Generated banner for Azure AI Agents Persistent Dotnet
Generated logo for Azure AI Agents Persistent Dotnet

Azure AI Agents Persistent Dotnet

MicrosoftOfficialCreated by Microsoft

  • Skill
  • Tool integration
  • Software development
  • MIT
  • No issues found

From the author

Azure AI Agents Persistent SDK for .NET. Low-level SDK for creating and managing AI agents with threads, messages, runs, and tools. Use for agent CRUD, conversation threads, streaming responses, function calling, file search, and code interpreter. Triggers: "PersistentAgentsClient", "persistent agents", "agent threads", "agent runs", "streaming agents", "function calling agents .NET".
— the description by Microsoft

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

The Azure AI Agents Persistent SDK for .NET provides a comprehensive interface for building and managing AI agents. It enables developers to handle the full lifecycle of agentic workflows, including agent creation, thread management, message handling, and execution runs. The SDK supports advanced features such as function calling, file search via vector stores, code interpretation, and integration with external data sources like Bing, Azure AI Search, and Microsoft Fabric.

What it does

  • Provides CRUD operations for managing AI agents and their configurations.
  • Manages conversation threads and message history for persistent interactions.
  • Supports streaming responses for real-time user experiences.
  • Enables function calling to execute custom logic during agent runs.
  • Integrates with vector stores and file search for RAG-based workflows.
  • Facilitates execution of code interpreters and external tool integrations.

When to use it

  • When building .NET applications that require stateful, persistent AI agents.
  • When you need to integrate custom tools or functions into an AI agent's workflow.
  • When implementing RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) using Azure AI Search or local files.
  • When you need granular control over agent execution, polling, and status management.

Advantages

  • Native .NET support with asynchronous programming patterns.
  • Comprehensive control over agent state and thread lifecycle.
  • Extensive support for diverse tool types including Bing and Microsoft Fabric.
  • Built-in streaming capabilities for responsive UI integration.

Usage examples

“How do I create a new persistent agent in .NET using the Azure AI Agents SDK?”
The agent provides a code snippet using PersistentAgentsClient.Administration.CreateAgentAsync, demonstrating how to define the model, instructions, and tools.
“Show me how to handle function calling in an agent run.”
The agent explains the polling loop, checking for RunStatus.RequiresAction, executing the local function, and submitting the output back to the run.
“How can I stream responses from an agent run?”
The agent provides an example using CreateRunStreamingAsync and iterating through the StreamingUpdate collection to handle content chunks.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/microsoft/azure-ai-agents-persistent-dotnet/download
  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip azure-ai-agents-persistent-dotnet.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by Microsoft

Azure.AI.Agents.Persistent (.NET)

Low-level SDK for creating and managing persistent AI agents with threads, messages, runs, and tools.

Installation

dotnet add package Azure.AI.Agents.Persistent --prerelease
dotnet add package Azure.Identity

Current Versions: Stable v1.1.0, Preview v1.2.0-beta.8

Environment Variables

PROJECT_ENDPOINT=https://<resource>.services.ai.azure.com/api/projects/<project>  # Required: Azure AI project endpoint
MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME=gpt-4o-mini  # Required: model deployment name
AZURE_BING_CONNECTION_ID=<bing-connection-resource-id>  # Required: Bing connection resource ID
AZURE_AI_SEARCH_CONNECTION_ID=<search-connection-resource-id>  # Required: Azure AI Search connection resource ID
AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=prod  # Required only if DefaultAzureCredential is used in production

Authentication

using Azure.AI.Agents.Persistent;
using Azure.Identity;

var projectEndpoint = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("PROJECT_ENDPOINT");
// Local dev: DefaultAzureCredential. Production: set AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=prod or AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=<specific_credential>
var credential = new DefaultAzureCredential(
    DefaultAzureCredential.DefaultEnvironmentVariableName
);
// Or use a specific credential directly in production:
// See https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/overview/azure/identity-readme?view=azure-dotnet#credential-classes
// var credential = new ManagedIdentityCredential();
PersistentAgentsClient client = new(projectEndpoint, credential);

Client Hierarchy

PersistentAgentsClient
├── Administration  → Agent CRUD operations
├── Threads         → Thread management
├── Messages        → Message operations
├── Runs            → Run execution and streaming
├── Files           → File upload/download
└── VectorStores    → Vector store management

Core Workflow

1. Create Agent
var modelDeploymentName = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME");

PersistentAgent agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(
    model: modelDeploymentName,
    name: "Math Tutor",
    instructions: "You are a personal math tutor. Write and run code to answer math questions.",
    tools: [new CodeInterpreterToolDefinition()]
);
2. Create Thread and Message
// Create thread
PersistentAgentThread thread = await client.Threads.CreateThreadAsync();

