OpenAI Agents SDK: Getting Started Guide with Examples

Build AI agents in Python with the OpenAI Agents SDK. Step-by-step setup, tools, handoffs, guardrails & REAL examples. Start building now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the OpenAI Agents SDK free to use?
The SDK itself is free and open-source (MIT license). You pay only for OpenAI API calls your agents make. Token costs depend on the model you choose — GPT-4.1 Nano is the cheapest option for simple tasks.
What is the difference between OpenAI Agents SDK and Swarm?
Swarm was an experimental, educational framework. The Agents SDK is its production-ready successor with added features like guardrails, built-in tracing, MCP tool support, voice agents, and session-based memory.
Can I use non-OpenAI models with the Agents SDK?
Yes. The SDK supports any provider that exposes the Chat Completions API. You can use models from Anthropic, Google, or open-source providers via LiteLLM integration. See our [framework comparison](/blog/ag2-vs-crewai-vs-langgraph-openai-agents-sdk/) for alternatives.
How do handoffs work in OpenAI Agents SDK?
A handoff transfers control from one agent to another. You define handoffs as a list of target agents on the source agent. When the model decides a specialist is better suited, it triggers the handoff automatically — no manual routing needed.
How does the OpenAI Agents SDK compare to LangChain and CrewAI?
The Agents SDK has the lowest learning curve and fewest abstractions. LangGraph offers more control for complex stateful workflows. CrewAI excels at role-based multi-agent teams. Read our [full comparison](/blog/ag2-vs-crewai-vs-langgraph-openai-agents-sdk/).
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