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1 +---

2 +name: a0-development

3 +description: Development guide for extending and building features for the Agent Zero AI framework. Covers architecture, tools, extensions, API endpoints, agent profiles, projects, prompts, and skills — with correct paths, imports, and patterns matching the current codebase.

4 +version: 1.0.0

5 +author: Agent Zero Team

6 +tags: ["development", "framework", "agent-zero", "extending", "tools", "extensions", "skills", "api", "agents", "prompts"]

7 +trigger_patterns:

8 + - "extend agent zero"

9 + - "agent zero development"

10 + - "build agent zero feature"

11 + - "create agent zero tool"

12 + - "add extension"

13 + - "framework development"

14 + - "agent zero architecture"

15 + - "how does agent zero work"

16 + - "create agent zero extension"

17 + - "add api endpoint"

18 + - "create agent profile"

19 + - "agent zero internals"

20 + - "how does the agent loop work"

21 + - "extension hook points"

22 + - "prompt system"

23 + - "agent profile"

24 +---

25 +

26 +# Agent Zero Development Guide

27 +

28 +This skill provides comprehensive, accurate guidance for extending and building features for Agent Zero. Use it when you need to:

29 +

30 +- Understand the **architecture** and project layout

31 +- Create new **Tools** for agent capabilities

32 +- Add **Extensions** to hook into the framework lifecycle

33 +- Build **API Endpoints** for the Web UI

34 +- Create **Agent Profiles** (subordinates) with custom prompts

35 +- Understand and extend the **Prompt System**

36 +- Create **Skills** (see the dedicated `create-skill` skill for the full wizard)

37 +- Work with **Projects** and workspace configuration

38 +

39 +> **Path convention:** Throughout this guide, `/a0/` refers to the framework root — this is `/a0/` inside Docker, or your local repository root in development. All paths are relative to this root.

40 +

41 +> [!IMPORTANT]

42 +> **Plugins are the primary way to extend Agent Zero.** Most new tools, extensions, and prompts should be packaged as plugins. For all plugin tasks (create, review, manage, debug, contribute), load the `a0-plugin-router` skill which routes to the appropriate specialist. This guide covers the underlying framework patterns that plugins build upon.

43 +

45 +

46 +---

47 +

48 +## Architecture Overview

49 +

50 +### Project Layout

51 +

52 +```

53 +/a0/ # Framework root

54 +├── agent.py # Core Agent + AgentContext + AgentConfig classes

55 +├── initialize.py # Agent initialization logic

56 +├── models.py # Model definitions

57 +├── run_ui.py # Web UI entry point

58 +│

59 +├── tools/ # Core tools (search, response, browser, etc.)

60 +├── extensions/

61 +│ ├── python/ # Python lifecycle extensions

62 +│ │ ├── <hook_point>/ # e.g., agent_init/, system_prompt/, etc.

63 +│ │ │ └── _NN_name.py # Numbered extension files

64 +│ │ └── _functions/ # Implicit @extensible decorator extensions

65 +│ └── webui/ # JavaScript WebUI extensions

66 +│ └── <hook_point>/ # e.g., json_api_call_before/

67 +│ └── name.js

68 +├── api/ # Flask API endpoint handlers

69 +├── helpers/ # Framework utilities and base classes

70 +│ ├── tool.py # Tool + Response base classes

71 +│ ├── extension.py # Extension base class + @extensible decorator

72 +│ ├── api.py # ApiHandler base class

73 +│ ├── files.py # File operations + prompt reading

74 +│ ├── plugins.py # Plugin system manager

75 +│ ├── print_style.py # Console output formatting

76 +│ └── ... # Many more utility modules

77 +│

78 +├── prompts/ # Core prompt fragments (system, tools, framework)

79 +├── agents/ # Agent profiles (subordinate specializations)

80 +│ ├── default/ # Base profile (inherited by others)

81 +│ ├── agent0/ # Main user-facing agent

82 +│ ├── developer/ # Developer subordinate

83 +│ ├── hacker/ # Security subordinate

84 +│ ├── researcher/ # Research subordinate

85 +│ └── _example/ # Example profile with tool + extension samples

86 +│

87 +├── plugins/ # Core plugins (tools, extensions, prompts)

88 +│ ├── _code_execution/ # Terminal/Python/Node.js execution

89 +│ ├── _memory/ # Persistent memory system

90 +│ ├── _text_editor/ # File read/write/patch

91 +│ ├── _model_config/ # LLM model selection

92 +│ ├── _infection_check/ # Prompt injection safety

93 +│ └── ... # More core plugins

94 +│

95 +├── skills/ # Core skills (SKILL.md bundles)

