Docs: Guide for building a custom installer with a custom agent

[kovtcharov-amd]

Summary

Create a user guide documenting how to build a custom GAIA installer that ships with a pre-configured custom agent. This enables OEMs, enterprises, and power users to distribute turnkey GAIA packages tailored to their use case.

Scope

Write a guide in docs/guides/ (or docs/playbooks/) covering:

1. Building a custom agent

• Creating an agent by extending the base Agent class (src/gaia/agents/base/agent.py)
• Registering tools with the @tool decorator
• Adding MCP support via MCPAgent mixin
• Configuring the agent's system prompt, default model, and tools

2. Packaging the agent into GAIA

• Adding the agent to the agent registry
• Wiring it into the CLI (src/gaia/cli.py)
• Setting it as the default agent in the installer config

3. Building the installer

• Customizing the NSIS installer (installer/nsis/installer.nsh)
• Branding options (app name, icon, splash screen)
• Bundling specific models and Lemonade version
• CI/CD pipeline for building the installer artifact

4. Distribution

• Signing the installer
• Update channels
• Model pre-download vs. first-run download trade-offs

Audience

• OEM partners building vertical AI solutions on AMD hardware
• Enterprise teams deploying domain-specific agents internally
• Community contributors building and sharing custom agents

Related issues

• Installer: Bundle Lemonade Server into GAIA installer #774 — Bundle Lemonade MSI into GAIA installer
• Installer: Integrate lemond binary and model management UI #775 — Integrate lemond + model management UI
• Pre-configured distribution package #711 — Pre-configured distribution package
• Installer: Silent and Unattended Install Mode #614 — Installer: Silent and Unattended Install Mode