Agent SDK overview - Claude Code Docs (original) (raw)
Build AI agents that autonomously read files, run commands, search the web, edit code, and more. The Agent SDK gives you the same tools, agent loop, and context management that power Claude Code, programmable in Python and TypeScript.
The Agent SDK includes built-in tools for reading files, running commands, and editing code, so your agent can start working immediately without you implementing tool execution. Dive into the quickstart or explore real agents built with the SDK:
Get started
Ready to build? Follow the Quickstart to create an agent that finds and fixes bugs in minutes.
Capabilities
Everything that makes Claude Code powerful is available in the SDK:
Claude Code features
The SDK also supports Claude Code’s filesystem-based configuration. With default options the SDK loads these from .claude/ in your working directory and ~/.claude/. To restrict which sources load, set setting_sources (Python) or settingSources (TypeScript) in your options.
| Feature | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Skills | Specialized capabilities Claude uses automatically or you invoke with /name | .claude/skills/*/SKILL.md |
| Commands | Custom commands in the legacy format. Use skills for new custom commands | .claude/commands/*.md |
| Memory | Project context and instructions | CLAUDE.md or .claude/CLAUDE.md |
| Plugins | Extend with skills, agents, hooks, and MCP servers | Programmatic via plugins option |
The Claude Platform offers multiple ways to build with Claude. Here’s how the Agent SDK fits in:
- Agent SDK vs Client SDK
- Agent SDK vs Claude Code CLI
- Agent SDK vs Managed Agents
The Anthropic Client SDK gives you direct API access: you send prompts and implement tool execution yourself. The Agent SDK gives you Claude with built-in tool execution.With the Client SDK, you implement a tool loop. With the Agent SDK, Claude handles it:
Same capabilities, different interface:
| Use case | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Interactive development | CLI |
| CI/CD pipelines | SDK |
| Custom applications | SDK |
| One-off tasks | CLI |
| Production automation | SDK |
Many teams use both: CLI for daily development, SDK for production. Workflows translate directly between them.
Managed Agents is a hosted REST API: Anthropic runs the agent and the sandbox, and your application sends events and streams back results. The Agent SDK is a library that runs the agent loop inside your own process.
| Agent SDK | Managed Agents | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs in | Your process, your infrastructure | Anthropic-managed infrastructure |
| Interface | Python or TypeScript library | REST API |
| Agent works on | Files on your infrastructure | A managed sandbox per session |
| Session state | JSONL on your filesystem | Anthropic-hosted event log |
| Custom tools | In-process Python or TypeScript functions | Claude triggers the tool; you execute and return results |
| Best for | Local prototyping, agents that work directly on your filesystem and services | Production agents without operating sandbox or session infrastructure, long-running and asynchronous sessions |
A common path is to prototype with the Agent SDK locally, then move to Managed Agents for production.
Changelog
View the full changelog for SDK updates, bug fixes, and new features:
- TypeScript SDK: view CHANGELOG.md
- Python SDK: view CHANGELOG.md
Reporting bugs
If you encounter bugs or issues with the Agent SDK:
- TypeScript SDK: report issues on GitHub
- Python SDK: report issues on GitHub
Branding guidelines
For partners integrating the Claude Agent SDK, use of Claude branding is optional. When referencing Claude in your product: Allowed:
- “Claude Agent” (preferred for dropdown menus)
- “Claude” (when within a menu already labeled “Agents”)
- ” Powered by Claude” (if you have an existing agent name)
Not permitted:
- “Claude Code” or “Claude Code Agent”
- Claude Code-branded ASCII art or visual elements that mimic Claude Code
Your product should maintain its own branding and not appear to be Claude Code or any Anthropic product. For questions about branding compliance, contact the Anthropic sales team.
License and terms
Use of the Claude Agent SDK is governed by Anthropic’s Commercial Terms of Service, including when you use it to power products and services that you make available to your own customers and end users, except to the extent a specific component or dependency is covered by a different license as indicated in that component’s LICENSE file.