96 +├── knowledge/ # Knowledge base files

97 +├── webui/ # Web UI frontend

98 +├── docs/ # Documentation

99 +│

100 +└── usr/ # User-space (survives updates)

101 + ├── agents/ # User-created agent profiles

102 + ├── plugins/ # User-installed plugins

103 + ├── skills/ # User-created skills

104 + ├── knowledge/ # User knowledge base files

105 + ├── extensions/ # Standalone user extensions (created on demand; prefer plugins instead)

106 + ├── projects/ # Project workspaces (created on demand when user adds projects via UI)

107 + └── workdir/ # Default working directory

108 +```

109 +

110 +### Key Architecture Patterns

111 +

112 +1. **Plugin-first design** — Most capabilities (tools, extensions, prompts) are delivered via plugins in `/a0/plugins/` (core) or `/a0/usr/plugins/` (user).

113 +2. **Extensions execute in numeric order** — Files named `_10_*.py`, `_20_*.py`, etc. run sequentially within each hook point.

114 +3. **Tools inherit from `Tool`** — All tools implement the `execute()` method returning a `Response`.

115 +4. **Shared `AgentContext`** — Enables state persistence across agents in a conversation.

116 +5. **Async/await throughout** — All tool execution, extensions, and API handlers are async.

117 +6. **Prompt fragments compose** — System prompts are assembled from named fragments with includes and variable substitution.

118 +7. **Profile inheritance** — Agent profiles inherit from `default/` and override specific prompt fragments.

119 +8. **User-space separation** — Everything under `/a0/usr/` survives framework updates.

120 +

121 +### Agent Loop

122 +

123 +The core execution cycle works as follows:

124 +

125 +1. **User message** arrives (via UI or API)

126 +2. **System prompt assembly** — prompt fragments are composed with includes and variable substitution

127 +3. **LLM call** — the assembled prompt + conversation history is sent to the model

128 +4. **Response parsing** — the framework parses the LLM response looking for JSON tool calls

129 +5. **Tool execution** — if tool calls are found, each tool's `execute()` method is called and the result is appended to history

130 +6. **Loop continues** — steps 3-5 repeat until the agent produces a `response` tool call (which ends the loop) or a loop limit is reached

131 +

132 +Extensions fire at each stage (e.g., `monologue_start`, `before_main_llm_call`, `tool_execute_before`, etc.), allowing plugins to observe and modify behavior at every point.

133 +

134 +---

135 +

136 +## Creating Tools

137 +

138 +Tools are how agents interact with the world. Each tool inherits from the `Tool` base class.

139 +

140 +### Import Path

141 +

142 +```python

143 +from helpers.tool import Tool, Response

144 +```

145 +

146 +### Tool Base Class

147 +

148 +```python

149 +# /a0/helpers/tool.py

150 +

151 +@dataclass

152 +class Response:

153 + message: str # Text response shown to agent

154 + break_loop: bool # True = stop agent message loop

155 + additional: dict[str, Any] | None = None # Extra metadata for history

156 +

157 +class Tool:

158 + def __init__(self, agent: Agent, name: str, method: str | None,

159 + args: dict[str,str], message: str,

160 + loop_data: LoopData | None, **kwargs) -> None:

161 + self.agent = agent

162 + self.name = name

163 + self.method = method # For tools with sub-methods (e.g., "skills_tool:load")

164 + self.args = args

165 + self.loop_data = loop_data

166 + self.message = message

167 +

168 + async def execute(self, **kwargs) -> Response:

169 + pass # Override this

170 +

171 + # Lifecycle hooks (called automatically):

172 + async def before_execution(self, **kwargs): ...

173 + async def after_execution(self, response: Response, **kwargs): ...

174 +```

175 +

176 +### Where Tools Live

177 +

178 +| Location | Purpose |

179 +|---|---|

180 +| `/a0/tools/` | Core framework tools (search, response, call_subordinate, etc.) |

181 +| `/a0/plugins/<plugin>/tools/` | Plugin-provided tools (code_execution, memory, text_editor) |

182 +| `/a0/agents/<profile>/tools/` | Profile-specific tool overrides |

183 +| `/a0/usr/plugins/<plugin>/tools/` | User plugin tools |

184 +

185 +### Example: Creating a Tool

186 +

187 +Based on the actual `_example` profile in `/a0/agents/_example/tools/example_tool.py`:

