---
title: Quick Start
sidebarTitle: Quick Start
---

Get up and running with AG2 in just **3 minutes**! This guide will help you set up your environment and build your very first agent workflow.

!!! tip "Prerequisites"
    Make sure you've [installed AG2](/docs/user-guide/basic-concepts/installing-ag2) before continuing. Need just 30 seconds: `pip install "ag2[openai]"`

### Set Up Your Environment


**Python Version**

AG2 requires **Python version >= 3.10, < 3.14**. We recommend using a virtual environment for your project to keep your packages contained. See <a href="https://docs.python.org/3/library/venv.html" target="_blank">venv</a>.

**Set Your API Key**

Make sure to set your LLM API key as an environment variable:

=== "macOS / Linux"

    ```
    export OPENAI_API_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"
    ```

=== "Windows"

    ```
    setx OPENAI_API_KEY "YOUR_API_KEY"
    ```


### Build Your First Agent Workflow


Let's build a poetic AI assistant that responds in rhymes using AG2 and OpenAI's gpt-5-nano model.

Create a Python script called `first_agent.py`, and paste the following code into it:

```python
import os

from autogen import ConversableAgent, LLMConfig

# 1. Define our LLM configuration for OpenAI's gpt-5-nano
#    uses the OPENAI_API_KEY environment variable
llm_config = LLMConfig(
    {"api_type": "openai", "model": "gpt-5-nano", "api_key": os.environ["OPENAI_API_KEY"]}
)

# 2. Create our LLM agent
my_agent = ConversableAgent(
    name="helpful_agent",
    system_message="You are a poetic AI assistant, respond in rhyme.",
    llm_config=llm_config,
)

# 3. Run the agent with a prompt and process the response
response = my_agent.run(
    message="In one sentence, what's the big deal about AI?",
    max_turns=3,
    user_input=True,
)
response.process()
```

!!! note "Why `run()` then `process()`?"
    `run()` prepares the conversation, `process()` executes it. This two-step pattern gives you a chance to inspect or modify the workflow before it runs.

### Run Your Example


In your terminal, run:

```bash
python first_agent.py
```

If everything is set up correctly, the agent will reply to your initial message in rhyme, then prompt you for a response.
You can either:

- **Type a reply** — and the agent will respond in rhyme to your message
- **Press Enter** — to send an empty message to the agent, and see how it creatively responds
- **Type exit** — to end the conversation

The interaction continues for up to 3 turns (or until you exit).

#### Example Output

```console
user (to helpful_agent):

In one sentence, what's the big deal about AI?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>>>>>>>> USING AUTO REPLY...
helpful_agent (to user):

AI transforms our world, enhancing life's parade,
With insights and solutions, it helps plans cascade.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replying as user. Provide feedback to helpful_agent. Press enter to skip and use auto-reply, or type 'exit' to end the conversation:
```

!!! example "Try it without installing"
    Want to see AG2 in action right away? The [AG2 Playground](https://playground.ag2.ai){:target="_blank"} lets you run multi-agent workflows live in your browser — no setup required.

### What's Next?

Now that you've built your first agent, here's where to go:

- **[Overview](/docs/user-guide/basic-concepts/overview)** — Understand the core building blocks of AG2
- **[LLM Configuration](/docs/user-guide/basic-concepts/llm-configuration)** — Configure different model providers (Gemini, Anthropic, etc.)
- **[Introducing Group Chat](/docs/user-guide/basic-concepts/introducing-group-chat)** — Make multiple agents collaborate together
