Overview
Agent handoffs enable seamless task delegation between agents in PraisonAI. When an agent encounters a task outside its expertise, it can dynamically hand off the conversation to a more suitable agent, ensuring optimal task completion.Quick Start
1
Install praisonaiagents
2
Import required components
3
Create agents with handoff capabilities
4
Use handoffs naturally in conversation
How Handoffs Work
1. Handoff Detection
Agents identify when they need to delegate based on:- Task complexity beyond their expertise
- Specific keywords or patterns in user requests
- Explicit handoff instructions in their role
2. Target Selection
The system selects the best agent using:- Predefined handoff targets in agent configuration
- Dynamic selection based on agent capabilities
- Custom selection logic via callbacks
3. Context Transfer
When handing off, the system:- Packages the entire conversation history
- Includes any relevant metadata
- Maintains user context and preferences
4. Seamless Continuation
The receiving agent:- Gets full context of the conversation
- Continues naturally without user intervention
- Can hand back or to another agent if needed
Basic Usage
Simple Handoff Configuration
Using the Handoff Tool
Advanced Usage
Custom Handoff Names
Handoff Callbacks
Structured Input with Pydantic
Handoff Filters
Control which agents can receive handoffs using filters:Integration Patterns
Multi-Agent Workflow with Handoffs
Conditional Handoffs
Best Practices
Clear Handoff Criteria
Define explicit criteria for when agents should handoff:
- Specific keywords or phrases
- Task complexity thresholds
- User requests for specialists
- Error or uncertainty conditions
Context Preservation
Ensure important context is maintained:
- Include conversation summary in handoffs
- Pass relevant user preferences
- Maintain task state and progress
- Include any gathered information
Prevent Loops
Avoid infinite handoff loops:
- Implement handoff history tracking
- Set maximum handoff limits
- Use handoff filters appropriately
- Design clear agent responsibilities
User Experience
Make handoffs seamless for users:
- Inform users about handoffs when appropriate
- Maintain conversation continuity
- Preserve user context and preferences
- Minimize repetition of information
Common Use Cases
Customer Support System
Specialized Department Routing
Language-Based Routing
API Reference
See the Handoff API documentation for detailed information about:- The
Handoffclass - The
handoff()function HandoffInputDatastructure- Built-in handoff filters
- Callback signatures
Troubleshooting
Common issues and solutions:Summary
Agent handoffs in PraisonAI enable:- ✅ Dynamic task delegation between specialized agents
- ✅ Seamless context preservation across transfers
- ✅ Flexible routing with filters and callbacks
- ✅ Building sophisticated multi-agent workflows

