Core Concepts

    Understand how Fantomu agents work

    What are AI Agents?

    Understanding the fundamentals of AI agents

    8 min

    What are AI Agents?

    AI agents are autonomous systems that can perceive their environment, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals. In the context of Fantomu, AI agents are intelligent assistants that can understand natural language instructions and perform complex tasks.

    Key Characteristics

    1. Autonomy

    AI agents operate independently without constant human intervention:

    • Make decisions based on their programming and learning
    • Execute tasks without step-by-step guidance
    • Adapt to changing conditions

    2. Reactivity

    Agents respond to changes in their environment:

    • Monitor inputs and triggers
    • React to events in real-time
    • Adjust behavior based on context

    3. Proactivity

    Agents can take initiative:

    • Identify opportunities for improvement
    • Suggest actions to users
    • Anticipate needs and requirements

    4. Social Ability

    Agents can interact with other systems:

    • Communicate with humans through natural language
    • Integrate with external APIs and services
    • Collaborate with other agents

    Types of AI Agents

    Simple Reflex Agents

    • Respond to current percepts only
    • Use condition-action rules
    • Fast but limited in complex environments

    Model-Based Agents

    • Maintain internal state
    • Use model of how world works
    • Can handle partially observable environments

    Goal-Based Agents

    • Have specific objectives
    • Use search and planning algorithms
    • Can evaluate different action sequences

    Utility-Based Agents

    • Have preferences and utilities
    • Can make trade-offs between goals
    • Optimize for best overall outcome

    Fantomu Agent Architecture

    text
    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │                    Fantomu Agent                       │
    ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
    │  Natural Language Interface                             │
    │  ┌─────────────────┐  ┌─────────────────┐              │
    │  │   Input Parser  │  │  Response Gen   │              │
    │  └─────────────────┘  └─────────────────┘              │
    ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
    │  Core Processing Engine                                 │
    │  ┌─────────────────┐  ┌─────────────────┐              │
    │  │   Task Planner  │  │  Context Mgmt   │              │
    │  └─────────────────┘  └─────────────────┘              │
    ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
    │  Integration Layer                                      │
    │  ┌─────────────────┐  ┌─────────────────┐              │
    │  │   API Clients   │  │   Data Sources  │              │
    │  └─────────────────┘  └─────────────────┘              │
    └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
    

    Agent Capabilities

    Natural Language Understanding

    • Parse complex instructions
    • Extract intent and entities
    • Handle ambiguous requests

    Task Planning

    • Break down complex tasks
    • Identify required steps
    • Optimize execution order

    Context Management

    • Maintain conversation history
    • Remember user preferences
    • Learn from interactions

    Integration

    • Connect to external services
    • Access databases and APIs
    • Work with multiple data sources

    Real-World Applications

    Customer Service

    • Handle support tickets
    • Provide product information
    • Escalate complex issues

    Content Creation

    • Generate articles and reports
    • Create marketing materials
    • Maintain content calendars

    Data Analysis

    • Process large datasets
    • Generate insights and reports
    • Identify trends and patterns

    Process Automation

    • Streamline workflows
    • Reduce manual tasks
    • Improve efficiency

    Benefits of AI Agents

    For Businesses

    • 24/7 Availability: Agents work around the clock
    • Scalability: Handle multiple tasks simultaneously
    • Consistency: Provide uniform service quality
    • Cost Efficiency: Reduce operational costs

    For Developers

    • Rapid Development: Build complex systems quickly
    • Easy Integration: Simple APIs and SDKs
    • Flexibility: Customize behavior and capabilities
    • Monitoring: Built-in analytics and logging

    For Users

    • Natural Interaction: Communicate in plain language
    • Personalized Service: Learn from preferences
    • Instant Response: Get immediate assistance
    • Multi-Modal: Support text, voice, and visual inputs

    Getting Started

    Ready to build your first AI agent? Check out our [Quick Start Guide](/docs/getting-started) to get up and running in minutes.

    Next Steps

    • Learn about the [Agent Lifecycle](/docs/core-concepts/agent-lifecycle)
    • Understand [Task Execution](/docs/core-concepts/task-execution)
    • Explore [Context & Memory](/docs/core-concepts/context-memory)

    Agent Lifecycle

    How agents are created, deployed, and managed

    6 min

    Agent Lifecycle

    Understanding the complete lifecycle of AI agents in Fantomu, from creation to retirement.

