Autonomous Looper with Tools

The selected_tools parameter allows you to configure which tools are available to the agent when using the autonomous looper mode (max_loops="auto").

Overview

When an agent is set to max_loops="auto", it enters autonomous loop mode where it can:

Create a plan by breaking down tasks into subtasks
Execute each subtask using available tools
Generate a comprehensive summary when complete

The selected_tools parameter gives you fine-grained control over which tools the agent can use during this autonomous execution. By default, all tools are enabled (selected_tools="all").

Available Tools

Tool Name	Description
`create_plan`	Create a detailed plan for completing a task
`think`	Analyze current situation and decide next actions
`subtask_done`	Mark a subtask as completed and move to the next task
`complete_task`	Mark the main task as complete with comprehensive summary
`respond_to_user`	Send messages or responses to the user
`create_file`	Create a new file with specified content
`update_file`	Update an existing file (replace or append)
`read_file`	Read the contents of a file
`list_directory`	List files and directories in a path
`delete_file`	Delete a file (use with caution)
`run_bash`	Execute bash/shell commands on the terminal (returns stdout/stderr)
`create_sub_agent`	Create specialized sub-agents for delegation
`assign_task`	Assign tasks to sub-agents for asynchronous execution

Usage

Default Behavior (All Tools Available)

from swarms import Agent

agent = Agent(
    agent_name="Full-Access-Agent",
    model_name="anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5",
    max_loops="auto",
    selected_tools="all",  # Default - all tools available
)

Restricted Tools

agent = Agent(
    agent_name="Planning-Only-Agent",
    model_name="anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5",
    max_loops="auto",
    selected_tools=[
        "create_plan",
        "think",
        "subtask_done",
        "complete_task",
        "respond_to_user",
    ],
)

File Operations Enabled

agent = Agent(
    agent_name="File-Operations-Agent",
    model_name="anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5",
    max_loops="auto",
    selected_tools=[
        "create_plan",
        "think",
        "subtask_done",
        "complete_task",
        "respond_to_user",
        "create_file",
        "update_file",
        "read_file",
        "list_directory",
    ],
)

File Operations + Terminal (run_bash)

Enable file operations and terminal command execution:

agent = Agent(
    agent_name="File-and-Terminal-Agent",
    model_name="anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5",
    max_loops="auto",
    selected_tools=[
        "create_plan",
        "think",
        "subtask_done",
        "complete_task",
        "respond_to_user",
        "create_file",
        "update_file",
        "read_file",
        "list_directory",
        "run_bash",
    ],
)

Minimal Configuration

agent = Agent(
    agent_name="Minimal-Agent",
    model_name="anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5",
    max_loops="auto",
    selected_tools=[
        "create_plan",
        "subtask_done",
        "complete_task",
    ],
)

Use Cases

Research Agent (No File Operations)

For agents focused on research and analysis without needing to create or modify files:

research_agent = Agent(
    agent_name="Research-Agent",
    max_loops="auto",
    selected_tools=[
        "create_plan",
        "think",
        "subtask_done",
        "complete_task",
        "respond_to_user",
    ],
)

Code Generation Agent (With File Operations)

For agents that need to create and modify code files:

code_agent = Agent(
    agent_name="Code-Generator",
    max_loops="auto",
    selected_tools=[
        "create_plan",
        "think",
        "subtask_done",
        "complete_task",
        "respond_to_user",
        "create_file",
        "update_file",
        "read_file",
        "list_directory",
    ],
)

Data Analysis Agent (Read-Only Files)

For agents that need to read files but shouldn’t modify them:

analysis_agent = Agent(
    agent_name="Data-Analyst",
    max_loops="auto",
    selected_tools=[
        "create_plan",
        "think",
        "subtask_done",
        "complete_task",
        "respond_to_user",
        "read_file",
        "list_directory",
    ],
)

Terminal / DevOps Agent (With run_bash)

For agents that need to run shell commands (e.g. scripts, CLI tools, git):

terminal_agent = Agent(
    agent_name="Terminal-Agent",
    max_loops="auto",
    selected_tools=[
        "create_plan",
        "think",
        "subtask_done",
        "complete_task",
        "respond_to_user",
        "read_file",
        "list_directory",
        "run_bash",
    ],
)

See Run Bash Tool Tutorial for a step-by-step guide.

Best Practices

Start Restrictive: Begin with a minimal set of tools and add more as needed
Security: Avoid giving file deletion capabilities unless absolutely necessary
Task Alignment: Choose tools that align with the agent’s primary purpose
Testing: Test your agent with the tool configuration before production use

Notes

selected_tools defaults to "all", which enables all tools
When set to a list, the agent will only have access to the tools you specify
Tool handlers are automatically filtered based on your configuration
Invalid tool names are ignored (only valid tool names from the list above are used)

Index

Basic Examples

Model Providers

Single Agent

Multi-Agent Examples

Applications

Research

Technical Analysis

Use Cases

Finance

Voice Agents

Integrations

Deployment

CLI

Autonomous Looper with Tools

Overview

Available Tools

Usage

Default Behavior (All Tools Available)

Restricted Tools

File Operations Enabled

File Operations + Terminal (run_bash)

Minimal Configuration

Use Cases

Research Agent (No File Operations)

Code Generation Agent (With File Operations)

Data Analysis Agent (Read-Only Files)

Terminal / DevOps Agent (With run_bash)

Best Practices

Notes

See Also

​Overview

​Available Tools

​Usage

​Default Behavior (All Tools Available)

​Restricted Tools

​File Operations Enabled

​File Operations + Terminal (run_bash)

​Minimal Configuration

​Use Cases

​Research Agent (No File Operations)

​Code Generation Agent (With File Operations)

​Data Analysis Agent (Read-Only Files)

​Terminal / DevOps Agent (With run_bash)

​Best Practices

​Notes

​See Also

Overview

Available Tools

Usage

Default Behavior (All Tools Available)

Restricted Tools

File Operations Enabled

File Operations + Terminal (run_bash)

Minimal Configuration

Use Cases

Research Agent (No File Operations)

Code Generation Agent (With File Operations)

Data Analysis Agent (Read-Only Files)

Terminal / DevOps Agent (With run_bash)

Best Practices

Notes

See Also