188 +

189 +```python

190 +# my_tool.py

191 +from helpers.tool import Tool, Response

192 +

193 +class MyTool(Tool):

194 + async def execute(self, **kwargs):

195 + # Get arguments — kwargs contains the tool_args from the agent's JSON

196 + input_data = kwargs.get("input", "")

197 +

198 + # Do something

199 + result = f"Processed: {input_data}"

200 +

201 + # Return response

202 + return Response(

203 + message=result, # Shown to the agent

204 + break_loop=False, # Don't stop the agent loop

205 + )

206 +```

207 +

208 +> [!IMPORTANT]

209 +> Every tool needs a corresponding **prompt fragment** so the agent knows how to use it. Create a file named `agent.system.tool.<tool_name>.md` in the appropriate `prompts/` directory. See the [Prompt System](#prompt-system) section.

210 +

211 +### Tool Best Practices

212 +

213 +- Always handle errors gracefully — return error messages in `Response`, don't crash

214 +- Access agent context via `self.agent.context`

215 +- Use `self.method` to support sub-methods (e.g., `my_tool:action1`, `my_tool:action2`)

216 +- Use `kwargs.get()` to read arguments with defaults

217 +- For long operations, use `self.set_progress()` or `self.add_progress()` to show status

218 +- Access `self.loop_data` for loop state (iteration count, timing, etc.) — this is the `LoopData` instance passed during tool dispatch

219 +

220 +---

221 +

222 +## Creating Extensions

223 +

224 +Extensions hook into specific lifecycle points in the agent framework.

225 +

226 +### Import Path

227 +

228 +```python

229 +from helpers.extension import Extension

230 +```

231 +

232 +### Extension Base Class

233 +

234 +```python

235 +class Extension:

236 + def __init__(self, agent: "Agent | None", **kwargs):

237 + self.agent: "Agent | None" = agent

238 + self.kwargs = kwargs

239 +

240 + def execute(self, **kwargs) -> None | Awaitable[None]:

241 + pass # Override this — kwargs are hook-point-specific

242 +```

243 +

244 +> Extensions can be sync or async. If `execute()` returns an `Awaitable`, the framework will `await` it automatically. The `agent` parameter is nullable because some hook points (like `startup_migration` or `banners`) fire before an agent exists.

245 +

246 +### Extension File Location

247 +

248 +Extensions live in directories named by their hook point. The path structure is:

249 +

250 +```

251 +extensions/python/<hook_point>/_NN_name.py

252 +```

253 +

254 +Where `_NN_` is a numeric prefix controlling execution order (e.g., `_10_`, `_20_`, `_50_`).

255 +

256 +| Source | Path |

257 +|---|---|

258 +| Core extensions | `/a0/extensions/python/<hook_point>/` |

259 +| Plugin extensions | `/a0/plugins/<plugin>/extensions/python/<hook_point>/` |

260 +| User extensions | `/a0/usr/extensions/python/<hook_point>/` |

261 +| Agent profile extensions | `/a0/agents/<profile>/extensions/<hook_point>/` |

262 +| User plugin extensions | `/a0/usr/plugins/<plugin>/extensions/python/<hook_point>/` |

263 +

264 +### Python Extension Hook Points

265 +

266 +Complete list of available hook points:

267 +

268 +| Hook Point | When It Fires | Common Use |

269 +|---|---|---|

270 +| `agent_init` | Agent is initialized | Load configs, set defaults |

271 +| `system_prompt` | System prompt is being assembled | Inject prompt content |

272 +| `monologue_start` | Agent monologue begins | Pre-processing, state setup |

273 +| `message_loop_start` | Before message processing loop | Pre-loop setup |

274 +| `message_loop_prompts_before` | Before prompt assembly in loop | Modify prompt inputs |

275 +| `message_loop_prompts_after` | After prompt assembly in loop | Add context (memory recall lives here) |

276 +| `before_main_llm_call` | Before the LLM API call | Modify prompts, add context |

277 +| `util_model_call_before` | Before utility model calls | Modify utility prompts |

278 +| `response_stream` | When response streaming begins | Initialize stream handlers |

279 +| `response_stream_chunk` | Per response chunk received | Transform output, collect data |

280 +| `response_stream_end` | Response streaming complete | Finalize, analyze full response |

281 +| `reasoning_stream` | Reasoning/thinking stream begins | Monitor reasoning |

282 +| `reasoning_stream_chunk` | Per reasoning chunk | Collect reasoning data |

283 +| `reasoning_stream_end` | Reasoning stream complete | Analyze reasoning |

284 +| `tool_execute_before` | Before a tool runs | Validation, logging, safety checks |

