OpenAI Agents SDK.
OpenAI's first-party agent framework — replaces the Assistants API and Swarm.
What it is.
OpenAI's official Python and JavaScript SDK for agent development. Shipped in March 2025 as the successor to both the Assistants API and the experimental Swarm framework. Ships with handoffs, guardrails, sessions, and built-in tracing through the OpenAI dashboard. The first-party path for teams building on GPT models.
Where it fits.
Single-vendor OpenAI stacks where the team wants minimal abstraction overhead. The Agents SDK replaces the case for LangChain or AutoGen when the buyer is already locked to OpenAI for models, embeddings, and Realtime voice. Multi-vendor builds remain on LangChain.
- First-party — fastest access to new OpenAI primitives
- MIT licensed Python and JavaScript
- Built-in tracing and evals through OpenAI dashboard
- Optimised for OpenAI models — other providers are second-class
- Younger ecosystem than LangChain or AutoGen
Frequently asked.
What replaced the Assistants API?
The Agents SDK. OpenAI deprecated Assistants in March 2025 and migrated all primitives — threads, tools, retrieval — into the new SDK.
Does the Agents SDK work with non-OpenAI models?
Yes through any OpenAI-compatible endpoint, including Anthropic and Google via gateway. Native OpenAI models remain the fastest path.
How does it compare to Swarm?
The Agents SDK is the production successor to Swarm. Same handoff pattern, plus guardrails, sessions, tracing, and official support.
