Free Training Course

Master OpenAI Agent Builder

Build powerful AI workflows without code. Learn from OpenAI experts and transform your business processes.

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5:29
Video Duration
14
Interactive Sections
16
Quiz Questions

Video Overview

Introduction to Agent Builder by Christina Huang from OpenAI

Instructor: Christina Huang, OpenAI
Duration: 5:29 minutes
Views: 1.4M+
Likes: 38.8K+
🎨

Visual Workflow Builder

Drag-and-drop nodes to create complex AI workflows without writing any code

🚀

Deploy Instantly

Export as code or deploy directly with ChatKit integration for immediate use

🧪

Built-in Testing

Evaluate and test your agents with built-in evaluation tools before deployment

What You'll Learn

Master these essential Agent Builder concepts and techniques

📐

Workflow Design

Learn to create agent workflows using start nodes, variables, and state management

🤖

Agent Creation

Build specialized agents for different tasks and configure their behaviors

🔀

Conditional Logic

Implement routing and branching with classifier agents and if-else nodes

🌐

Tool Integration

Connect web search, APIs, and custom tools to enhance agent capabilities

🎨

Custom Widgets

Design rich, interactive output formats using Widget Studio

🚀

Deployment

Publish agents using SDK or ChatKit for production use

Interactive Video Timeline

Click any timestamp to jump to that section in the video

0:00

Introduction to Agent Builder

Overview of Agent Builder as a visual tool for creating AI workflows

0:44

Starting in OpenAI Platform

Navigate to Agent Builder in the OpenAI platform

0:47

Start Node and Variables

Setting up input variables and state variables

0:57

Creating Classifier Agent

Build an agent to route between different workflows

1:41

Adding If-Else Conditional Node

Implement conditional branching based on classification

2:01

Building Flight Agent

Create a specialized agent with web search capabilities

2:32

Building Itinerary Agent

Add another specialized agent for travel planning

2:55

Testing with Itinerary Query

Run a test query and observe the workflow in action

3:20

Widget Studio

Introduction to creating custom output widgets

3:42

Adding Flight Widget

Upload and configure a custom widget for flight display

4:21

Testing with Flight Query

Test the enhanced agent with custom widget output

4:56

Publishing the Agent

Deploy your completed agent workflow

5:08

Deployment Options

Choose between SDK and ChatKit deployment methods

Tools & Features

Key tools and capabilities mentioned in the training

🎨

Agent Builder

Visual drag-and-drop interface for creating agentic workflows without code

Learn More →
📦

Start Node

Entry point for workflows where you define input and state variables

Documentation →
🤖

Agent Nodes

Specialized agents with custom instructions and tool access

Guide →
🔀

Conditional Nodes

If-else logic for branching workflows based on classification

Docs →
🌐

Web Search Tool

Built-in web search capability for up-to-date information retrieval

Announcement →
🎭

Widget Studio

Design custom output formats for rich, interactive agent responses

Access →
💬

ChatKit

Quick deployment option to integrate agents directly into products

Integration →
⚙️

Agents SDK

Export workflows as code for custom implementation and control

SDK Docs →

Why This Matters

The business impact of mastering Agent Builder

10x

Faster Development

Build AI workflows in minutes instead of weeks. No coding required means faster iteration and deployment.

80%

Cost Reduction

Reduce development costs by eliminating the need for specialized AI engineers for every automation.

24/7

Always Available

Deploy agents that work around the clock, handling customer queries and business processes continuously.

Transform Your Business Operations

Agent Builder democratizes AI development, enabling anyone in your organization to create powerful automation workflows. This means:

  • ✅ Marketing teams can build content generation agents
  • ✅ Sales teams can automate lead qualification and research
  • ✅ Operations can create scheduling and routing workflows
  • ✅ Customer support can deploy intelligent chatbots
  • ✅ HR can automate candidate screening and onboarding

How This Will Help Your SMB

Practical applications for your role

📊

Automate Reporting

Build agents that automatically gather data, analyze trends, and generate comprehensive reports for your stakeholders.

Example for your role:

Create an agent that pulls weekly metrics and generates formatted reports.

🔍

Intelligent Research

Deploy agents that conduct market research, competitor analysis, and information gathering automatically.

Example for your role:

Build an agent that monitors industry trends and summarizes key insights.

💬

Customer Engagement

Create conversational agents that handle customer inquiries, qualify leads, and provide 24/7 support.

Example for your role:

Deploy an agent that answers common questions and routes complex issues.

⚡

Workflow Automation

Design agents that handle repetitive tasks, coordinate between systems, and streamline operations.

Example for your role:

Create an agent that manages approval flows and updates multiple systems.

Top 10 High-Value Automations for Your Role

Based on your role at your company, here are your highest-ROI automation opportunities

⏱️
0
Hours Saved/Week
📅
0
Hours Saved/Month
💰
$0
Est. Annual Savings
🚀
2-4
Weeks to ROI
Total Automation Potential 0%
🤖
Analyzing...

Loading Your Personalized Automations

Complete the form above to see automations tailored to your specific role and company.

Ready to implement these automations? Start with the "Try It Out" section below to build your first agent!

Start Building →

Try It Out

Hands-on exercises to build your first agents

Beginner

Exercise 1: Build a Simple Classifier

Objective: Create a classifier agent that routes messages to different departments.

Steps:

  1. Go to Agent Builder
  2. Create a new workflow with a Start node
  3. Add an Agent node and name it "Department Classifier"
  4. Set the instruction: "Classify messages into: Sales, Support, or Billing"
  5. Configure JSON output with a "department" field
  6. Test with sample messages

For your role:

Adapt this to classify incoming requests relevant to your department.

Intermediate

Exercise 2: Add Conditional Routing

Objective: Extend the classifier with conditional branching and specialized agents.

Steps:

  1. Continue from Exercise 1
  2. Add an If-Else node after the classifier
  3. Create three separate agent nodes for each department
  4. Configure routing based on the classification result
  5. Give each agent specialized instructions
  6. Test the complete workflow

For your role:

Create routing logic specific to your workflow processes.

Advanced

Exercise 3: Add Web Search and Custom Widget

Objective: Create an agent with web search capability and custom output format.

Steps:

  1. Create a new workflow for research tasks
  2. Add an Agent node with web search tool enabled
  3. Go to Widget Studio and design a custom output card
  4. Download the widget template
  5. Upload to your agent's output format settings
  6. Test with research queries relevant to your work
  7. Publish and get your deployment URL

For your role:

Build a research agent tailored to your specific industry and tasks.

Knowledge Check

Test your understanding of Agent Builder concepts

Question 1 of 5

What is the primary purpose of a Start node in Agent Builder?

What is a classifier agent used for?

What is Widget Studio used for?

Which deployment option allows you to integrate agents directly into your product without managing code?

What tool enables agents to access up-to-date information from the internet?

Flashcard Master Quiz

Test your mastery with 16 interactive flashcards across 4 key areas

🎯 Fundamentals

1

What is Agent Builder?

Click to reveal answer

A visual, no-code tool for building AI workflows using drag-and-drop nodes

Click to see question
2

What is a Start node?

Click to reveal answer

The entry point where you define input variables and state variables

Click to see question
3

What are Agent nodes?

Click to reveal answer

Specialized AI components with custom instructions that perform specific tasks

Click to see question
4

What testing features does Agent Builder include?

Click to reveal answer

Built-in evaluation tools to test and understand agent performance

Click to see question

🔀 Workflow Design

5

What is a classifier agent?

Click to reveal answer

An agent that categorizes inputs to route them to different workflows

Click to see question
6

What is an if-else conditional node?

Click to reveal answer

A node that implements branching logic based on conditions

Click to see question
7

What output format did Christina use for the classifier?

Click to reveal answer

JSON format with defined properties and options

Click to see question
8

What are state variables?

Click to reveal answer

Variables that persist throughout the workflow execution

Click to see question

🛠️ Tools & Features

9

What is the web search tool?

Click to reveal answer

A built-in tool that provides real-time internet information

Click to see question
10

What is Widget Studio?

Click to reveal answer

A feature for designing custom, rich output formats for agent responses

Click to see question
11

What widget did Christina create in the demo?

Click to reveal answer

A flight information display widget with custom styling

Click to see question
12

What information did the flight widget display?

Click to reveal answer

Airport codes, destination, timing, time zones, and custom background colors

Click to see question

🚀 Deployment

13

What are the two deployment options?

Click to reveal answer

ChatKit (quick integration) and Agents SDK (code export)

Click to see question
14

What does ChatKit allow you to do?

Click to reveal answer

Drop agents directly into products without managing code

Click to see question
15

What does the Agents SDK provide?

Click to reveal answer

Export the workflow as code for custom implementation

Click to see question
16

What agent did Christina build in the demo?

Click to reveal answer

A travel agent that routes between itinerary planning and flight search

Click to see question

Cards Reviewed: 0 / 16

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Agent Builder

Do I need coding experience to use Agent Builder?

+

No! Agent Builder is designed as a no-code tool. You can create complex AI workflows using a visual drag-and-drop interface without writing any code. However, if you want to export and customize the code later, the Agents SDK provides that option.

What's the difference between ChatKit and the Agents SDK?

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ChatKit allows you to deploy agents directly into your product with minimal setup—just use the workflow ID. The Agents SDK exports your workflow as code, giving you full control to customize and integrate it however you want. Choose ChatKit for speed, SDK for flexibility.

Can I connect Agent Builder to external APIs and databases?

+

Yes! Agent Builder supports tool integration including web search (built-in), file search, and computer use capabilities. You can also create custom tools that connect to your APIs, databases, and other systems using the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

How do I test my agents before deploying them?

+

Agent Builder includes built-in evaluation tools. You can use the "Run Preview" feature to test your workflow with sample inputs, watch the execution flow through your nodes, and see the outputs in real-time. This helps you identify and fix issues before deployment.

What are Widget Studio and custom widgets?

+

Widget Studio lets you design custom output formats for your agents. Instead of plain text responses, you can create rich, interactive displays like cards, tables, charts, or custom layouts. Download widget templates and upload them to your agent's output format settings.

Can I create multiple specialized agents in one workflow?

+

Absolutely! This is one of Agent Builder's key strengths. Use a classifier agent to route inputs to different specialized agents. For example, Christina's demo had separate agents for flight search and itinerary planning, with a classifier routing between them.

How much does Agent Builder cost?

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Agent Builder is available through the OpenAI Platform. Pricing is based on API usage—you pay for the tokens used by your agents when they run. There's no separate fee for using Agent Builder itself. Check the OpenAI Platform pricing page for current rates.

Can I version control my workflows?

+

Yes, Agent Builder includes versioning capabilities. You can save different versions of your workflows, compare changes, and roll back to previous versions if needed. When you export via the SDK, you also get the code which can be tracked in your standard version control system.

What models can I use with Agent Builder?

+

Agent Builder supports various OpenAI models including GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, and GPT-3.5 Turbo. You can select different models for different agents in your workflow based on your needs for capability, speed, and cost.

How do I get started with Agent Builder?

+

Visit platform.openai.com/agent-builder and sign in with your OpenAI account. You can start with pre-built templates or create a workflow from scratch. Follow the "Try It Out" exercises on this page to build your first agents!

Additional Tips & Best Practices

Expert recommendations from OpenAI and the community

1

Start Simple, Then Iterate

Begin with a basic workflow and add complexity gradually. Test each component thoroughly before adding more nodes. This makes debugging easier and helps you understand how each piece works.

Source: OpenAI Practical Guide
2

Write Clear, Specific Instructions

Your agent instructions should be precise and unambiguous. Use examples in your prompts to show the agent exactly what you want. The clearer your instructions, the better your agent performs.

Source: OpenAI Developer Guide
3

Use JSON for Structured Outputs

When building classifier agents or agents that need to pass data between nodes, use JSON output format with clearly defined schemas. This ensures reliable data flow through your workflow.

From the video tutorial
4

Test Edge Cases Thoroughly

Don't just test the happy path. Try unusual inputs, edge cases, and potential failure scenarios. Agent Builder's preview feature makes this easy—use it extensively before deploying.

Source: Agent Builder Guide
5

Leverage Templates and Examples

Agent Builder provides templates for common use cases. Study these examples to understand best practices and design patterns. You can customize them for your specific needs.

Source: Agent Builder Platform
6

Monitor and Optimize Performance

After deployment, monitor your agent's performance metrics. Look at response times, accuracy, and user feedback. Use this data to refine your instructions and workflow design.

Source: OpenAI Best Practices
7

Plan Your Workflow Before Building

Sketch out your workflow logic on paper or whiteboard first. Identify the key decision points, data flow, and agent responsibilities. This planning phase saves time during implementation.

Source: MCP Integration Guide
8

Use Descriptive Node Names

Give your agents and nodes clear, descriptive names that explain their purpose. "Customer Support Classifier" is better than "Classifier 1". This makes workflows easier to understand and maintain.

Community best practice
9

Combine Tools Strategically

Web search, file search, and custom tools can be combined for powerful capabilities. Think about which tools each agent needs and enable only those—this improves focus and reduces costs.

Source: OpenAI Tools Announcement
10

Document Your Workflows

Add comments and documentation to your workflows explaining the logic, especially for complex branching or specialized agents. Your future self (and teammates) will thank you.

Source: Development Best Practices

Additional Resources

📄
A Practical Guide to Building Agents (PDF)

Comprehensive 32-page guide from OpenAI

 📚
Building Agents Learning Track

Official OpenAI developer documentation

 ⚙️
OpenAI Agents SDK Documentation

Python SDK reference and examples

 🚀
Agent Builder Platform

Start building your agents now

Visual Walkthrough

Key screenshots from the Agent Builder demo

Agent Builder Interface

Agent Builder Visual Interface

The drag-and-drop canvas where you create workflows by connecting nodes

Workflow Templates

Pre-built Templates

Start with templates or build your own workflows from scratch

Building Workflows

Creating Agent Workflows

Connect classifier agents, conditional nodes, and specialized agents

Node Configuration

Configuring Agent Nodes

Set instructions, tools, and output formats for each agent

Testing Workflows

Testing and Evaluation

Use Run Preview to test your workflows with sample inputs

Deployment Options

Publishing and Deployment

Deploy with ChatKit or export code using the Agents SDK

Ready to Build Your First Agent?

Watch the full video tutorial and start creating powerful AI workflows today

Watch Tutorial Open Agent Builder