Type: GitHub Repository Original link: https://github.com/humanlayer/12-factor-agents Publication date: 2026-01-28
Summary #
Introduction #
Imagine you are an engineer at a startup developing an AI-powered customer support system. Every day, your customers face complex and variable problems, such as fraudulent transactions, urgent technical issues, or specific information requests. Your goal is to create a system that not only answers questions but is also capable of learning and adapting in real-time, providing personalized and contextual solutions.
In this scenario, the 12-Factor Agents project comes into play. This framework, inspired by the principles of 12-Factor Apps, is designed to build applications based on Large Language Models (LLM) that are reliable and production-ready. With 12-Factor Agents, you can create intelligent agents that not only answer questions but are also capable of handling complex contexts and continuously learning, improving the quality of service offered to your customers.
What It Does #
12-Factor Agents is a framework that allows you to build LLM-based applications following solid and well-defined principles. Think of it as a set of guidelines that help you create intelligent agents that are not only powerful but also reliable and scalable. The framework is written in TypeScript, a language that offers both the flexibility of JavaScript and the robustness of a typed language.
The main features of 12-Factor Agents include context management, request orchestration, prompt engineering, and memory management. These elements work together to create agents that can handle complex conversations, maintaining the context of previous interactions and adapting in real-time to users’ needs. For example, an agent can remember a previous conversation and use that information to respond more accurately to a new question, thus improving the user experience.
Why It’s Amazing #
The “wow” factor of 12-Factor Agents lies in its ability to combine solid principles with unparalleled flexibility. It’s not just a framework that tells you what to do, but a set of guidelines that allow you to build applications that are truly intelligent and adaptable.
Dynamic and Contextual: #
One of the strengths of 12-Factor Agents is context management. Agents created with this framework are able to maintain the context of conversations, remembering previous information and using it to respond more accurately. For example, if a customer has already discussed a specific technical problem, the agent can remember that conversation and use that information to resolve the issue more effectively. This makes interactions with the agent more natural and intuitive, improving the user experience.
Real-time Reasoning: #
Agents created with 12-Factor Agents are able to reason in real-time, adapting to users’ needs and continuously learning. This means they can handle complex and variable situations, providing personalized and contextual solutions. For example, if a customer has an urgent request, the agent can use the available information to provide a quick and accurate response, improving customer satisfaction.
Advanced Orchestration: #
Another advantage of 12-Factor Agents is its ability to orchestrate requests efficiently. Agents can handle multiple requests simultaneously, maintaining context and adapting in real-time. This makes the framework ideal for applications that require advanced request management, such as customer support systems or e-commerce platforms.
Prompt Engineering: #
The framework offers advanced tools for prompt engineering, allowing the creation of agents that can generate accurate and contextual responses. This is particularly useful in scenarios where responses need to be precise and personalized, such as in customer support systems or consulting platforms.
How to Try It #
To get started with 12-Factor Agents, follow these steps:
-
Clone the repository: You can find the source code on GitHub at the following address: 12-Factor Agents GitHub. Clone the repository to your computer using the command
git clone https://github.com/humanlayer/12-factor-agents.git. -
Prerequisites: Make sure you have Node.js and npm installed on your system. Additionally, you will need some specific dependencies that are listed in the
package.jsonfile. -
Setup: Once you have cloned the repository, navigate to the project directory and install the dependencies using the command
npm install. Follow the instructions in the main documentation to configure the development environment. -
Documentation: The main documentation is available in the repository and provides all the necessary information to get started. There is no one-click demo, but the documentation is detailed and will guide you step by step.
Final Thoughts #
12-Factor Agents represents a significant step forward in the world of LLM-based applications. Positioning the project within the broader context of the tech ecosystem, we can see how this framework not only solves specific problems but also offers a scalable and reliable solution for developing intelligent agents. For the developer and tech enthusiast community, 12-Factor Agents is a valuable resource that can be used to create innovative and high-quality applications.
In conclusion, 12-Factor Agents has the potential to revolutionize the way we build LLM-based applications, offering tools and guidelines that allow the creation of intelligent and adaptable agents. If you are a developer or a tech enthusiast, this framework is definitely something worth exploring and adopting in your projects.
Use Cases #
- Private AI Stack: Integration into proprietary pipelines
- Client Solutions: Implementation for client projects
- Development Acceleration: Reduction of time-to-market for projects
Resources #
Original Links #
- GitHub - humanlayer/12-factor-agents: What are the principles we can use to build LLM-powered software that is actually good enough to put - Original link
Article suggested and selected by the Human Technology eXcellence team, elaborated through artificial intelligence (in this case with LLM HTX-EU-Mistral3.1Small) on 2026-01-28 07:51 Original source: https://github.com/humanlayer/12-factor-agents
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