Agent fundamentals
The parts every agent is made of
- Reasoning LLMs vs agentsA model that thinks longer is not an agent. The loop and the tools are.
- ToolsName, description, schema, function. The model proposes, your code executes.
- MCP & SkillsOne standardises how tools plug in, the other teaches the agent how to work.
- RAGChunk, embed, retrieve: adding knowledge at query time without retraining.
- ContextThe window is the agent’s whole world on every call. Budget it.
- Agent memoryShort-term state, and the long-term kinds: semantic, episodic, procedural.
- Planning & reflectionBreak the goal down before acting; check the work before calling it done.