285 +| `tool_execute_after` | After a tool runs | Post-process results |

286 +| `hist_add_before` | Before adding to history | Modify history entries |

287 +| `hist_add_tool_result` | After tool result added to history | Log tool results |

288 +| `message_loop_end` | After message processing loop | Post-loop cleanup |

289 +| `monologue_end` | Agent monologue complete | Memorization, cleanup |

290 +| `process_chain_end` | Entire processing chain done | Final cleanup |

291 +| `job_loop` | Background job loop tick | Periodic background tasks |

292 +| `error_format` | Error is being formatted | Custom error messages |

293 +| `startup_migration` | Framework startup | Data migrations |

294 +| `banners` | Startup banners displayed | Add custom banners |

295 +| `embedding_model_changed` | Embedding model changed | Reload vector stores (fired programmatically, not a directory-based hook) |

296 +| `user_message_ui` | User message from UI | Pre-process user input |

297 +| `webui_ws_connect` | WebSocket client connects | Session setup |

298 +| `webui_ws_disconnect` | WebSocket client disconnects | Session cleanup |

299 +| `webui_ws_event` | WebSocket event received | Handle custom WS events |

300 +

301 +### The `@extensible` Decorator (Implicit Extension Points)

302 +

303 +Any framework function decorated with `@extensible` automatically gets two extension points:

304 +

305 +```

306 +_functions/<module_path>/<qualname_path>/start

307 +_functions/<module_path>/<qualname_path>/end

308 +```

309 +

310 +The path mapping converts Python module paths and qualified names using `/` separators:

311 +- Module `agent.py` → `agent`

312 +- Class method `Agent.handle_exception` → `Agent/handle_exception`

313 +- Full path: `_functions/agent/Agent/handle_exception/start`

314 +

315 +For nested modules like `helpers.history`, a method `History.add` would map to `_functions/helpers/history/History/add/start`.

316 +

317 +For example, a function `Agent.handle_exception` in module `agent` creates:

318 +- `_functions/agent/Agent/handle_exception/start`

319 +- `_functions/agent/Agent/handle_exception/end`

320 +

321 +Extensions in these directories receive a `data` dict with:

322 +- `data["args"]` — positional args (mutable)

323 +- `data["kwargs"]` — keyword args (mutable)

324 +- `data["result"]` — set this to short-circuit the function

325 +- `data["exception"]` — set to a `BaseException` to force-raise

326 +

327 +This is used by plugins like `_error_retry` to wrap core agent methods.

328 +

329 +### WebUI Extensions (JavaScript)

330 +

331 +Client-side extensions live under `extensions/webui/<hook_point>/`:

332 +

333 +| Hook Point | When It Fires |

334 +|---|---|

335 +| `json_api_call_before` | Before a JSON API request |

336 +| `json_api_call_after` | After a JSON API response |

337 +| `fetch_api_call_before` | Before a fetch API request |

338 +| `fetch_api_call_after` | After a fetch API response |

339 +| `get_message_handler` | Register custom message renderers |

340 +| `set_messages_before_loop` | Before messages are rendered |

341 +| `set_messages_after_loop` | After messages are rendered |

342 +| `webui_ws_push` | WebSocket push to client |

343 +

344 +### Example: Creating an Extension

345 +

346 +Based on the actual `_example` profile in `/a0/agents/_example/extensions/agent_init/_10_example_extension.py`:

347 +

348 +```python

349 +# extensions/python/agent_init/_15_my_extension.py

350 +from helpers.extension import Extension

351 +

352 +class MyExtension(Extension):

353 + async def execute(self, **kwargs):

354 + # Access the agent

355 + agent = self.agent

356 + context = agent.context

357 +

358 + # Extension logic — kwargs content depends on the hook point

359 + agent.agent_name = "CustomAgent" + str(agent.number)

360 +```

361 +

362 +### Extension Execution Order

363 +

364 +Extensions execute in numeric order based on filename prefix:

365 +

366 +```

367 +_10_first.py # Runs first

368 +_20_second.py # Runs second

369 +_50_third.py # Runs third

370 +```

371 +

372 +Use 10-number increments to leave room for future extensions.

373 +

374 +---

375 +

376 +## Creating API Endpoints

377 +

378 +API endpoints serve the Web UI and external clients using Flask.

