Agent
A model operating through a harness with tools, instructions, and an ongoing task loop.
Illustrative conversation
- Why did it run the tests after editing only one file?
- Because the agent controls the workflow, it used another tool step to verify the change before stopping.
Definition
An agent is a system that uses a model to direct a multi-step workflow on a user's behalf. It can choose tools, inspect their results, correct course, and keep working until it reaches a goal or a stopping condition. Instructions, guardrails, and the harness define what it is allowed to do; the model alone is not the agent.
Reviewed