The Architecture of an Agent
A modern AI agent is not just an LLM—it is a software system where the LLM serves as the reasoning engine.
Core Components
- The Brain (LLM): Evaluates state and predicts the next action.
- The Tools (Actuators): Functions the agent can execute (e.g.,
search_web(), read_file()).
- The Memory (State): Short-term context (the current prompt) and long-term memory (vector databases storing past experiences).
- The Orchestrator: The control code (usually Python/TypeScript) that handles the while-loop, executes the tools, and feeds results back to the LLM.
🚧 Crucial Warning: Infinite loops are the enemy of agent design. Always implement a max_iterations limit in your orchestrator to prevent runaway costs.