Summary
A developer API for building AI agents that use tools and interact with software.
About
A developer platform for embedding tool-using AI agents into applications, with OpenAI supplying the underlying infrastructure. Its value depends on the fit of agent workflows to business processes and the maturity and availability of API features.
The OpenAI Agents API provides components for building agent workflows within applications. Its capabilities include tool search, tool calling, context compaction, and multi-agent coordination. OpenAI announced computer-use support at DevDay 2026, allowing agents built with the API to interact with software. OpenAI provides the underlying infrastructure, while development teams integrate and configure agent workflows for their applications. Availability and access to specific features may depend on the API release stage.
Key Features
Tool search for locating tools agents can use
Tool calling to connect agent workflows with software capabilities
Context compaction for managing agent context
Multi-agent capabilities for coordinating agent workflows
Announced computer-use support for interacting with software
Real-World Use Cases
Application workflow automation
Embed agents in an application to perform supported tasks through tool calls, subject to the application's integrations and controls.
Software interaction
Use computer-use support to enable agents to interact with software; suitability depends on feature availability and the reliability requirements of the workflow.
Multi-agent task coordination
Build workflows that divide or coordinate tasks across multiple agents using the API's multi-agent capabilities.
Business Opportunities
Embedded agent features for business applications
Problem: Application users may need to complete repetitive, multi-step tasks across supported tools and software.
Solution: Integrate API-based agents into an application to search for tools and invoke them as part of defined workflows.
Estimated ROI: Unknown without workflow-specific cost, adoption, and performance data. Potential value comes from reducing manual effort, but should be validated through a pilot.
Execution: Select a bounded workflow, connect only the required tools, and evaluate task completion, error handling, and human oversight before expanding deployment.
Software interaction automation
Problem: Some workflows involve actions in software that may not be covered by direct tool integrations.
Solution: Assess the announced computer-use capability for suitable software interaction tasks, subject to release-stage access and reliability testing.
Estimated ROI: Unknown. Benefits depend on task volume, reliability, implementation effort, and the availability of the relevant API features.
Execution: Identify low-risk, repeatable tasks; verify feature availability; test in a controlled environment; and retain human review for consequential actions.