SavingsBalance intent may also exist for matching the same end-user expression when a savings context is active.
6. After your system performs the necessary database queries, the agent responds with the checking account balance.