feat: add default initial context variables

api/services/workflow/pipecat_engine.py

@@ -47,7 +47,6 @@ from api.services.workflow.pipecat_engine_variable_extractor import (
 from api.services.workflow.tools.knowledge_base import (
     retrieve_from_knowledge_base,
 )
-from api.services.workflow.tools.timezone import get_current_time
 from api.utils.template_renderer import render_template
 
 
@@ -149,15 +148,6 @@ class PipecatEngine:
             # Helper that encapsulates custom tool management
             self._custom_tool_manager = CustomToolManager(self)
 
-            # Add current time in EST (America/New_York) to gathered context
-            try:
-                est_time_result = get_current_time("America/New_York")
-                # The get_current_time utility returns a dict with 'datetime' field
-                # Store the ISO formatted datetime string under the key 'time'
-                self._gathered_context["time"] = est_time_result.get("datetime")
-            except Exception as e:
-                logger.error(f"Failed to fetch current EST time: {e}")
-
             await self.set_node(self.workflow.start_node_id)
 
             logger.debug(f"{self.__class__.__name__} initialized")

api/utils/template_renderer.py

@@ -2,10 +2,17 @@
 
 import json
 import re
-from typing import Any, Dict, Union
+from datetime import datetime
+from typing import Any, Dict, Optional, Union
+from zoneinfo import ZoneInfo
+
+from loguru import logger
 
 from api.services.workflow.workflow import TEMPLATE_VAR_PATTERN
 
+_CURRENT_TIME_PREFIX = "current_time"
+_CURRENT_WEEKDAY_PREFIX = "current_weekday"
+
 
 def get_nested_value(obj: Any, path: str) -> Any:
     """
@@ -85,6 +92,70 @@ def render_template(
     return _render_string(template, context)
 
 
+def _extract_timezone_from_template(template_str: str) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Extract the timezone from a ``current_time_<TZ>`` or ``current_weekday_<TZ>`` variable.
+
+    Returns the first IANA timezone found, or None.
+    """
+    pattern = (
+        r"\{\{\s*(?:"
+        + re.escape(_CURRENT_TIME_PREFIX)
+        + r"|"
+        + re.escape(_CURRENT_WEEKDAY_PREFIX)
+        + r")_([^|\s}]+)"
+    )
+    match = re.search(pattern, template_str)
+    return match.group(1).strip() if match else None
+
+
+def _resolve_builtin_variable(
+    variable_path: str, default_tz: Optional[str] = None
+) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Resolve built-in template variables that are available in all contexts.
+
+    Supported variables:
+        - ``current_time`` – current time in UTC
+        - ``current_time_<TIMEZONE>`` – current time in the given IANA timezone
+        - ``current_weekday`` – current weekday name (uses *default_tz* if set, else UTC)
+        - ``current_weekday_<TIMEZONE>`` – current weekday name in the given timezone
+
+    Args:
+        variable_path: The template variable name to resolve.
+        default_tz: Fallback timezone for ``current_weekday`` when no explicit
+            timezone suffix is provided (typically inferred from a
+            ``current_time_<TZ>`` variable in the same template).
+
+    Returns:
+        The resolved string value, or None if *variable_path* is not a
+        recognised built-in.
+    """
+    if variable_path == _CURRENT_TIME_PREFIX:
+        tz = ZoneInfo(default_tz) if default_tz else ZoneInfo("UTC")
+        return datetime.now(tz).strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S %Z")
+
+    if variable_path.startswith(_CURRENT_TIME_PREFIX + "_"):
+        timezone = variable_path[len(_CURRENT_TIME_PREFIX) + 1 :]
+        try:
+            return datetime.now(ZoneInfo(timezone)).strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S %Z")
+        except Exception:
+            logger.warning(f"Invalid timezone in template variable: {timezone}")
+            return None
+
+    if variable_path == _CURRENT_WEEKDAY_PREFIX:
+        tz = ZoneInfo(default_tz) if default_tz else ZoneInfo("UTC")
+        return datetime.now(tz).strftime("%A")
+
+    if variable_path.startswith(_CURRENT_WEEKDAY_PREFIX + "_"):
+        timezone = variable_path[len(_CURRENT_WEEKDAY_PREFIX) + 1 :]
+        try:
+            return datetime.now(ZoneInfo(timezone)).strftime("%A")
+        except Exception:
+            logger.warning(f"Invalid timezone in template variable: {timezone}")
+            return None
+
+    return None
+
+
 def _render_string(template_str: str, context: Dict[str, Any]) -> str:
     """
     Render a string template with variable substitution.
@@ -99,11 +170,20 @@ def _render_string(template_str: str, context: Dict[str, Any]) -> str:
     if not template_str:
         return template_str
 
+    # Pre-scan for a current_time_<TZ> variable so that {{current_weekday}}
+    # can inherit the same timezone instead of defaulting to UTC.
+    default_tz = _extract_timezone_from_template(template_str)
+
     def _replace(match: re.Match[str]) -> str:  # type: ignore[type-arg]
         variable_path = match.group(1).strip()
         filter_name = match.group(2).strip() if match.group(2) else None
         filter_value = match.group(3).strip() if match.group(3) else None
 
+        # Check for built-in variables first (current_time, current_weekday)
+        builtin_value = _resolve_builtin_variable(variable_path, default_tz)
+        if builtin_value is not None:
+            return builtin_value
+
         # Get value using nested path lookup
         value = get_nested_value(context, variable_path)
 

docs/core-concepts/context-and-variables.mdx

@@ -45,6 +45,27 @@ whether they'd like to continue.
 
 When the call starts, Dograh substitutes the values before sending the prompt to the LLM — so the agent speaks naturally as if it already knows the contact.
 