// Create message
await client.Messages.CreateMessageAsync(
    thread.Id,
    MessageRole.User,
    "I need to solve the equation `3x + 11 = 14`. Can you help me?"
);
3. Run Agent (Polling)
// Create run
ThreadRun run = await client.Runs.CreateRunAsync(
    thread.Id,
    agent.Id,
    additionalInstructions: "Please address the user as Jane Doe."
);

// Poll for completion
do
{
    await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(500));
    run = await client.Runs.GetRunAsync(thread.Id, run.Id);
}
while (run.Status == RunStatus.Queued || run.Status == RunStatus.InProgress);

// Retrieve messages
await foreach (PersistentThreadMessage message in client.Messages.GetMessagesAsync(
    threadId: thread.Id, 
    order: ListSortOrder.Ascending))
{
    Console.Write($"{message.Role}: ");
    foreach (MessageContent content in message.ContentItems)
    {
        if (content is MessageTextContent textContent)
            Console.WriteLine(textContent.Text);
    }
}
4. Streaming Response
AsyncCollectionResult<StreamingUpdate> stream = client.Runs.CreateRunStreamingAsync(
    thread.Id, 
    agent.Id
);

await foreach (StreamingUpdate update in stream)
{
    if (update.UpdateKind == StreamingUpdateReason.RunCreated)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("--- Run started! ---");
    }
    else if (update is MessageContentUpdate contentUpdate)
    {
        Console.Write(contentUpdate.Text);
    }
    else if (update.UpdateKind == StreamingUpdateReason.RunCompleted)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("\n--- Run completed! ---");
    }
}
5. Function Calling
// Define function tool
FunctionToolDefinition weatherTool = new(
    name: "getCurrentWeather",
    description: "Gets the current weather at a location.",
    parameters: BinaryData.FromObjectAsJson(new
    {
        Type = "object",
        Properties = new
        {
            Location = new { Type = "string", Description = "City and state, e.g. San Francisco, CA" },
            Unit = new { Type = "string", Enum = new[] { "c", "f" } }
        },
        Required = new[] { "location" }
    }, new JsonSerializerOptions { PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase })
);

// Create agent with function
PersistentAgent agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(
    model: modelDeploymentName,
    name: "Weather Bot",
    instructions: "You are a weather bot.",
    tools: [weatherTool]
);

// Handle function calls during polling
do
{
    await Task.Delay(500);
    run = await client.Runs.GetRunAsync(thread.Id, run.Id);

    if (run.Status == RunStatus.RequiresAction 
        && run.RequiredAction is SubmitToolOutputsAction submitAction)
    {
        List<ToolOutput> outputs = [];
        foreach (RequiredToolCall toolCall in submitAction.ToolCalls)
        {
            if (toolCall is RequiredFunctionToolCall funcCall)
            {
                // Execute function and get result
                string result = ExecuteFunction(funcCall.Name, funcCall.Arguments);
                outputs.Add(new ToolOutput(toolCall, result));
            }
        }
        run = await client.Runs.SubmitToolOutputsToRunAsync(run, outputs, toolApprovals: null);
    }
}
while (run.Status == RunStatus.Queued || run.Status == RunStatus.InProgress);
6. File Search with Vector Store
// Upload file
PersistentAgentFileInfo file = await client.Files.UploadFileAsync(
    filePath: "document.txt",
    purpose: PersistentAgentFilePurpose.Agents
);

// Create vector store
PersistentAgentsVectorStore vectorStore = await client.VectorStores.CreateVectorStoreAsync(
    fileIds: [file.Id],
    name: "my_vector_store"
);

// Create file search resource
FileSearchToolResource fileSearchResource = new();
fileSearchResource.VectorStoreIds.Add(vectorStore.Id);

// Create agent with file search
PersistentAgent agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(
    model: modelDeploymentName,
    name: "Document Assistant",
    instructions: "You help users find information in documents.",
    tools: [new FileSearchToolDefinition()],
    toolResources: new ToolResources { FileSearch = fileSearchResource }
);
7. Bing Grounding
var bingConnectionId = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_BING_CONNECTION_ID");

BingGroundingToolDefinition bingTool = new(
    new BingGroundingSearchToolParameters(
        [new BingGroundingSearchConfiguration(bingConnectionId)]
    )
);

