# AI Agents for Beginners - A Course ## A course teaching everything you need to know to start building AI Agents [GitHub license](https://github.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/blob/master/LICENSE?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [GitHub contributors](https://GitHub.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/graphs/contributors/?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [GitHub issues](https://GitHub.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/issues/?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [GitHub pull-requests](https://GitHub.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/pulls/?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [PRs Welcome](http://makeapullrequest.com?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) ### 🌐 Multi-Language Support #### Translations maintained with [Co-op Translator](https://github.com/Azure/co-op-translator) [Arabic](./translations/ar/README.md) | [Bengali](./translations/bn/README.md) | [Bulgarian](./translations/bg/README.md) | [Burmese (Myanmar)](./translations/my/README.md) | [Chinese (Simplified)](./translations/zh-CN/README.md) | [Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong)](./translations/zh-HK/README.md) | [Chinese (Traditional, Macau)](./translations/zh-MO/README.md) | [Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)](./translations/zh-TW/README.md) | [Croatian](./translations/hr/README.md) | [Czech](./translations/cs/README.md) | [Danish](./translations/da/README.md) | [Dutch](./translations/nl/README.md) | [Estonian](./translations/et/README.md) | [Finnish](./translations/fi/README.md) | [French](./translations/fr/README.md) | [German](./translations/de/README.md) | [Greek](./translations/el/README.md) | [Hebrew](./translations/he/README.md) | [Hindi](./translations/hi/README.md) | [Hungarian](./translations/hu/README.md) | [Indonesian](./translations/id/README.md) | [Italian](./translations/it/README.md) | [Japanese](./translations/ja/README.md) | [Kannada](./translations/kn/README.md) | [Khmer](./translations/km/README.md) | [Korean](./translations/ko/README.md) | [Lithuanian](./translations/lt/README.md) | [Malay](./translations/ms/README.md) | [Malayalam](./translations/ml/README.md) | [Marathi](./translations/mr/README.md) | [Nepali](./translations/ne/README.md) | [Nigerian Pidgin](./translations/pcm/README.md) | [Norwegian](./translations/no/README.md) | [Persian (Farsi)](./translations/fa/README.md) | [Polish](./translations/pl/README.md) | [Portuguese (Brazil)](./translations/pt-BR/README.md) | [Portuguese (Portugal)](./translations/pt-PT/README.md) | [Punjabi (Gurmukhi)](./translations/pa/README.md) | [Romanian](./translations/ro/README.md) | [Russian](./translations/ru/README.md) | [Serbian (Cyrillic)](./translations/sr/README.md) | [Slovak](./translations/sk/README.md) | [Slovenian](./translations/sl/README.md) | [Spanish](./translations/es/README.md) | [Swahili](./translations/sw/README.md) | [Swedish](./translations/sv/README.md) | [Tagalog (Filipino)](./translations/tl/README.md) | [Tamil](./translations/ta/README.md) | [Telugu](./translations/te/README.md) | [Thai](./translations/th/README.md) | [Turkish](./translations/tr/README.md) | [Ukrainian](./translations/uk/README.md) | [Urdu](./translations/ur/README.md) | [Vietnamese](./translations/vi/README.md) > **Prefer to Clone Locally?** > > This repository includes 50+ language translations which significantly increases the download size. To clone without translations, use sparse checkout: > > **Bash / macOS / Linux:** > ```bash > git clone --filter=blob:none --sparse https://github.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners.git > cd ai-agents-for-beginners > git sparse-checkout set --no-cone '/*' '!translations' '!translated_images' > ``` > > **CMD (Windows):** > ```cmd > git clone --filter=blob:none --sparse https://github.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners.git > cd ai-agents-for-beginners > git sparse-checkout set --no-cone "/*" "!translations" "!translated_images" > ``` > > This gives you everything you need to complete the course with a much faster download. **For additional language options, see [Co-op Translator's supported languages](https://github.com/Azure/co-op-translator/blob/main/docs/supported-languages.md).** [GitHub watchers](https://GitHub.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/watchers/?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [GitHub forks](https://GitHub.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/network/?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [GitHub stars](https://GitHub.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/stargazers/?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [Microsoft Foundry Discord](https://discord.com/invite/ATgtXmAS5D) ## 🌱 Getting Started This course has lessons covering the fundamentals of building AI Agents. Each lesson covers its own topic so start wherever you like! There is multi-language support for this course. Go to our [available languages here](#-multi-language-support). If this is your first time building with Generative AI models, check out our [Generative AI For Beginners](https://aka.ms/genai-beginners) course, which includes 21 lessons on building with GenAI. Don't forget to [star (🌟) this repo](https://docs.github.com/en/get-started/exploring-projects-on-github/saving-repositories-with-stars?