Agents
Agents are autonomous entities that determine HOW tasks are accomplished. While tasks define what needs to be done, agents are responsible for interpreting instructions, making decisions, and executing the necessary actions to achieve objectives.
Core Principles
Autonomy and Decision Making
Agents operate with a degree of autonomy, making decisions based on:
- Their defined instructions and expertise
- Available tools and capabilities
- Current context and state
- Task objectives and constraints
Specialization and Expertise
Each agent can be specialized for particular domains or functions:
- Domain-specific knowledge embedded in instructions
- Tailored tool sets for specific capabilities
- Focused scope of operation
- Optimized for particular types of tasks
State and Context Management
Agents maintain their own state and context throughout their operation:
- Tracking conversation history
- Managing memory of past actions
- Maintaining awareness of current objectives
- Understanding their role and limitations
Tool Utilization
Agents effectively use their assigned tools:
- Understanding tool capabilities and constraints
- Selecting appropriate tools for tasks
- Combining tools to achieve objectives
- Managing tool dependencies and interactions
Agent Architecture
The agent architecture follows key principles:
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Clear Instructions: Agents are guided by explicit instructions that define their behavior and expertise
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Tool Integration: Agents have access to specific tools that define their capabilities
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Expert Knowledge: Agents maintain domain expertise relevant to their purpose
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Interaction Model: Agents follow defined patterns for:
- Task interpretation
- Decision making
- Tool selection
- Result generation
Design Principles
When designing agents, consider:
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Single Responsibility: Each agent should have a clear, focused purpose
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Clear Boundaries: Define explicit scope and limitations
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Predictable Behavior: Ensure consistent decision-making patterns
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Appropriate Autonomy: Balance flexibility with control
Understanding Agent Behavior
Agents operate in a loop of:
- Receiving task objectives and context
- Interpreting requirements
- Planning necessary actions
- Executing using available tools
- Evaluating results and adjusting
This loop continues until the task objectives are met or other stopping conditions are reached.