PersistentAgent agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(
    model: modelDeploymentName,
    name: "Search Agent",
    instructions: "Use Bing to answer questions about current events.",
    tools: [bingTool]
);
AzureAISearchToolResource searchResource = new(
    connectionId: searchConnectionId,
    indexName: "my_index",
    topK: 5,
    filter: "category eq 'documentation'",
    queryType: AzureAISearchQueryType.Simple
);

PersistentAgent agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(
    model: modelDeploymentName,
    name: "Search Agent",
    instructions: "Search the documentation index to answer questions.",
    tools: [new AzureAISearchToolDefinition()],
    toolResources: new ToolResources { AzureAISearch = searchResource }
);
9. Cleanup
await client.Threads.DeleteThreadAsync(thread.Id);
await client.Administration.DeleteAgentAsync(agent.Id);
await client.VectorStores.DeleteVectorStoreAsync(vectorStore.Id);
await client.Files.DeleteFileAsync(file.Id);

Available Tools

ToolClassPurpose
Code InterpreterCodeInterpreterToolDefinitionExecute Python code, generate visualizations
File SearchFileSearchToolDefinitionSearch uploaded files via vector stores
Function CallingFunctionToolDefinitionCall custom functions
Bing GroundingBingGroundingToolDefinitionWeb search via Bing
Azure AI SearchAzureAISearchToolDefinitionSearch Azure AI Search indexes
OpenAPIOpenApiToolDefinitionCall external APIs via OpenAPI spec
Azure FunctionsAzureFunctionToolDefinitionInvoke Azure Functions
MCPMCPToolDefinitionModel Context Protocol tools
SharePointSharepointToolDefinitionAccess SharePoint content
Microsoft FabricMicrosoftFabricToolDefinitionAccess Fabric data

Streaming Update Types

Update TypeDescription
StreamingUpdateReason.RunCreatedRun started
StreamingUpdateReason.RunInProgressRun processing
StreamingUpdateReason.RunCompletedRun finished
StreamingUpdateReason.RunFailedRun errored
MessageContentUpdateText content chunk
RunStepUpdateStep status change

Key Types Reference

TypePurpose
PersistentAgentsClientMain entry point
PersistentAgentAgent with model, instructions, tools
PersistentAgentThreadConversation thread
PersistentThreadMessageMessage in thread
ThreadRunExecution of agent against thread
RunStatusQueued, InProgress, RequiresAction, Completed, Failed
ToolResourcesCombined tool resources
ToolOutputFunction call response

Best Practices

  1. Always dispose clients — Use using statements or explicit disposal

  2. Poll with appropriate delays — 500ms recommended between status checks

  3. Clean up resources — Delete threads and agents when done

  4. Handle all run statuses — Check for RequiresAction, Failed, Cancelled

  5. Use streaming for real-time UX — Better user experience than polling

  6. Store IDs not objects — Reference agents/threads by ID

  7. Use async methods — All operations should be async

Error Handling

using Azure;

try
{
    var agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(...);
}
catch (RequestFailedException ex) when (ex.Status == 404)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Resource not found");
}
catch (RequestFailedException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Error: {ex.Status} - {ex.ErrorCode}: {ex.Message}");
}
SDKPurposeInstall
Azure.AI.Agents.PersistentLow-level agents (this SDK)dotnet add package Azure.AI.Agents.Persistent
Azure.AI.ProjectsHigh-level project clientdotnet add package Azure.AI.Projects

Files

SKILL.md

Azure.AI.Agents.Persistent (.NET)

Low-level SDK for creating and managing persistent AI agents with threads, messages, runs, and tools.

Installation

dotnet add package Azure.AI.Agents.Persistent --prerelease
dotnet add package Azure.Identity

Current Versions: Stable v1.1.0, Preview v1.2.0-beta.8

Environment Variables

PROJECT_ENDPOINT=https://<resource>.services.ai.azure.com/api/projects/<project>  # Required: Azure AI project endpoint
MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME=gpt-4o-mini  # Required: model deployment name
AZURE_BING_CONNECTION_ID=<bing-connection-resource-id>  # Required: Bing connection resource ID
AZURE_AI_SEARCH_CONNECTION_ID=<search-connection-resource-id>  # Required: Azure AI Search connection resource ID
AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=prod  # Required only if DefaultAzureCredential is used in production

Authentication

using Azure.AI.Agents.Persistent;
using Azure.Identity;

var projectEndpoint = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("PROJECT_ENDPOINT");
// Local dev: DefaultAzureCredential. Production: set AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=prod or AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=<specific_credential>
var credential = new DefaultAzureCredential(
    DefaultAzureCredential.DefaultEnvironmentVariableName
);
// Or use a specific credential directly in production:
// See https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/overview/azure/identity-readme?view=azure-dotnet#credential-classes
// var credential = new ManagedIdentityCredential();
PersistentAgentsClient client = new(projectEndpoint, credential);