    Lifecycle Stages

    1. Creation

    The initial stage where an agent is defined and configured.

    javascript
    const agent = await client.agents.create({
      name: 'Customer Support Bot',
      description: 'Handles customer inquiries and support tickets',
      capabilities: ['natural_language', 'ticket_management'],
      settings: {
        model: 'gpt-4',
        temperature: 0.7,
        maxTokens: 1000
      }
    });
    

    Key Activities:

    • Define agent purpose and capabilities
    • Configure behavior settings
    • Set up integrations
    • Create initial training data

    2. Development

    Building and testing the agent's functionality.

    javascript
    // Add custom instructions
    await agent.update({
      instructions: `You are a helpful customer support agent.
      
      Guidelines:
      - Always be polite and professional
      - Provide accurate information
      - Escalate complex issues to human agents
      - Follow company policies`
    });
    
    // Test with sample tasks
    const testResult = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Help a customer with a billing question',
      context: { customerTier: 'premium' }
    });
    

    Key Activities:

    • Write custom instructions
    • Test with sample data
    • Iterate on behavior
    • Add integrations

    3. Training

    Teaching the agent through examples and feedback.

    javascript
    // Add training examples
    await agent.training.addExamples([
      {
        input: 'I need help with my account',
        output: 'I'd be happy to help with your account. What specific issue are you experiencing?',
        context: { category: 'account_help' }
      },
      {
        input: 'How do I cancel my subscription?',
        output: 'To cancel your subscription, please go to Settings > Billing > Cancel Subscription. Is there anything I can do to help you stay?',
        context: { category: 'billing' }
      }
    ]);
    
    // Fine-tune based on feedback
    await agent.training.fineTune({
      epochs: 3,
      learningRate: 0.001
    });
    

    Key Activities:

    • Add training examples
    • Collect user feedback
    • Fine-tune models
    • Validate performance

    4. Deployment

    Making the agent available for production use.

    javascript
    // Deploy to production
    await agent.deploy({
      environment: 'production',
      version: '1.0.0',
      monitoring: {
        enabled: true,
        logLevel: 'info'
      }
    });
    
    // Set up webhooks
    await agent.webhooks.create({
      url: 'https://your-app.com/webhooks/agent',
      events: ['task_completed', 'task_failed']
    });
    

    Key Activities:

    • Deploy to production environment
    • Configure monitoring
    • Set up webhooks
    • Update documentation

    5. Monitoring

    Tracking performance and usage in production.

    javascript
    // Monitor agent performance
    const analytics = await agent.getAnalytics({
      period: '7d',
      metrics: ['response_time', 'success_rate', 'user_satisfaction']
    });
    
    // Set up alerts
    await agent.alerts.create({
      condition: 'error_rate > 0.05',
      action: 'notify_team',
      channels: ['email', 'slack']
    });
    

    Key Activities:

    • Monitor key metrics
    • Set up alerts
    • Analyze usage patterns
    • Identify issues

    6. Optimization

    Improving performance based on data and feedback.

    javascript
    // Optimize based on analytics
    if (analytics.responseTime > 5000) {
      await agent.update({
        settings: {
          ...agent.settings,
          temperature: 0.5, // More focused responses
          maxTokens: 800    // Shorter responses
        }
      });
    }
    
    // A/B test different configurations
    await agent.experiments.create({
      name: 'response_length_test',
      variants: [
        { maxTokens: 500, weight: 0.5 },
        { maxTokens: 1000, weight: 0.5 }
      ]
    });
    

    Key Activities:

    • Analyze performance data
    • A/B test configurations
    • Optimize settings
    • Update training data

    7. Maintenance

    Ongoing updates and improvements.

    javascript
    // Regular maintenance tasks
    await agent.maintenance.update({
      schedule: 'weekly',
      tasks: [
        'update_training_data',
        'optimize_settings',
        'review_feedback'
      ]
    });
    
    // Version management
    await agent.versions.create({
      name: 'v1.1.0',
      changes: ['Improved response accuracy', 'Added new capabilities'],
      rollbackStrategy: 'gradual'
    });
    

    Key Activities:

    • Regular updates
    • Version management
    • Bug fixes
    • Feature additions

    8. Retirement

    End-of-life management for agents.

    javascript
    // Archive old agent
    await agent.archive({
      reason: 'replaced_by_v2',
      dataRetention: '1y',
      migrationPath: 'agent_v2'
    });
    
    // Migrate data to new agent
    await agent.migrate({
      targetAgent: 'agent_v2',
      dataTypes: ['conversations', 'preferences', 'training_data']
    });
    

    Key Activities:

    • Plan migration strategy
    • Archive data
    • Update documentation
    • Notify stakeholders

