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README.md

Get Started with Microsoft Agent Framework for Python Developers

Quick Install

We recommend two common installation paths depending on your use case.

1. Development mode

If you are exploring or developing locally, install the entire framework with all sub-packages:

pip install agent-framework --pre

This installs the core and every integration package, making sure that all features are available without additional steps. The --pre flag is required while Agent Framework is in preview. This is the simplest way to get started.

2. Selective install

If you only need specific integrations, you can install at a more granular level. This keeps dependencies lighter and focuses on what you actually plan to use. Some examples:

# Core only# includes Azure OpenAI and OpenAI support by default# also includes workflows and orchestrations
pip install agent-framework-core --pre
# Core + Azure AI integration
pip install agent-framework-azure-ai --pre
# Core + Microsoft Copilot Studio integration
pip install agent-framework-copilotstudio --pre
# Core + both Microsoft Copilot Studio and Azure AI integration
pip install agent-framework-microsoft agent-framework-azure-ai --pre

This selective approach is useful when you know which integrations you need, and it is the recommended way to set up lightweight environments.

Supported Platforms:

  • Python: 3.10+
  • OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

1. Setup API Keys

Set as environment variables, or create a .env file at your project root:

OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...
OPENAI_CHAT_MODEL_ID=...
...
AZURE_OPENAI_API_KEY=...
AZURE_OPENAI_ENDPOINT=...
AZURE_OPENAI_CHAT_DEPLOYMENT_NAME=...
...
AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT=...
AZURE_AI_MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME=...

You can also override environment variables by explicitly passing configuration parameters to the chat client constructor:

fromagent_framework.azureimportAzureOpenAIChatClientchat_client=AzureOpenAIChatClient(
api_key='',
endpoint='',
deployment_name='',
api_version='',
)

See the following setup guide for more information.

2. Create a Simple Agent

Create agents and invoke them directly:

importasynciofromagent_frameworkimportChatAgentfromagent_framework.openaiimportOpenAIChatClientasyncdefmain():
agent=ChatAgent(
chat_client=OpenAIChatClient(),
instructions=""" 1) A robot may not injure a human being... 2) A robot must obey orders given it by human beings... 3) A robot must protect its own existence... Give me the TLDR in exactly 5 words. """
)
result=awaitagent.run("Summarize the Three Laws of Robotics")
print(result)
asyncio.run(main())
# Output: Protect humans, obey, self-preserve, prioritized.

3. Directly Use Chat Clients (No Agent Required)

You can use the chat client classes directly for advanced workflows:

importasynciofromagent_frameworkimportChatMessagefromagent_framework.openaiimportOpenAIChatClientasyncdefmain():
client=OpenAIChatClient()
messages= [
ChatMessage(role="system", text="You are a helpful assistant."),
ChatMessage(role="user", text="Write a haiku about Agent Framework.")
]
response=awaitclient.get_response(messages)
print(response.messages[0].text)
""" Output: Agents work in sync, Framework threads through each task— Code sparks collaboration. """asyncio.run(main())

4. Build an Agent with Tools and Functions

Enhance your agent with custom tools and function calling:

importasynciofromtypingimportAnnotatedfromrandomimportrandintfrompydanticimportFieldfromagent_frameworkimportChatAgentfromagent_framework.openaiimportOpenAIChatClientdefget_weather(
location: Annotated[str, Field(description="The location to get the weather for.")],
) ->str:
"""Get the weather for a given location."""conditions= ["sunny", "cloudy", "rainy", "stormy"]
returnf"The weather in {location} is {conditions[randint(0, 3)]} with a high of {randint(10, 30)}°C."defget_menu_specials() ->str:
"""Get today's menu specials."""return""" Special Soup: Clam Chowder Special Salad: Cobb Salad Special Drink: Chai Tea """asyncdefmain():
agent=ChatAgent(
chat_client=OpenAIChatClient(),
instructions="You are a helpful assistant that can provide weather and restaurant information.",
tools=[get_weather, get_menu_specials]
)
response=awaitagent.run("What's the weather in Amsterdam and what are today's specials?")
print(response)
""" Output: The weather in Amsterdam is sunny with a high of 22°C. Today's specials include Clam Chowder soup, Cobb Salad, and Chai Tea as the special drink. """if__name__=="__main__":
asyncio.run(main())

You can explore additional agent samples here.

5. Multi-Agent Orchestration

Coordinate multiple agents to collaborate on complex tasks using orchestration patterns:

importasynciofromagent_frameworkimportChatAgentfromagent_framework.openaiimportOpenAIChatClientasyncdefmain():
# Create specialized agentswriter=ChatAgent(
chat_client=OpenAIChatClient(),
name="Writer",
instructions="You are a creative content writer. Generate and refine slogans based on feedback."
)
reviewer=ChatAgent(
chat_client=OpenAIChatClient(),
name="Reviewer",
instructions="You are a critical reviewer. Provide detailed feedback on proposed slogans."
)
# Sequential workflow: Writer creates, Reviewer provides feedbacktask="Create a slogan for a new electric SUV that is affordable and fun to drive."# Step 1: Writer creates initial sloganinitial_result=awaitwriter.run(task)
print(f"Writer: {initial_result}")
# Step 2: Reviewer provides feedbackfeedback_request=f"Please review this slogan: {initial_result}"feedback=awaitreviewer.run(feedback_request)
print(f"Reviewer: {feedback}")
# Step 3: Writer refines based on feedbackrefinement_request=f"Please refine this slogan based on the feedback: {initial_result}\nFeedback: {feedback}"final_result=awaitwriter.run(refinement_request)
print(f"Final Slogan: {final_result}")
# Example Output:# Writer: "Charge Forward: Affordable Adventure Awaits!"# Reviewer: "Good energy, but 'Charge Forward' is overused in EV marketing..."# Final Slogan: "Power Up Your Adventure: Premium Feel, Smart Price!"if__name__=="__main__":
asyncio.run(main())

Note: Advanced orchestration patterns like GroupChat, Sequential, and Concurrent orchestrations are coming soon.

More Examples & Samples

Agent Framework Documentation