Client Hierarchy

PersistentAgentsClient
├── Administration  → Agent CRUD operations
├── Threads         → Thread management
├── Messages        → Message operations
├── Runs            → Run execution and streaming
├── Files           → File upload/download
└── VectorStores    → Vector store management

Core Workflow

1. Create Agent
var modelDeploymentName = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME");

PersistentAgent agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(
    model: modelDeploymentName,
    name: "Math Tutor",
    instructions: "You are a personal math tutor. Write and run code to answer math questions.",
    tools: [new CodeInterpreterToolDefinition()]
);
2. Create Thread and Message
// Create thread
PersistentAgentThread thread = await client.Threads.CreateThreadAsync();

// Create message
await client.Messages.CreateMessageAsync(
    thread.Id,
    MessageRole.User,
    "I need to solve the equation `3x + 11 = 14`. Can you help me?"
);
3. Run Agent (Polling)
// Create run
ThreadRun run = await client.Runs.CreateRunAsync(
    thread.Id,
    agent.Id,
    additionalInstructions: "Please address the user as Jane Doe."
);

// Poll for completion
do
{
    await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(500));
    run = await client.Runs.GetRunAsync(thread.Id, run.Id);
}
while (run.Status == RunStatus.Queued || run.Status == RunStatus.InProgress);

// Retrieve messages
await foreach (PersistentThreadMessage message in client.Messages.GetMessagesAsync(
    threadId: thread.Id, 
    order: ListSortOrder.Ascending))
{
    Console.Write($"{message.Role}: ");
    foreach (MessageContent content in message.ContentItems)
    {
        if (content is MessageTextContent textContent)
            Console.WriteLine(textContent.Text);
    }
}
4. Streaming Response
AsyncCollectionResult<StreamingUpdate> stream = client.Runs.CreateRunStreamingAsync(
    thread.Id, 
    agent.Id
);

await foreach (StreamingUpdate update in stream)
{
    if (update.UpdateKind == StreamingUpdateReason.RunCreated)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("--- Run started! ---");
    }
    else if (update is MessageContentUpdate contentUpdate)
    {
        Console.Write(contentUpdate.Text);
    }
    else if (update.UpdateKind == StreamingUpdateReason.RunCompleted)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("\n--- Run completed! ---");
    }
}
5. Function Calling
// Define function tool
FunctionToolDefinition weatherTool = new(
    name: "getCurrentWeather",
    description: "Gets the current weather at a location.",
    parameters: BinaryData.FromObjectAsJson(new
    {
        Type = "object",
        Properties = new
        {
            Location = new { Type = "string", Description = "City and state, e.g. San Francisco, CA" },
            Unit = new { Type = "string", Enum = new[] { "c", "f" } }
        },
        Required = new[] { "location" }
    }, new JsonSerializerOptions { PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase })
);

// Create agent with function
PersistentAgent agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(
    model: modelDeploymentName,
    name: "Weather Bot",
    instructions: "You are a weather bot.",
    tools: [weatherTool]
);

// Handle function calls during polling
do
{
    await Task.Delay(500);
    run = await client.Runs.GetRunAsync(thread.Id, run.Id);

    if (run.Status == RunStatus.RequiresAction 
        && run.RequiredAction is SubmitToolOutputsAction submitAction)
    {
        List<ToolOutput> outputs = [];
        foreach (RequiredToolCall toolCall in submitAction.ToolCalls)
        {
            if (toolCall is RequiredFunctionToolCall funcCall)
            {
                // Execute function and get result
                string result = ExecuteFunction(funcCall.Name, funcCall.Arguments);
                outputs.Add(new ToolOutput(toolCall, result));
            }
        }
        run = await client.Runs.SubmitToolOutputsToRunAsync(run, outputs, toolApprovals: null);
    }
}
while (run.Status == RunStatus.Queued || run.Status == RunStatus.InProgress);
6. File Search with Vector Store
// Upload file
PersistentAgentFileInfo file = await client.Files.UploadFileAsync(
    filePath: "document.txt",
    purpose: PersistentAgentFilePurpose.Agents
);

// Create vector store
PersistentAgentsVectorStore vectorStore = await client.VectorStores.CreateVectorStoreAsync(
    fileIds: [file.Id],
    name: "my_vector_store"
);