379 +

380 +### Import Path

381 +

382 +```python

383 +from helpers.api import ApiHandler

384 +from flask import Request, Response

385 +```

386 +

387 +### ApiHandler Base Class

388 +

389 +```python

390 +class ApiHandler:

391 + def __init__(self, app: Flask, thread_lock: ThreadLockType):

392 + self.app = app

393 + self.thread_lock = thread_lock

394 +

395 + # Override these class methods to configure behavior:

396 + @classmethod

397 + def requires_loopback(cls) -> bool: return False # Restrict to localhost

398 + @classmethod

399 + def requires_api_key(cls) -> bool: return False # Require API key

400 + @classmethod

401 + def requires_auth(cls) -> bool: return True # Require auth session

402 + @classmethod

403 + def get_methods(cls) -> list[str]: return ["POST"] # HTTP methods

404 + @classmethod

405 + def requires_csrf(cls) -> bool: return cls.requires_auth() # CSRF protection

406 +

407 + # Implement this:

408 + async def process(self, input: dict, request: Request) -> dict | Response:

409 + pass

410 +

411 + # Utility: get or create an agent context

412 + def use_context(self, ctxid: str, create_if_not_exists: bool = True) -> AgentContext:

413 + ...

414 +```

415 +

416 +### Where API Endpoints Live

417 +

418 +| Location | Purpose |

419 +|---|---|

420 +| `/a0/api/` | Core API endpoints |

421 +| `/a0/plugins/<plugin>/api/` | Plugin API endpoints |

422 +| `/a0/usr/plugins/<plugin>/api/` | User plugin API endpoints |

423 +

424 +Endpoints are auto-discovered by filename. The route is derived from the filename (e.g., `my_endpoint.py` -> `/api/my_endpoint`).

425 +

426 +### Example: API Endpoint

427 +

428 +```python

429 +# api/my_endpoint.py

430 +from helpers.api import ApiHandler

431 +from flask import Request, Response

432 +from agent import AgentContext

433 +

434 +class MyEndpoint(ApiHandler):

435 + @classmethod

436 + def get_methods(cls) -> list[str]:

437 + return ["GET", "POST"]

438 +

439 + async def process(self, input: dict, request: Request) -> dict:

440 + param = input.get("param", "default")

441 +

442 + # Get or create agent context

443 + ctxid = input.get("context", "")

444 + context = self.use_context(ctxid)

445 +

446 + return {

447 + "result": f"processed {param}",

448 + "context": context.id,

449 + }

450 +```

451 +

452 +---

453 +

454 +## Creating Agent Profiles

455 +

456 +Agent profiles define specialized subordinates with custom prompts and behaviors.

457 +

458 +### Profile Directory Structure

459 +

460 +```

461 +agents/<profile-name>/

462 ++-- agent.yaml # Required: profile metadata

463 ++-- prompts/ # Optional: prompt overrides

464 +| +-- agent.system.main.role.md # Role definition (most common override)

465 +| +-- agent.system.main.communication.md # Communication style

466 +| +-- agent.system.tool.<name>.md # Tool-specific prompts

467 ++-- tools/ # Optional: profile-specific tools

468 +| +-- my_tool.py

469 ++-- extensions/ # Optional: profile-specific extensions

470 + +-- <hook_point>/

471 + +-- _NN_extension.py

472 +```

473 +

474 +### agent.yaml Format

475 +

476 +The actual format is simple YAML with only three fields:

477 +

478 +```yaml

479 +title: Developer

480 +description: Agent specialized in complex software development.

481 +context: Use this agent for software development tasks, including writing code,

482 + debugging, refactoring, and architectural design.

483 +```

484 +

485 +| Field | Purpose |

486 +|---|---|

487 +| `title` | Display name shown in UI and agent selection |

488 +| `description` | Brief description of the agent's specialization |

489 +| `context` | Instructions for when to delegate to this profile |

490 +

491 +> [!NOTE]

492 +> There is **no** per-profile model configuration, temperature, or allowed_tools in the profile YAML. Model configuration is managed by the `_model_config` plugin. Tool availability is controlled by plugin activation.

493 +

494 +### Where Profiles Live

495 +

496 +| Location | Purpose |

497 +|---|---|

498 +| `/a0/agents/` | Core profiles (default, agent0, developer, hacker, researcher) |

499 +| `/a0/usr/agents/` | User-created profiles (survives updates) |

500 +

501 +### Prompt Override Mechanism

502 +

503 +Profiles inherit all prompts from the `default/` profile. To customize behavior, place prompt files with the **same name** in your profile's `prompts/` directory. The framework searches profile-specific prompts first, then falls back to the default.

504 +

505 +The most common override is `agent.system.main.role.md` which defines the agent's role and specialization.

