Understanding Agents
Learn about agents in Ax and how they serve as fundamental building blocks based on OpenAI's Swarm framework.
What is an Agent?
In Ax, an Agent is a fundamental building block based on OpenAI's Swarm framework. An Agent encompasses instructions (what the agent should do), tools (functions the agent can use), and handoff capabilities (ability to transfer control to other agents).
Instructions
Instructions define the agent's behavior and purpose. They should be:
- •Clear and specific
Well-defined objectives and tasks
- •Task-focused
Centered on specific responsibilities
- •Context-aware
Understanding of the operating environment
Tools & Handoffs
Tools
- • API calls
- • Data processing
- • External integrations
- • Utility functions
Handoffs
- • Different expertise needed
- • Task context changes
- • Specialized handling required
Example Implementation
agent = Agent(
name="Support Agent",
instructions="You are a helpful support agent. Direct technical questions to the Technical Agent.",
functions=[transfer_to_technical]
)Agent Types
1. Task-Specific Agents
- • Focus on single responsibility
- • Clear input/output expectations
- • Minimal decision-making needs
2. Coordinator Agents
- • Handle task distribution
- • Make routing decisions
- • Manage workflow transitions
3. Specialist Agents
- • Deep domain expertise
- • Complex task handling
- • Specific tool usage
Best Practices
Single Responsibility
- • Each agent should have one clear purpose
- • Avoid mixing unrelated functionalities
Clear Instructions
- • Be specific about the agent's role
- • Define clear handoff conditions
- • Specify tool usage guidelines
Effective Handoffs
- • Define clear handoff triggers
- • Ensure proper context transfer
- • Handle edge cases