// Create file search resource
FileSearchToolResource fileSearchResource = new();
fileSearchResource.VectorStoreIds.Add(vectorStore.Id);

// Create agent with file search
PersistentAgent agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(
    model: modelDeploymentName,
    name: "Document Assistant",
    instructions: "You help users find information in documents.",
    tools: [new FileSearchToolDefinition()],
    toolResources: new ToolResources { FileSearch = fileSearchResource }
);
7. Bing Grounding
var bingConnectionId = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_BING_CONNECTION_ID");

BingGroundingToolDefinition bingTool = new(
    new BingGroundingSearchToolParameters(
        [new BingGroundingSearchConfiguration(bingConnectionId)]
    )
);

PersistentAgent agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(
    model: modelDeploymentName,
    name: "Search Agent",
    instructions: "Use Bing to answer questions about current events.",
    tools: [bingTool]
);
AzureAISearchToolResource searchResource = new(
    connectionId: searchConnectionId,
    indexName: "my_index",
    topK: 5,
    filter: "category eq 'documentation'",
    queryType: AzureAISearchQueryType.Simple
);

PersistentAgent agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(
    model: modelDeploymentName,
    name: "Search Agent",
    instructions: "Search the documentation index to answer questions.",
    tools: [new AzureAISearchToolDefinition()],
    toolResources: new ToolResources { AzureAISearch = searchResource }
);
9. Cleanup
await client.Threads.DeleteThreadAsync(thread.Id);
await client.Administration.DeleteAgentAsync(agent.Id);
await client.VectorStores.DeleteVectorStoreAsync(vectorStore.Id);
await client.Files.DeleteFileAsync(file.Id);

Available Tools

ToolClassPurpose
Code InterpreterCodeInterpreterToolDefinitionExecute Python code, generate visualizations
File SearchFileSearchToolDefinitionSearch uploaded files via vector stores
Function CallingFunctionToolDefinitionCall custom functions
Bing GroundingBingGroundingToolDefinitionWeb search via Bing
Azure AI SearchAzureAISearchToolDefinitionSearch Azure AI Search indexes
OpenAPIOpenApiToolDefinitionCall external APIs via OpenAPI spec
Azure FunctionsAzureFunctionToolDefinitionInvoke Azure Functions
MCPMCPToolDefinitionModel Context Protocol tools
SharePointSharepointToolDefinitionAccess SharePoint content
Microsoft FabricMicrosoftFabricToolDefinitionAccess Fabric data

Streaming Update Types

Update TypeDescription
StreamingUpdateReason.RunCreatedRun started
StreamingUpdateReason.RunInProgressRun processing
StreamingUpdateReason.RunCompletedRun finished
StreamingUpdateReason.RunFailedRun errored
MessageContentUpdateText content chunk
RunStepUpdateStep status change

Key Types Reference

TypePurpose
PersistentAgentsClientMain entry point
PersistentAgentAgent with model, instructions, tools
PersistentAgentThreadConversation thread
PersistentThreadMessageMessage in thread
ThreadRunExecution of agent against thread
RunStatusQueued, InProgress, RequiresAction, Completed, Failed
ToolResourcesCombined tool resources
ToolOutputFunction call response

Best Practices

  1. Always dispose clients — Use using statements or explicit disposal

  2. Poll with appropriate delays — 500ms recommended between status checks

  3. Clean up resources — Delete threads and agents when done

  4. Handle all run statuses — Check for RequiresAction, Failed, Cancelled

  5. Use streaming for real-time UX — Better user experience than polling

  6. Store IDs not objects — Reference agents/threads by ID

  7. Use async methods — All operations should be async

Error Handling

using Azure;

try
{
    var agent = await client.Administration.CreateAgentAsync(...);
}
catch (RequestFailedException ex) when (ex.Status == 404)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Resource not found");
}
catch (RequestFailedException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Error: {ex.Status} - {ex.ErrorCode}: {ex.Message}");
}
SDKPurposeInstall
Azure.AI.Agents.PersistentLow-level agents (this SDK)dotnet add package Azure.AI.Agents.Persistent
Azure.AI.ProjectsHigh-level project clientdotnet add package Azure.AI.Projects

Requirements and compatibility

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Security

No issues found by our static scan· No issues found

A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.

Attribution and licence

Created by
Microsoft
Publisher
Microsoft (Official)
Source
microsoft/skills · .github/plugins/azure-sdk-dotnet/skills/azure-ai-agents-persistent-dotnet · commit 0696600
Licence
MIT License (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
Synced

AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.

Download ZIP

The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download azure-ai-agents-persistent-dotnet.zip