506 +

507 +### Example: Creating a Profile

508 +

509 +```yaml

510 +# /a0/usr/agents/data-analyst/agent.yaml

511 +title: Data Analyst

512 +description: Agent specialized in data analysis, visualization, and statistical modeling.

513 +context: Use this agent for data analysis tasks, creating visualizations, statistical

514 + analysis, and working with datasets in Python.

515 +```

516 +

517 +```markdown

518 +

519 +

520 +## Your role

521 +You are a specialized data analysis agent.

522 +Your expertise includes:

523 +- Python data analysis (pandas, numpy, scipy)

524 +- Data visualization (matplotlib, seaborn, plotly)

525 +- Statistical modeling and hypothesis testing

526 +- SQL queries and database analysis

527 +- Data cleaning and preprocessing

528 +

529 +## Process

530 +1. Understand the data and the question

531 +2. Choose appropriate tools and methods

532 +3. Execute analysis with code_execution_tool

533 +4. Visualize results when applicable

534 +5. Provide clear interpretation of findings

535 +```

536 +

537 +### Reference: The `_example` Profile

538 +

539 +The framework includes a complete example profile at `/a0/agents/_example/` that demonstrates:

540 +- Custom tool: `/a0/agents/_example/tools/example_tool.py`

541 +- Custom extension: `/a0/agents/_example/extensions/agent_init/_10_example_extension.py`

542 +- Tool prompt: `/a0/agents/_example/prompts/agent.system.tool.example_tool.md`

543 +- Role prompt: `/a0/agents/_example/prompts/agent.system.main.role.md`

544 +

545 +---

546 +

547 +## Prompt System

548 +

549 +Agent Zero assembles system prompts from **named fragments** using includes and variable substitution.

550 +

551 +### Prompt File Naming Convention

552 +

553 +Prompt files follow a dot-separated naming scheme:

554 +

555 +```

556 +agent.system.main.md # Main system prompt (entry point)

557 +agent.system.main.role.md # Role definition

558 +agent.system.main.communication.md # Communication style

559 +agent.system.tool.<name>.md # Tool usage instructions

560 +agent.system.tools.md # Tools overview

561 +agent.system.projects.main.md # Project system

562 +agent.system.secrets.md # Secret handling

563 +agent.system.skills.md # Skills listing

564 +agent.system.datetime.md # Current date/time

565 +agent.context.extras.md # Context extras

566 +fw.*.md # Framework messages (errors, hints, etc.)

567 +```

568 +

569 +### Where Prompts Live

570 +

571 +| Location | Priority | Purpose |

572 +|---|---|---|

573 +| `/a0/agents/<profile>/prompts/` | Highest | Profile-specific overrides |

574 +| `/a0/usr/agents/<profile>/prompts/` | High | User profile overrides |

575 +| `/a0/plugins/<plugin>/prompts/` | Normal | Plugin-provided prompts |

576 +| `/a0/usr/plugins/<plugin>/prompts/` | Normal | User plugin prompts |

577 +| `/a0/prompts/` | Base | Core framework prompts |

578 +

579 +The framework searches directories in priority order and uses the **first match** found.

580 +

581 +### Include Mechanism

582 +

583 +Prompts can include other fragments using double-brace `include` directives.

584 +

585 +The syntax uses opening double-brace, the keyword, and closing double-brace:

586 +

587 +| Directive | Purpose |

588 +|---|---|

589 +| `{{include "agent.system.main.role.md"}}` | Include a named prompt fragment |

590 +| `{{include "agent.system.main.communication.md"}}` | Include another fragment |

591 +| `{{include original}}` | Include the same file from the next lower-priority directory |

592 +

593 +The `include original` directive is particularly useful for **extending** rather than fully **replacing** a prompt — your override can include the base version and add to it.

594 +

595 +### Variable Substitution

596 +

597 +Prompts support `{{variable_name}}` placeholders that are replaced at render time with values passed from the framework or plugin configuration.

598 +

599 +### Conditional Blocks

600 +

601 +Prompts support conditional rendering based on variables.

602 +

603 +### Reading Prompts in Code

604 +

605 +```python

606 +# From within an Agent method:

607 +content = self.read_prompt("fw.some_message.md", variable1="value1")

608 +

609 +# From helpers:

610 +from helpers.files import read_prompt_file

611 +content = read_prompt_file("template.md", _directories=[...], var="value")

612 +```

613 +

614 +---

615 +

616 +## Creating Skills

617 +

618 +Skills are reusable instruction bundles that the agent loads on demand via the `skills_tool`. Each skill lives in a directory containing a `SKILL.md` file with YAML frontmatter.