    Best Practices

    1. Start Small

    • Begin with simple use cases
    • Gradually add complexity
    • Test thoroughly at each stage

    2. Monitor Continuously

    • Track key metrics
    • Set up alerts
    • Regular performance reviews

    3. Iterate Based on Data

    • Use analytics to guide decisions
    • A/B test changes
    • Collect user feedback

    4. Plan for Scale

    • Design for growth
    • Consider resource requirements
    • Plan for maintenance

    Next Steps

    • Learn about [Task Execution](/docs/core-concepts/task-execution)
    • Explore [Context & Memory](/docs/core-concepts/context-memory)
    • Check out [Deployment Guide](/docs/deployment)

    Task Execution

    How agents execute tasks and handle errors

    7 min

    Task Execution

    Understanding how Fantomu agents execute tasks, handle errors, and ensure reliable performance.

    Task Execution Flow

    text
    ┌─────────────────┐    ┌─────────────────┐    ┌─────────────────┐
    │   Task Input    │───▶│   Preprocessing  │───▶│   Execution     │
    │                 │    │                 │    │                 │
    └─────────────────┘    └─────────────────┘    └─────────────────┘
                                  │                        │
                                  ▼                        ▼
                           ┌─────────────────┐    ┌─────────────────┐
                           │   Validation    │    │   Postprocessing│
                           │                 │    │                 │
                           └─────────────────┘    └─────────────────┘
                                                           │
                                                           ▼
                                                  ┌─────────────────┐
                                                  │   Result        │
                                                  │   Output        │
                                                  └─────────────────┘
    

    Basic Task Execution

    Simple Task

    javascript
    const result = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Write a professional email',
      context: {
        recipient: 'client@example.com',
        subject: 'Project Update',
        tone: 'professional'
      }
    });
    
    console.log(result.result);
    

    Complex Task with Steps

    javascript
    const result = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Analyze sales data and create a report',
      context: {
        dataSource: 'sales_database',
        period: 'Q1_2024',
        format: 'executive_summary'
      },
      options: {
        maxSteps: 10,
        timeout: 30000,
        retries: 3
      }
    });
    

    Task Types

    1. Text Generation

    Create written content based on prompts.

    javascript
    const content = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Generate blog post about AI trends',
      context: {
        topic: 'AI in healthcare',
        length: '1000 words',
        audience: 'healthcare professionals'
      }
    });
    

    2. Data Analysis

    Process and analyze datasets.

    javascript
    const analysis = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Analyze customer feedback data',
      context: {
        data: customerFeedback,
        metrics: ['sentiment', 'topics', 'trends'],
        outputFormat: 'insights_report'
      }
    });
    

    3. Decision Making

    Make decisions based on criteria and data.

    javascript
    const decision = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Determine if customer qualifies for premium support',
      context: {
        customerTier: 'basic',
        issueComplexity: 'high',
        supportHistory: customerSupportHistory
      }
    });
    

    4. Integration Tasks

    Interact with external systems.

    javascript
    const integration = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Create a new project in Jira',
      context: {
        projectName: 'Q2 Marketing Campaign',
        description: 'Marketing campaign for Q2 product launch',
        assignee: 'marketing-team'
      }
    });
    

    Error Handling

    Built-in Error Handling

    javascript
    try {
      const result = await agent.execute({
        task: 'Process user request',
        context: userContext
      });
      
      if (result.success) {
        console.log('Task completed:', result.result);
      } else {
        console.error('Task failed:', result.error);
      }
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Execution error:', error.message);
    }
    

    Custom Error Handling

    javascript
    async function executeWithRetry(agent, task, context, maxRetries = 3) {
      for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= maxRetries; attempt++) {
        try {
          const result = await agent.execute({ task, context });
          return result;
        } catch (error) {
          console.log(`Attempt ${attempt} failed:`, error.message);
          
          if (attempt === maxRetries) {
            throw new Error(`Task failed after ${maxRetries} attempts`);
          }
          
          // Exponential backoff
          await new Promise(resolve => 
            setTimeout(resolve, Math.pow(2, attempt) * 1000)
          );
        }
      }
    }
    

    Error Types

    Validation Errors

    json
    {
      "error": "validation_failed",
      "message": "Invalid task format",
      "details": {
        "field": "context",
        "issue": "missing_required_field"
      }
    }
    

    Execution Errors

    json
    {
      "error": "execution_failed",
      "message": "Task execution timeout",
      "details": {
        "timeout": 30000,
        "elapsed": 30001
      }
    }
    

