AutoGPT/docs/platform/create-basic-agent.md

Creating a Basic AI Agent with AutoGPT

Overview

This guide walks through creating a simple question-answer AI agent using AutoGPT's visual builder. This is a basic example that can be expanded into more complex agents.

Prerequisites

Cloud-Hosted AutoGPT

If you're using the cloud-hosted version at agpt.co, you're ready to go! AI blocks come with built-in credits — no API keys required to get started. If you'd prefer to use your own API keys, you can add them via Profile → Integrations.

Self-Hosted (Docker)

If you're running AutoGPT yourself, you'll need to add your own API keys. Where they go depends on how you installed it.

Docker Hub image (significantgravitas/autogpt): the backend reads these keys from the container's environment. Put them in an environment file, for example autogpt.env (or pass each one with -e):

# autogpt.env
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-your-key-here
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-your-key-here
# Add other provider keys as needed

Then replace the container so it starts with those keys, keeping the same autogpt-data volume:

docker stop autogpt && docker rm autogpt
# then rerun your original docker run command with --env-file autogpt.env added

Appliance installer: add the keys to the installer's private autogpt.env, then recreate the container as described in Runtime Configuration.

Docker Compose from source: add the same keys to autogpt_platform/backend/.env, then restart the services from autogpt_platform/:

docker compose down && docker compose up -d

AutoPilot has its own provider settings; see Models and memory.

Note: The Calculator example below doesn't require any API credentials — it's a good way to test your setup before adding AI blocks.

Example Agent: Q&A (with AI)

A step-by-step guide to creating a simple Q&A agent using input and output blocks.

Components Required

1. Input Block
2. AI Text Generator Block
3. Output Block

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Set Up the Basic Structure

1. Add an Input Block
2. Add an AI Text Generator Block
3. Add an Output Block

2. Connect the Components

1. Connect the Input Block to the AI Text Generator's Prompt
2. Connect the AI Text Generator's response to the Output Block's value

3. Configure Block Names

• Name the Input Block: "question"
• Name the Output Block: "answer"

4. Save the Agent

1. Click the Save button
2. Name your agent (e.g., "question and answer")

5. Test the Agent

1. Click the Run button
2. Enter a question in the input field (e.g., "How far is Earth from Pluto?")
3. View the results through either:
   • The "View More" option
   • The "Agent Outputs" section

Viewing Results

You can access the AI's response in two ways:

• Click "View More" for detailed results
• Check the "Agent Outputs" section for the response

Example Agent: Calculator (without AI)

A step-by-step guide to creating a simple calculator agent using input and output blocks.

##Components Required

• Input Block (2 instances)
• Calculator Block
• Output Block

Setup Instructions

1. Adding Input Blocks

1. Add two input blocks, positioned one below the other
2. Name the first input block "a"
3. Name the second input block "b"

2. Adding Calculator Block

1. Add a calculator block to your workspace
2. Position it after the input blocks

3. Adding Output Block

1. Add an output block
2. Name it "results"

4. Connecting the Blocks

1. Connect the "a" input block to the "a" input on the calculator block
2. Connect the "b" input block to the "b" input on the calculator block
3. Connect the calculator block's result to the value input of the output block

5. Saving Your Agent

1. Name your agent (e.g., "Simple Calculate Agent")
2. Save the configuration

Testing Your Calculator

Running Calculations

1. Enter values in both input blocks
2. Select the desired operation (e.g., multiply)
3. Click the "Run" button to execute the calculation

Viewing Results

There are two ways to view the calculation results:

1. Click "View More" to see the detailed output
2. Check the "Agent Outputs" section, which displays results from the output block

Example Calculation

• Input A: 227
• Input B: 17
• Operation: Multiply
• Expected output will be shown in the results section

Tips

• Always save your agent after making changes
• Verify all connections are properly made before running
• Use the "View More" option for detailed output information

Note

While these are basic example, you can enhance the agent with additional blocks and functionality to create more complex interactions.