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) and [fork this repo](https://github.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/fork) to run the code. ### Meet Other Learners, Get Your Questions Answered If you get stuck or have any questions about building AI Agents, join our dedicated Discord Channel in the [Microsoft Foundry Discord](https://aka.ms/ai-agents/discord). ### What You Need Each lesson in this course includes code examples, which can be found in the code_samples folder. You can [fork this repo](https://github.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/fork) to create your own copy. The code examples in these exercises utilize Microsoft Agent Framework with Microsoft Foundry Agent Service V2: - [Microsoft Foundry](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/ai-foundry) - Azure Account Required This course uses the following AI Agent frameworks and services from Microsoft: - [Microsoft Agent Framework (MAF)](https://learn.microsoft.com/agent-framework/overview/) - [Microsoft Foundry Agent Service V2](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/ai-agent-service) Some code samples also support alternative OpenAI-compatible providers such as [MiniMax](https://platform.minimaxi.com/), which offers large-context models (up to 204K tokens). See the [Course Setup](./00-course-setup/README.md) for configuration details. For more information on running the code for this course, go to the [Course Setup](./00-course-setup/README.md). ## 🙏 Want to help? Do you have suggestions or found spelling or code errors? [Raise an issue](https://github.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/issues?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) or [Create a pull request](https://github.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners/pulls?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) ## 📂 Each lesson includes - A written lesson located in the README and a short video - Python code samples using Microsoft Agent Framework with Microsoft Foundry - Links to extra resources to continue your learning ## 🗃️ Lessons | **Lesson** | **Text & Code** | **Video** | **Extra Learning** | |----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Intro to AI Agents and Agent Use Cases | [Link](./01-intro-to-ai-agents/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/3zgm60bXmQk?si=z8QygFvYQv-9WtO1) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Exploring AI Agentic Frameworks | [Link](./02-explore-agentic-frameworks/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/ODwF-EZo_O8?si=Vawth4hzVaHv-u0H) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Understanding AI Agentic Design Patterns | [Link](./03-agentic-design-patterns/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/m9lM8qqoOEA?si=BIzHwzstTPL8o9GF) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Tool Use Design Pattern | [Link](./04-tool-use/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/vieRiPRx-gI?si=2z6O2Xu2cu_Jz46N) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Agentic RAG | [Link](./05-agentic-rag/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/WcjAARvdL7I?si=gKPWsQpKiIlDH9A3) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Building Trustworthy AI Agents | [Link](./06-building-trustworthy-agents/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/iZKkMEGBCUQ?si=jZjpiMnGFOE9L8OK ) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Planning Design Pattern | [Link](./07-planning-design/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/kPfJ2BrBCMY?si=6SC_iv_E5-mzucnC) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Multi-Agent Design Pattern | [Link](./08-multi-agent/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/V6HpE9hZEx0?si=rMgDhEu7wXo2uo6g) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Metacognition Design Pattern | [Link](./09-metacognition/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/His9R6gw6Ec?si=8gck6vvdSNCt6OcF) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | AI Agents in Production | [Link](./10-ai-agents-production/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/l4TP6IyJxmQ?si=31dnhexRo6yLRJDl) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Using Agentic Protocols (MCP, A2A and NLWeb) | [Link](./11-agentic-protocols/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/X-Dh9R3Opn8) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Context Engineering for AI Agents | [Link](./12-context-engineering/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/F5zqRV7gEag) | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | | Managing Agentic Memory | [Link](./13-agent-memory/README.md) | [Video](https://youtu.be/QrYbHesIxpw?si=vZkVwKrQ4ieCcIPx) | | | Exploring Microsoft Agent Framework | [Link](./14-microsoft-agent-framework/README.md) | | | | Building Computer Use Agents (CUA) | [Link](./15-browser-use/README.md) | | [Link](https://docs.browser-use.com/examples/templates/playwright-integration) | | Deploying Scalable Agents | [Link](./16-deploying-scalable-agents/README.md) | | [Link](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/ai-foundry/agents/overview) | | Creating Local AI Agents | [Link](./17-creating-local-ai-agents/README.md) | | [Link](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/ai-foundry/foundry-local/) | | Securing AI Agents | [Link](./18-securing-ai-agents/README.md) | | [Link](https://aka.ms/ai-agents-beginners/collection?