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Key Takeaways

  1. Agents extend LLMs with actions: The agent loop (think → act → think) enables multi-step workflows and external data access that simple LLM calls can’t achieve.
  2. Tool design directly impacts reliability: Research shows 1-3 parameter tools achieve 90%+ accuracy, while 7+ parameters drop to 60-70%. Break complex tools into simple, composable pieces.
  3. Memory prevents waste: Production agents need working memory (session context) and long-term memory (persistent knowledge) to avoid redundant tool calls and maintain user context.
  4. MCP is the standard: Model Context Protocol provides consistent tool interfaces, discovery, error handling, and security - use it over custom tool implementations.
  5. Choose integration patterns intentionally: Code-driven memory offers predictability, LLM-driven offers flexibility, background extraction offers continuous learning. Most production systems use hybrid approaches.

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Production Checklist

Before deploying agents to production, ensure:
  • Agent loop properly handles all stop reasons (tool use, completion, errors)
  • Tools follow MCP best practices (clear names, comprehensive descriptions)
  • Tool parameters kept simple (prefer 1-3 params per tool)
  • Consistent response format across all tools (success/error envelope)
  • Working memory implemented for session continuity
  • Tool result caching to avoid redundant API calls
  • Long-term memory for user preferences and persistent context
  • Error handling that returns structured responses (never throw to agent)
  • Tool descriptions include “when to use” and “when NOT to use”
  • Memory integration pattern chosen based on control requirements

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Common Pitfalls Recap

❌ Complex tools: 7+ parameters = accuracy drop to 60-70%
❌ Vague descriptions: Agent can’t select tools accurately without context
❌ No memory: Redundant tool calls waste money and add latency
❌ Inconsistent responses: Agents struggle with varying tool output formats
❌ Throwing exceptions: Return structured errors instead
❌ Missing “when NOT to use”: Agents pick wrong tools without negative guidance

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Learn More

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Official Documentation

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Research Papers

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Memory Systems

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Framework Documentation

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Community