619 +

620 +| Location | Purpose |

621 +|---|---|

622 +| `/a0/skills/` | Core skills (shipped with framework) |

623 +| `/a0/usr/skills/` | User-created skills (survives updates) |

624 +

625 +The agent interacts with skills through JSON tool calls:

626 +

627 +```json

628 +{"tool_name": "skills_tool:list", "tool_args": {}}

629 +{"tool_name": "skills_tool:load", "tool_args": {"skill_name": "my-skill"}}

630 +```

631 +

632 +> For the complete skill creation wizard — including SKILL.md format, frontmatter fields, directory structure, best practices, and examples — load the `create-skill` skill.

633 +

634 +---

635 +

636 +## Working with Projects

637 +

638 +Projects provide isolated workspaces with custom configuration.

639 +

640 +> Projects are typically created and managed via the Web UI. The `.a0proj/` directory and `project.json` are auto-generated when you create a project through the UI.

641 +

642 +### Project Structure

643 +

644 +```

645 +/a0/usr/projects/<project-name>/

646 ++-- .a0proj/

647 +| +-- project.json # Project configuration

648 +| +-- agents.json # Per-project agent overrides

649 +| +-- variables.env # Non-sensitive variables

650 +| +-- secrets.env # Encrypted secrets

651 +| +-- memory/ # Project-specific memory

652 +| +-- index.faiss

653 +| +-- index.pkl

654 +| +-- embedding.json

655 ++-- <project-files>/ # Your project files (working directory)

656 +```

657 +

658 +### project.json Format

659 +

660 +```json

661 +{

662 + "title": "My Project",

663 + "description": "Project description",

664 + "instructions": "Markdown instructions for the agent when this project is active",

665 + "color": "#3a86ff",

666 + "git_url": "",

667 + "memory": "own",

668 + "file_structure": {

669 + "enabled": true,

670 + "max_depth": 5,

671 + "max_files": 20,

672 + "max_folders": 20,

673 + "max_lines": 250,

674 + "gitignore": ".a0proj/\nvenv/\n**/__pycache__/\n**/node_modules/\n**/.git/\n"

675 + }

676 +}

677 +```

678 +

679 +| Field | Purpose |

680 +|---|---|

681 +| `title` | Display name |

682 +| `description` | Brief description |

683 +| `instructions` | Markdown injected into agent system prompt when project is active |

684 +| `color` | UI accent color (hex) |

685 +| `git_url` | Optional Git repository URL |

686 +| `memory` | `"own"` for project-specific memory, or shared |

687 +| `file_structure` | Controls the working directory tree shown to the agent |

688 +

689 +---

690 +

691 +## Plugin System Overview

692 +

693 +Plugins are the **primary extension mechanism** in Agent Zero. A plugin can bundle tools, extensions, prompts, API endpoints, helpers, and UI components into a self-contained package.

694 +

695 +> For all plugin tasks — creating, reviewing, managing, contributing, or debugging plugins — load the `a0-plugin-router` skill, which routes to the appropriate specialist skill.

696 +

697 +### Core Plugins

698 +

699 +The framework ships with these core plugins in `/a0/plugins/`:

700 +

701 +| Plugin | Purpose |

702 +|---|---|

703 +| `_code_execution` | Terminal, Python, Node.js code execution |

704 +| `_memory` | Persistent vector memory system |

705 +| `_text_editor` | File read/write/patch with line numbers |

706 +| `_model_config` | LLM model selection and configuration |

707 +| `_browser_agent` | Browser automation and web interaction |

708 +| `_infection_check` | Prompt injection safety checks |

709 +| `_error_retry` | Retry on critical exceptions |

710 +| `_email_integration` | Email communication via IMAP/SMTP |

711 +| `_telegram_integration` | Telegram bot integration |

712 +| `_chat_branching` | Branch chats from any message |

713 +| `_promptinclude` | Persistent behavioral rules (*.promptinclude.md) |

714 +| `_plugin_installer` | Install plugins from ZIP/Git/Hub |

715 +| `_plugin_scan` | Security scanning for plugins |

716 +| `_plugin_validator` | Plugin manifest and code validation |

717 +

718 +---

719 +

720 +## Common Patterns Reference

721 +

722 +### Accessing Agent Context

723 +

724 +```python

725 +# Shared across all agents in a conversation

726 +context = self.agent.context

727 +data = context.data # dict-like shared state

728 +

729 +# Store data

730 +data["my_key"] = my_value

731 +

732 +# Retrieve data

733 +value = data.get("my_key", default)