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) | ## 🎒 Other Courses Our team produces other courses! Check out: ### LangChain [LangChain4j for Beginners](https://aka.ms/langchain4j-for-beginners) [LangChain.js for Beginners](https://aka.ms/langchainjs-for-beginners?WT.mc_id=m365-94501-dwahlin) [LangChain for Beginners](https://github.com/microsoft/langchain-for-beginners?WT.mc_id=m365-94501-dwahlin) --- ### Azure / Edge / MCP / Agents [AZD for Beginners](https://github.com/microsoft/AZD-for-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [Edge AI for Beginners](https://github.com/microsoft/edgeai-for-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [MCP for Beginners](https://github.com/microsoft/mcp-for-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [AI Agents for Beginners](https://github.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) --- ### Generative AI Series [Generative AI for Beginners](https://github.com/microsoft/generative-ai-for-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [Generative AI (.NET)](https://github.com/microsoft/Generative-AI-for-beginners-dotnet?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [Generative AI (Java)](https://github.com/microsoft/generative-ai-for-beginners-java?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [Generative AI (JavaScript)](https://github.com/microsoft/generative-ai-with-javascript?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) --- ### Core Learning [ML for Beginners](https://aka.ms/ml-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [Data Science for Beginners](https://aka.ms/datascience-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [AI for Beginners](https://aka.ms/ai-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [Cybersecurity for Beginners](https://github.com/microsoft/Security-101?WT.mc_id=academic-96948-sayoung) [Web Dev for Beginners](https://aka.ms/webdev-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [IoT for Beginners](https://aka.ms/iot-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [XR Development for Beginners](https://github.com/microsoft/xr-development-for-beginners?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) --- ### Copilot Series [Copilot for AI Paired Programming](https://aka.ms/GitHubCopilotAI?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [Copilot for C#/.NET](https://github.com/microsoft/mastering-github-copilot-for-dotnet-csharp-developers?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) [Copilot Adventure](https://github.com/microsoft/CopilotAdventures?WT.mc_id=academic-105485-koreyst) ## 🌟 Community Thanks Thanks to [Shivam Goyal](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivam2003/) for contributing important code samples demonstrating Agentic RAG. ## Contributing This project welcomes contributions and suggestions. Most contributions require you to agree to a Contributor License Agreement (CLA) declaring that you have the right to, and actually do, grant us the rights to use your contribution. For details, visit . When you submit a pull request, a CLA bot will automatically determine whether you need to provide a CLA and decorate the PR appropriately (e.g., status check, comment). Simply follow the instructions provided by the bot. You will only need to do this once across all repos using our CLA. This project has adopted the [Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct](https://opensource.microsoft.com/codeofconduct/). For more information see the [Code of Conduct FAQ](https://opensource.microsoft.com/codeofconduct/faq/) or contact [opencode@microsoft.com](mailto:opencode@microsoft.com) with any additional questions or comments. ## Trademarks This project may contain trademarks or logos for projects, products, or services. Authorized use of Microsoft trademarks or logos is subject to and must follow [Microsoft's Trademark & Brand Guidelines](https://www.microsoft.com/legal/intellectualproperty/trademarks/usage/general). Use of Microsoft trademarks or logos in modified versions of this project must not cause confusion or imply Microsoft sponsorship. Any use of third-party trademarks or logos is subject to those third-parties' policies. ## Getting Help If you get stuck or have any questions about building AI apps, join: [Microsoft Foundry Discord](https://aka.ms/foundry/discord) If you have product feedback or errors while building visit: [Microsoft Foundry Developer Forum](https://aka.ms/foundry/forum) --- Attribution added by YourAIKit. It is not part of the upstream file. - Source: https://github.com/microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners - Credit: Microsoft - Upstream copy: microsoft/ai-agents-for-beginners at commit 735e18437e07f1812af3d088baa00cb93108532a, README.md - Copyright: Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. - License: MIT. Full text: https://youraikit.com/licenses/microsoft-ai-agents-for-beginners-root/LICENSE - Changes: YourAIKit removed 33 embedded images (badges, logos, or pictures); a linked image keeps its link as text. - The full upstream license text (LICENSE) follows. License (LICENSE): ```text MIT License Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE ```