Microsoft Agent Framework

Unified SDK that consolidates Semantic Kernel’s plugin/tool system and AutoGen’s multi-agent orchestration. First-party service connectors, Azure-native observability, and A2A protocol support — across both .NET and Python. Core is stable (agent-framework 1.17.0 on Python, Microsoft.Agents.AI 1.1.0 on .NET); several provider packages are still in public beta (A2A, declarative, copilotstudio, bedrock, anthropic, ollama, orchestrations, redis, durabletask).

Status

Python 1.17.0 · .NET 1.1.0 stable · providers 1.0.0b260514 beta · August 2026

Languages

Python 3.10+ · .NET 8.0+

Best for

Azure-native agents, enterprise multi-agent orchestration, A2A.

Choose your language

🐍 Python agent-framework 1.17.0 · asyncio-first, Pydantic types, FastAPI integration.

C# .NET Microsoft.Agents.AI 1.1.0 · DI, ChatClientAgent, Azure RBAC, ASP.NET Core integration.

Cross-cutting protocol guides

These apply to both languages and cover protocols/features that span the framework.

A2A protocol Cross-framework agent interop — OpenAI SDK, Claude SDK, LangGraph, Google ADK.

Graph workflows & declarative agents Directed graphs, YAML/JSON agent configs, time-travel debugging.

Enterprise 2025 OpenTelemetry, Content Safety, Entra ID, HIPAA/GDPR/SOX/PCI configurations.

Comprehensive (language-agnostic) Architecture + concepts reference — applies to both Python and .NET.

Production (language-agnostic) Deployment strategies, cost optimisation, disaster recovery.

Diagrams Architecture + flow diagrams.

Recipes Copy-paste patterns for common scenarios.

Migration notice Preview → GA migration notes.

What’s new in GA 1.0 (April 2026)

• Stable APIs with LTS commitment — no more --prerelease flag.
• First-party service connectors via IChatClient: Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Amazon Bedrock, Google Gemini, Ollama.
• Unified orchestration — sequential, concurrent, handoff, group chat, and Magentic-One patterns built in.
• Azure App Service support for multi-agent deployment.
• A2A Protocol, Graph-based Workflows, Declarative YAML/JSON, OpenTelemetry — full enterprise feature set.

Migrating from Preview to GA

• ChatClientAgentOptions.Instructions removed — pass instructions directly to the ChatClientAgent constructor.
• Package names: agent-framework, agent-framework-core, agent-framework-openai (no preview suffix).
• Dependency floor: >=1.0.0,<2 — RC installs incompatible.
• From standalone Semantic Kernel or AutoGen? See the official migration guide (~2–4 hours).

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Revision history

Date	Version	Changes
2026-09-08	Py 1.17.0 / .NET 1.1.0	Consistency sweep. Status card corrected from a stale Core 1.4.0 to the versions the language guides actually document (agent-framework 1.17.0, Microsoft.Agents.AI 1.1.0); language cards now name their package and version. Table of contents on the language-neutral comprehensive guide trimmed to the sections that exist, with per-language pointers for the rest. No package installation or symbol verification performed.
2026-04-21	1.0.1	Parent index redesigned as language selector + cross-cutting guides.
April 10, 2026	1.0.1	Patch release.
April 3-7, 2026	1.0 GA	Graduated from Preview; first-party connectors; Azure App Service.
November 2025	1.0 Preview	Initial unified SDK.