734 +```

735 +

736 +### Using File Helpers

737 +

738 +```python

739 +from helpers import files

740 +

741 +# File operations

742 +content = files.read_file("path/to/file")

743 +files.write_file("path/to/file", content)

744 +exists = files.exists("path/to/file")

745 +

746 +# Read and render a prompt file

747 +content = files.read_prompt_file("template.md", _directories=[...], var="value")

748 +```

749 +

750 +### Console Output

751 +

752 +```python

753 +from helpers.print_style import PrintStyle

754 +

755 +PrintStyle.hint("Informational message")

756 +PrintStyle.warning("Warning message")

757 +PrintStyle.error("Error message")

758 +PrintStyle(font_color="#85C1E9").print("Custom styled output")

759 +```

760 +

761 +### Error Handling

762 +

763 +```python

764 +from helpers.tool import Response

765 +

766 +try:

767 + result = await risky_operation()

768 +except Exception as e:

769 + PrintStyle.error(f"Operation failed: {e}")

770 + return Response(message=f"Error: {e}", break_loop=False)

771 +```

772 +

773 +---

774 +

775 +## Development Workflow

776 +

777 +When building features for Agent Zero:

778 +

779 +### 1. Choose Your Extension Point

780 +

781 +| Want to... | Use |

782 +|---|---|

783 +| Add a new agent capability | **Tool** (in a plugin) |

784 +| Hook into agent lifecycle | **Extension** (in a plugin) |

785 +| Add Web UI functionality | **API endpoint** + **WebUI extension** |

786 +| Create a specialized agent | **Agent profile** |

787 +| Bundle reusable instructions | **Skill** |

788 +| Package everything together | **Plugin** (recommended) |

789 +

790 +### 2. Develop in User Space

791 +

792 +- New plugins -> `/a0/usr/plugins/<name>/`

793 +- New profiles -> `/a0/usr/agents/<name>/`

794 +- New skills -> `/a0/usr/skills/<name>/`

795 +- New extensions -> `/a0/usr/extensions/python/<hook_point>/`

796 +

797 +### 3. Test and Iterate

798 +

799 +- **Local dev**: Run `python run_ui.py` (default port 50001 at `http://localhost:50001`)

800 +- **Docker**: Restart the container or use the UI restart button; check logs with `docker logs -f <container_name>`

801 +- Test with minimal input first

802 +- Verify in the Web UI

803 +

804 +### 4. Contributing

805 +

806 +For contribution guidelines, see `/a0/docs/contribution.md`. For plugin contributions to the community Plugin Index, load the `a0-contribute-plugin` skill.

807 +

808 +---

809 +

810 +## Best Practices

811 +

812 +### DO

813 +- Use the **plugin system** for new features (see `a0-create-plugin` skill)

814 +- Follow existing code patterns and conventions

815 +- Write clear docstrings and comments

816 +- Handle errors gracefully in tools and extensions

817 +- Create prompt fragments for every tool (`agent.system.tool.<name>.md`)

818 +- Develop in `/a0/usr/` directories to survive updates

819 +- Test with the `_example` profile as a reference

820 +- Use `from helpers.*` imports (not `from python.helpers.*`)

821 +

822 +### DON'T

823 +- Modify files in `/a0/plugins/` or `/a0/tools/` directly (use usr/ space)

824 +- Hardcode paths or configuration values

825 +- Skip creating prompt files for tools

826 +- Ignore the plugin system (it's the intended extension mechanism)

827 +- Mix sync and async code carelessly

828 +- Access internal structures when helpers exist

829 +

830 +---

831 +

832 +## Quick Reference: Key Files

833 +

834 +| File | Purpose |

835 +|---|---|

836 +| `/a0/agent.py` | Core `Agent`, `AgentContext`, `AgentConfig` classes |

837 +| `/a0/helpers/tool.py` | `Tool` + `Response` base classes |

838 +| `/a0/helpers/extension.py` | `Extension` base + `@extensible` decorator |

839 +| `/a0/helpers/api.py` | `ApiHandler` base class |

840 +| `/a0/helpers/files.py` | File ops + prompt reading |

841 +| `/a0/helpers/plugins.py` | Plugin system manager |

842 +| `/a0/helpers/print_style.py` | Console output formatting |

843 +| `/a0/agents/_example/` | Reference example profile with tool + extension |

844 +| `/a0/prompts/agent.system.main.md` | Main system prompt entry point |

\ No newline at end of file

chore: add updated a0-development skill