    Integration Errors

    json
    {
      "error": "integration_failed",
      "message": "External service unavailable",
      "details": {
        "service": "jira_api",
        "status": 503
      }
    }
    

    Performance Optimization

    Parallel Execution

    javascript
    // Execute multiple tasks in parallel
    const tasks = [
      { task: 'Analyze sales data', context: salesContext },
      { task: 'Generate report', context: reportContext },
      { task: 'Send notifications', context: notificationContext }
    ];
    
    const results = await Promise.all(
      tasks.map(task => agent.execute(task))
    );
    

    Caching

    javascript
    // Enable caching for repeated tasks
    const result = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Generate weekly report',
      context: weeklyContext,
      options: {
        cache: true,
        cacheTTL: 3600 // 1 hour
      }
    });
    

    Resource Management

    javascript
    // Limit resource usage
    const result = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Process large dataset',
      context: largeDataset,
      options: {
        maxMemory: '512MB',
        maxCPU: '50%',
        timeout: 60000
      }
    });
    

    Monitoring and Logging

    Basic Monitoring

    javascript
    // Monitor task execution
    agent.on('task_started', (data) => {
      console.log('Task started:', data.taskId);
    });
    
    agent.on('task_completed', (data) => {
      console.log('Task completed:', {
        taskId: data.taskId,
        duration: data.duration,
        success: data.success
      });
    });
    
    agent.on('task_failed', (error) => {
      console.error('Task failed:', error);
    });
    

    Advanced Analytics

    javascript
    // Get detailed analytics
    const analytics = await agent.getAnalytics({
      period: '7d',
      metrics: [
        'execution_time',
        'success_rate',
        'error_rate',
        'resource_usage'
      ]
    });
    
    console.log('Performance metrics:', analytics);
    

    Best Practices

    1. Design for Failure

    • Implement proper error handling
    • Use retries and fallbacks
    • Monitor and alert on issues

    2. Optimize Performance

    • Use parallel execution when possible
    • Implement caching strategies
    • Monitor resource usage

    3. Test Thoroughly

    • Test with various inputs
    • Simulate error conditions
    • Validate output quality

    4. Monitor Continuously

    • Track key metrics
    • Set up alerts
    • Regular performance reviews

    Next Steps

    • Learn about [Context & Memory](/docs/core-concepts/context-memory)
    • Explore [Workflows](/docs/workflows)
    • Check out [Deployment](/docs/deployment)

    Context & Memory

    How agents maintain context across tasks

    5 min

    Context & Memory

    Understanding how Fantomu agents maintain context and memory across tasks and conversations.

    What is Context?

    Context is the information that an agent uses to understand and respond appropriately to tasks. It includes:

    • Conversation History: Previous messages and responses
    • User Preferences: Individual settings and preferences
    • Task State: Current progress and intermediate results
    • Environmental Data: External information and conditions

    Types of Memory

    1. Short-term Memory

    Temporary information that persists during a single conversation.

    javascript
    // Short-term context for a conversation
    const context = {
      conversationId: 'conv_123',
      userId: 'user_456',
      sessionData: {
        currentTask: 'email_drafting',
        preferences: {
          tone: 'professional',
          length: 'medium'
        }
      }
    };
    

    2. Long-term Memory

    Persistent information that spans multiple conversations.

    javascript
    // Long-term user preferences
    const userMemory = {
      userId: 'user_456',
      preferences: {
        communicationStyle: 'formal',
        timezone: 'PST',
        language: 'en-US'
      },
      history: {
        commonTasks: ['email_drafting', 'data_analysis'],
        preferredIntegrations: ['gmail', 'slack']
      }
    };
    

    3. Working Memory

    Temporary storage for active task processing.

    javascript
    // Working memory during task execution
    const workingMemory = {
      taskId: 'task_789',
      currentStep: 3,
      intermediateResults: {
        step1: 'data_analyzed',
        step2: 'insights_generated',
        step3: 'report_drafting'
      },
      variables: {
        dataSource: 'sales_db',
        reportFormat: 'executive_summary'
      }
    };
    

    Context Management

    Setting Context

    javascript
    // Set initial context
    await agent.setContext({
      userId: 'user_123',
      sessionId: 'session_456',
      preferences: {
        tone: 'professional',
        detailLevel: 'high'
      }
    });
    
    // Update context during conversation
    await agent.updateContext({
      currentTask: 'email_drafting',
      recipient: 'client@example.com',
      subject: 'Project Update'
    });
    

