name: deep-agents description: Build batteries-included agents with planning, context management, subagent delegation, and sandboxed execution. Use for complex, multi-step tasks that need built-in capabilities. license: MIT compatibility: Python 3.10+, Node.js 22+. Requires a model that supports tool calling. metadata: author: langchain-ai version: "1.0"
Deep Agents
Deep Agents is the easiest way to start building agents powered by LLMs—with built-in capabilities for task planning, file systems for context management, subagent delegation, and long-term memory. It is an "agent harness" built on LangChain core building blocks and the LangGraph runtime.
When to use
Use Deep Agents when you need to:
- Build agents fast with sensible defaults and minimal configuration
- Handle complex, multi-step tasks that benefit from automatic planning
- Manage context with a built-in virtual filesystem for large inputs
- Delegate subtasks to specialized subagents
- Run code safely in sandboxed execution environments
- Use a terminal agent via Deep Agents Code
When NOT to use
- For simple tool-calling agents without planning or subagents, use LangChain agents instead—lighter weight
- For custom graph-based orchestration with explicit control flow, use LangGraph directly
- Deep Agents is the highest-level abstraction—it trades flexibility for convenience
Install
# Python
pip install deepagents
# JavaScript/TypeScript
npm install deepagents langchain @langchain/core
Quick reference
Create a deep agent
# pip install deepagents langchain-anthropic
from deepagents import create_deep_agent
def get_weather(city: str) -> str:
"""Get weather for a given city."""
return f"It's always sunny in {city}!"
agent = create_deep_agent(
model="anthropic:claude-sonnet-4-6",
tools=[get_weather],
system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant",
)
result = agent.invoke(
{"messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "What is the weather in SF?"}]}
)
Use Deep Agents Code
# Install Deep Agents Code
pip install deepagents-code
# Run an interactive terminal agent
deepagents
Built-in capabilities
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| Planning | Automatic task decomposition for complex requests |
| File system | Virtual filesystem for reading, writing, and managing context |
| Subagents | Spawn child agents for parallel subtask execution |
| Context management | Automatic context compression for long conversations |
| Sandboxed execution | Run code in isolated environments (Modal, Runloop, Daytona) |
| Protocols | ACP, MCP, and A2A support for interoperability |
Key documentation
- Overview—What Deep Agents is and how it compares to LangChain and LangGraph
- Quickstart—Build your first deep agent
- Customization—Configure models, tools, and behavior
- Context engineering—Manage context for complex tasks
- Subagents—Delegate work to child agents
- Sandboxes—Run code in isolated environments
- Code—Deep Agents Code, the terminal agent interface
- Deploy—Deploy to production
API reference
For SDK class and method details, use the LangChain API Reference site:
- MCP server:
https://reference.langchain.com/mcp
Related skills
- langchain—Core building blocks that Deep Agents is built on
- langgraph—Runtime that powers Deep Agents' durable execution
- langsmith—Trace, evaluate, and deploy your deep agents