+### Built-in template variables
+
+Dograh provides built-in variables for current time and weekday that you can use in any prompt without setting up `initial_context`.
+
+| Variable | Description | Example output |
+|---|---|---|
+| `{{current_time}}` | Current time in UTC (or inferred timezone) | `2026-04-02 14:30:45 UTC` |
+| `{{current_time_<TIMEZONE>}}` | Current time in the specified timezone | `2026-04-02 20:00:45 IST` |
+| `{{current_weekday}}` | Current weekday name in UTC (or inferred timezone) | `Thursday` |
+| `{{current_weekday_<TIMEZONE>}}` | Current weekday name in the specified timezone | `Thursday` |
+
+Replace `<TIMEZONE>` with an [IANA timezone name](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tz_database_time_zones) such as `Asia/Kolkata`, `America/New_York`, or `Europe/London`.
+
+```
+Today is {{current_weekday}} and the current time is {{current_time_America/New_York}}.
+```
+
+<Note>
+When you use a timezone suffix on **either** `current_time` or `current_weekday`, the other variable without a suffix will automatically use the same timezone instead of UTC. For example, if your prompt contains both `{{current_time_Asia/Kolkata}}` and `{{current_weekday}}`, the weekday will also be resolved in `Asia/Kolkata`.
+</Note>
+
 ### gathered_context
 
 Data the agent collects *during* the call. You configure what to extract in the agent node's extraction settings — each variable has a name, type, and a prompt that tells the LLM what to look for.

ui/src/components/flow/nodes/AgentNode.tsx

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
 import { Switch } from "@/components/ui/switch";
 import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
-import { NODE_DOCUMENTATION_URLS } from "@/constants/documentation";
+import { CONTEXT_VARIABLES_DOC_URL, NODE_DOCUMENTATION_URLS } from "@/constants/documentation";
 
 import { NodeContent } from "./common/NodeContent";
 import { NodeEditDialog } from "./common/NodeEditDialog";
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ const AgentNodeEditForm = ({
             <div className="pt-2 space-y-2">
                 <Label>Prompt</Label>
                 <Label className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-                    Enter the prompt for the agent. This will be used to generate the agent&apos;s response. Prompt engineering&apos;s best practices apply.
+                    Enter the prompt for the agent. This will be used to generate the agent&apos;s response. Supports <a href={CONTEXT_VARIABLES_DOC_URL} target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" className="underline">template variables</a>
                 </Label>
                 <MentionTextarea
                     value={prompt}

ui/src/components/flow/nodes/EndCall.tsx

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
 import { Switch } from "@/components/ui/switch";
 import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
-import { NODE_DOCUMENTATION_URLS } from "@/constants/documentation";
+import { CONTEXT_VARIABLES_DOC_URL, NODE_DOCUMENTATION_URLS } from "@/constants/documentation";
 
 import { NodeContent } from "./common/NodeContent";
 import { NodeEditDialog } from "./common/NodeEditDialog";
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ const EndCallEditForm = ({
 
             <Label>Prompt</Label>
             <Label className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-                Enter the prompt for the agent. This will be used to generate the agent&apos;s response. Prompt engineering&apos;s best practices apply.
+                Enter the prompt for the agent. This will be used to generate the agent&apos;s response. Supports <a href={CONTEXT_VARIABLES_DOC_URL} target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" className="underline">template variables</a>
             </Label>
             <MentionTextarea
                 value={prompt}

ui/src/components/flow/nodes/GlobalNode.tsx

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import { FlowNodeData } from "@/components/flow/types";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
-import { NODE_DOCUMENTATION_URLS } from "@/constants/documentation";
+import { CONTEXT_VARIABLES_DOC_URL, NODE_DOCUMENTATION_URLS } from "@/constants/documentation";
 
 import { NodeContent } from "./common/NodeContent";
 import { NodeEditDialog } from "./common/NodeEditDialog";
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ const GlobalNodeEditForm = ({
 
             <Label>Prompt</Label>
             <Label className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-                This is the global prompt. This will be added to the system prompt of all the agents.
+                This is the global prompt. This will be added to the system prompt of all the agents. Supports <a href={CONTEXT_VARIABLES_DOC_URL} target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" className="underline">template variables</a>
             </Label>
             <MentionTextarea
                 value={prompt}

ui/src/components/flow/nodes/StartCall.tsx

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
 import { Switch } from "@/components/ui/switch";
 import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
-import { NODE_DOCUMENTATION_URLS } from "@/constants/documentation";
+import { CONTEXT_VARIABLES_DOC_URL, NODE_DOCUMENTATION_URLS } from "@/constants/documentation";
 
 import { NodeContent } from "./common/NodeContent";
 import { NodeEditDialog } from "./common/NodeEditDialog";
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ const StartCallEditForm = ({
 
             <Label>Prompt</Label>
             <Label className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-                Enter the prompt for the agent. This will be used to generate the agent&apos;s response. Prompt engineering&apos;s best practices apply.
+                Enter the prompt for the agent. This will be used to generate the agent&apos;s response. Supports <a href={CONTEXT_VARIABLES_DOC_URL} target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" className="underline">template variables</a>
             </Label>
             <MentionTextarea
                 value={prompt}

ui/src/constants/documentation.ts

@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ export const NODE_DOCUMENTATION_URLS: Record<string, string> = {
     qaAnalysis: `${DOCS_BASE}/getting-started`,
 };
 
+export const CONTEXT_VARIABLES_DOC_URL = `${DOCS_BASE}/core-concepts/context-and-variables`;
+
 export const TOOL_DOCUMENTATION_URLS: Record<string, string> = {
     http_api: `${DOCS_BASE}/voice-agent/tools/http-api`,
     end_call: `${DOCS_BASE}/voice-agent/tools/end-call`,