"Roll for Initiative... in Python!"
Welcome, brave adventurer, to the ultimate Strands framework quest! This comprehensive workshop will transform you from a coding apprentice into a master of AI agent orchestration. Through five epic chapters, you'll learn to create, equip, and command digital companions that can think, act, and collaborate like a legendary adventuring party.
Your journey through the realms of AI agents is carefully structured as a progressive quest. Each chapter builds upon the previous one - complete them in order to unlock the full power of Strands!
Complete the prerequisites before going on an adventure!
Master the fundamental ritual of agent creation
- Learn what Strands is and how it works
- Summon your first AI companion
- Configure models and system prompts
- Understand the core concepts of agent development
Equip your agents with built-in magical tools
- Discover Strands' powerful built-in tool library
- Learn how agents autonomously choose and use tools
- Master web scraping and information gathering
- Understand tool consent and safety mechanisms
Forge your own custom tools and enchantments
- Transform Python functions into agent tools
- Create the legendary Dice of Destiny
- Master the
@tooldecorator and documentation - Build domain-specific capabilities
Connect to external realms through Model Context Protocol
- Build and deploy MCP servers
- Create MCP clients for agent integration
- Understand distributed tool architectures
- Master external service connections
Command multiple agents in perfect harmony
- Build a complete multi-agent D&D system
- Master Agent-to-Agent (A2A) communication
- Orchestrate specialized agents working together
- Create complex distributed AI applications
Before embarking on this legendary adventure, ensure you have:
- Python 3.10+ (your trusty spellcasting focus)
- Basic Python knowledge (at least Apprentice level)
- Text editor or IDE (your magical grimoire)
- Terminal/Command line familiarity
- A sense of adventure and willingness to experiment! 🎲
Step 1: Create Your Magical Environment
# Clone the workshop repository
git clone https://github.com/aws-samples/sample-once-upon-agentic-ai.git
cd sample-once-upon-agentic-ai
# Create and activate a virtual environment (highly recommended!)
uv venv
# Activate your environment
# On macOS/Linux:
source .venv/bin/activate
# On Windows:
.venv\Scripts\activateStep 2: Install the Required Enchantments
# Install all workshop dependencies and sync the environment
uv syncStep 3: Configure Your Model Provider (optional)
By default, Strands will use Claude 3.7 sonnet. If you want to change the model, create a .env file at the root of your project and set a MODEL_ID variable to your prefered model.
MODEL_ID=anthropic.claude-3-7-sonnet-20250219-v1:0- Start with Chapter 0 - Enable the required models to get started
- Progress through each chapter - Don't skip ahead, each chapter introduces essential concepts
- Complete all TODOs - Each chapter has guided exercises to master the concepts
- Test your creations - Run your agents and see them come to life
- Experiment and explore - Try variations and push the boundaries
Each chapter follows the same magical pattern:
- 📜 README Guide: Complete instructions and background lore
- 🎯 TODO Exercises: Hands-on coding challenges to complete
- 🧪 Testing Instructions: How to verify your magical creations work
- 🏆 Solution Reference: Complete working examples in the
solutions/folder
- 📚 Strands Documentation: Official Strands Docs
- 🔍 Solutions Folder: Reference implementations for each chapter
- 🎲 Experiment Freely: The best way to learn is by trying things!
Strands is a powerful framework for creating AI agents - think of it as your spellbook for summoning digital companions that can interact with tools and services. Like a well-equipped adventuring party, Strands provides:
- 🎭 Agent Creation: Easy summoning and configuration of AI companions
- ⚔️ Tool Integration: Built-in magical implements and custom enchantments
- 🔄 Model Flexibility: Support for multiple AI providers (different schools of magic)
- � eExternal Connections: Integration with services through MCP
- 🏰 Multi-Agent Systems: Coordinate multiple agents working together
- 🤖 Agent: A digital companion that can reason, decide, and use tools
- 🔧 Tools: Functions that agents can invoke to perform specific tasks
- 📋 System Prompt: The character sheet defining your agent's personality and behavior
- 🧠 Model Provider: The source of intelligence (GPT-4, Claude, etc.)
- 🌐 MCP: Model Context Protocol for connecting to external services
- 🏰 A2A: Agent-to-Agent communication for multi-agent systems
By completing this workshop, you'll master:
- ✅ Agent Fundamentals: Create, configure, and deploy AI agents
- ✅ Tool Mastery: Use built-in tools and create custom ones
- ✅ External Integration: Connect agents to external services via MCP
- ✅ Multi-Agent Systems: Build complex applications with multiple cooperating agents
- ✅ Real-World Applications: Create practical, production-ready agent systems
Your adventure awaits! Start with Chapter 0: An Unexpected Adventure and begin your transformation from coding apprentice to Agent Master.
- Strands Framework Documentation - Complete reference and guides
- Kiro Agentic IDE - Professional IDE for agent development
- Strands GitHub Repository - Source code and community
- Example Projects - Real-world implementations
Congratulations, brave adventurer! By completing this workshop, you've mastered the arcane arts of AI agent development. Your character sheet now includes:
✅ 🧙♂️ Agent Summoning - Create and customize digital companions
✅ ⚔️ Tool Mastery - Wield built-in tools and forge custom enchantments
✅ 🌐 Planar Magic - Connect to external realms through MCP
✅ 🏰 Multi-Agent Orchestration - Command entire fellowships of AI agents
✅ 🎲 D&D System Mastery - Build complete game management systems
You've earned the legendary title of "Agent Artificer" and are now ready to create your own AI-powered adventures!
The realms of possibility are endless! Consider these legendary quests:
- 🏢 Enterprise Applications: Build AI assistants for business workflows
- 🎮 Game Development: Create intelligent NPCs and game masters
- 🔬 Research Tools: Develop specialized agents for data analysis
- 🤖 Personal Assistants: Craft AI companions for daily tasks
- 🌐 Distributed Systems: Architect complex multi-agent networks
Remember, the most epic adventures are the ones you create yourself. Whether you're building the next great AI application or just exploring the boundaries of what's possible, you now have the tools and knowledge to make it happen.
May your agents be wise, your tools be sharp, and your code compile on the first try! 🎲✨
"The best way to predict the future is to build the agents that will create it." - Modern Developer Wisdom
Happy coding, Agent Master! 🐉⚔️🧙♂️