Course

16 chapters from a single agent loop to a complete orchestration system.

Part I: Core Agent

Minimal LoopThe minimal agent kernel is a while loop + one tool call Tool RegistryNew tools register into a dispatch map with structured outputs PlannerAn agent without a plan drifts; list the steps first, then execute MemoryContext will fill up; compression strategies enable longer sessions

Part II: Execution Lanes

Patch EngineApply changes safely with structured diffs and patches ApprovalsNot every tool call should run unchecked; add policy gates WorktreeEach task gets its own directory; isolation prevents cross-contamination Exec LanesThree runtime modes with different isolation and cost tradeoffs

Part III: Orchestration

SupervisorOne agent plans, others execute; the supervisor-worker pattern SchedulingRun tasks concurrently with dependency-aware scheduling Review QueueSome outputs need human approval before proceeding HandoffTransfer context between agents and across sessions

Part IV: Workflow Layers

SkillsInject domain knowledge via tool_result, not system prompt AutomationsRun workflows in the background without blocking the main loop

Part V: Capstone

AssemblyBring all components together into a complete orchestration system ObservabilityMake the system visible, debuggable, and resilient