    Retrieving Context

    javascript
    // Get current context
    const context = await agent.getContext();
    
    // Get specific context data
    const userPrefs = await agent.getContext('preferences');
    const taskState = await agent.getContext('currentTask');
    

    Context Persistence

    javascript
    // Save context for later use
    await agent.saveContext({
      key: 'user_preferences',
      data: {
        communicationStyle: 'formal',
        timezone: 'PST'
      },
      ttl: 86400 // 24 hours
    });
    
    // Retrieve saved context
    const savedContext = await agent.getSavedContext('user_preferences');
    

    Memory Strategies

    1. Context Windows

    Limit the amount of context to maintain performance.

    javascript
    // Configure context window
    await agent.configureMemory({
      maxContextLength: 4000,
      contextWindow: 'sliding', // or 'fixed'
      retentionPolicy: 'lru' // least recently used
    });
    

    2. Context Summarization

    Compress old context to save space.

    javascript
    // Enable context summarization
    await agent.enableSummarization({
      threshold: 3000, // Summarize when context exceeds this
      method: 'extractive', // or 'abstractive'
      preserveKey: true // Keep important information
    });
    

    3. Selective Memory

    Choose what to remember based on importance.

    javascript
    // Configure selective memory
    await agent.configureSelectiveMemory({
      importanceThreshold: 0.7,
      categories: ['user_preferences', 'task_outcomes'],
      autoForget: ['temporary_data', 'debug_info']
    });
    

    Context in Task Execution

    Passing Context to Tasks

    javascript
    // Execute task with context
    const result = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Draft a follow-up email',
      context: {
        previousEmails: [
          'Initial inquiry about pricing',
          'Scheduled demo call'
        ],
        recipient: 'prospect@company.com',
        meetingOutcome: 'positive_interest'
      }
    });
    

    Context-Aware Responses

    javascript
    // Agent automatically uses context
    const response = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Respond to customer inquiry',
      context: {
        customerHistory: {
          previousIssues: ['billing_dispute', 'feature_request'],
          satisfaction: 'high',
          tier: 'premium'
        },
        currentIssue: 'technical_support'
      }
    });
    

    Memory Optimization

    1. Efficient Storage

    javascript
    // Use efficient data structures
    const context = {
      // Use references instead of duplicating data
      userId: 'user_123',
      taskRefs: ['task_456', 'task_789'],
      
      // Compress large data
      compressedData: await compress(largeDataset),
      
      // Use timestamps for temporal data
      lastUpdated: Date.now()
    };
    

    2. Memory Cleanup

    javascript
    // Regular cleanup of old context
    await agent.cleanupMemory({
      olderThan: 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000, // 7 days
      keepImportant: true,
      compressOld: true
    });
    

    3. Memory Monitoring

    javascript
    // Monitor memory usage
    const memoryStats = await agent.getMemoryStats();
    
    console.log('Memory usage:', {
      totalSize: memoryStats.totalSize,
      contextCount: memoryStats.contextCount,
      averageContextSize: memoryStats.averageContextSize
    });
    

    Advanced Context Features

    Context Inheritance

    javascript
    // Inherit context from parent task
    const childTask = await agent.execute({
      task: 'Generate detailed report',
      context: {
        inheritFrom: 'parent_task_123',
        additionalContext: {
          detailLevel: 'high',
          includeCharts: true
        }
      }
    });
    

    Context Sharing

    javascript
    // Share context between agents
    await agent.shareContext({
      targetAgent: 'analytics_agent',
      contextKeys: ['user_preferences', 'data_sources'],
      permissions: 'read_only'
    });
    

    Context Validation

    javascript
    // Validate context before use
    const isValid = await agent.validateContext({
      required: ['userId', 'taskType'],
      optional: ['preferences', 'history'],
      constraints: {
        userId: 'string',
        taskType: ['email', 'analysis', 'automation']
      }
    });
    

    Best Practices

    1. Keep Context Relevant

    • Only store necessary information
    • Regular cleanup of old data
    • Use efficient data structures

    2. Protect Sensitive Data

    • Encrypt sensitive information
    • Implement access controls
    • Regular security audits

    3. Monitor Performance

    • Track memory usage
    • Monitor context retrieval times
    • Optimize based on usage patterns

    4. Test Context Handling

    • Test with various context sizes
    • Validate context persistence
    • Simulate context loss scenarios

    Next Steps

    • Explore [Workflows](/docs/workflows) for complex task orchestration
    • Learn about [Integrations](/docs/integrations) for external data
    • Check out [Deployment](/docs/deployment) for production setup