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How-to guide

What is an AI agent?

An agent is an AI that works toward a goal by planning, using tools and checking its own results. Learn what that means and what agents are not.

  • Time 8 min
  • Level Beginner
  • Steps 5
  • Updated

A chatbot answers a question. An AI agent is given a goal, then decides what to do next, uses tools, looks at the results and keeps going until the job is done or it needs help.

Step by step

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  1. 1 The four parts of an agent

    • A model that reasons and decides.
    • Instructions: its role, rules and style (the system prompt).
    • Tools: ways to act, such as reading files, running commands, searching the web or calling an app.
    • A loop: act, observe, decide again.

  2. 2 What an agent is not

    It is not magic and not always the right choice. A single, well-written prompt is cheaper and more predictable for simple tasks. Reach for an agent when the path to the answer is not known in advance.

  3. 3 Examples

    A code reviewer that reads a diff and the files around it. A research assistant that searches, reads and cites. A support triager that classifies messages and drafts replies.

  4. 4 Where skills fit

    An agent can load skills for specific jobs. The agent is the worker; skills are the how-to manuals it can open.

  5. 5 Where to go next

    Read How to create a subagent in Claude Code and Write a good agent system prompt, then browse the agents library.

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