Semantic Kernel (Python)

Microsoft’s enterprise SDK for integrating LLMs with plugins, planners, and vector stores. Deep Azure AI integration, MCP client/server, A2A protocol, and bridges into the newer Microsoft Agent Framework.

Install

pip install semantic-kernel

Version

v1.41.3 · April 2026 · Python 3.10+

Best for

Azure-native enterprise agents, plugin-based architectures, Microsoft 365 integrations.

Agent Framework or Semantic Kernel?

Microsoft Agent Framework unifies SK + AutoGen. For new projects, consider Agent Framework. Semantic Kernel remains fully supported and has rich plugin/planner ecosystem.

Zero → Hero

1 · Installation & setup Install, auth, first kernel · 15 min

2 · Kernel initialization Kernel builder, services · 15 min

3 · Service configuration OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, HF · 15 min

4 · Semantic functions Prompt-based functions · 20 min

5 · Native functions Python-based functions · 15 min

6 · Plugin development Custom plugins · 20 min

7 · Simple agents ChatCompletionAgent · 15 min

8 · Memory systems Short-term, long-term · 15 min

9 · Vector store v1.34 New vector store API · 20 min

10 · Planners Sequential, Stepwise, Action · 25 min

11 · MCP integration Client + server (2025) · 25 min

12 · A2A protocol Google A2A integration · 20 min

13 · Agent Framework bridge SK ↔ Agent Framework · 15 min

14 · Advanced multi-agent Complex topologies · 30 min

15 · Middleware Hooks, filters · 20 min

16 · Production Deployment, scaling · 30 min

Jump to a topic

Kernel initialization

Semantic functions

Plugin development

ChatCompletionAgent

Vector store v1.34

Sequential planner

Stepwise planner

MCP client

MCP server

A2A integration

Middleware

Streaming server

Reference

Comprehensive (Python) Single-page technical reference.

Advanced multi-agent

Middleware

Recipes

Diagrams

Production guide

Streaming server (FastAPI)

What’s new in v1.41.3 (April 2026)

• v1.41.3 (April 28) — Patch release; stability improvements.
• Vector store v1.34 — new API for embedding and retrieval.
• MCP client + server — full Model Context Protocol support.
• Google A2A protocol integration.
• Microsoft Agent Framework bridge for gradual migration.

Install, minimal example

import asyncio
from semantic_kernel import Kernel
from semantic_kernel.connectors.ai.open_ai import OpenAIChatCompletion
from semantic_kernel.agents import ChatCompletionAgent

async def main():
    kernel = Kernel()
    kernel.add_service(OpenAIChatCompletion(service_id="chat", ai_model_id="gpt-4o"))

    agent = ChatCompletionAgent(
        service_id="chat",
        kernel=kernel,
        name="Assistant",
        instructions="You are a helpful assistant.",
    )

    async for message in agent.invoke("What is 15 + 27?"):
        print(message.content)

asyncio.run(main())

Ready? Start Zero → Hero Step 1 →

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Revision history

Date	Framework version (installed)	Summary of changes	Reviewer
2026-04-28	semantic-kernel 1.41.3	Version bumped 1.41.2 → 1.41.3 (patch release); version card and “What’s new” heading updated. PyPI confirms 1.41.3 as latest stable.	Claude routine
2026-04-22	semantic-kernel 1.41.2	Version card corrected from stale v1.36.0 to v1.41.2 (confirmed against PyPI); frameworks.ts updated from Python 1.36.0 to Python 1.41.2.	Claude routine
2026-04-21	semantic-kernel 1.41.2	Index redesigned with Zero → Hero + Jump-to-topic grid.	—
April 2026	semantic-kernel 1.41.2	Vector store v1.34; MCP; A2A; Agent Framework bridge.	—

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