This guide will help you set up the Aden Agent Framework and build your first agent.
- Python 3.11+ (Download) - Python 3.12 or 3.13 recommended
- pip - Package installer for Python (comes with Python)
- git - Version control
- Claude Code (Install) - Optional, for using building skills
The fastest way to get started:
# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/adenhq/hive.git
cd hive
# 2. Run automated setup
./quickstart.sh
# 3. Verify installation (optional, quickstart.sh already verifies)
python -c "import framework; import aden_tools; print('✓ Setup complete')"# Setup already done via quickstart.sh above
# Start Claude Code and build an agent
claude> /building-agents-constructionFollow the interactive prompts to:
- Define your agent's goal
- Design the workflow (nodes and edges)
- Generate the agent package
- Test the agent
Note: The
exports/directory is where your agents are created. It is not included in the repository (gitignored) because agents are user-generated via Claude Code skills or created manually.
# Create exports directory if it doesn't exist
mkdir -p exports/my_agent
# Create your agent structure
cd exports/my_agent
# Create agent.json, tools.py, README.md (see DEVELOPER.md for structure)
# Validate the agent
PYTHONPATH=core:exports python -m my_agent validateIf you prefer to start with code rather than CLI wizards, check out the manual agent example:
# View the minimal example
cat core/examples/manual_agent.py
# Run it (no API keys required)
PYTHONPATH=core python core/examples/manual_agent.pyThis demonstrates the core runtime loop using pure Python functions, skipping the complexity of LLM setup and file-based configuration.
hive/
├── core/ # Core Framework
│ ├── framework/ # Agent runtime, graph executor
│ │ ├── builder/ # Agent builder utilities
│ │ ├── credentials/ # Credential management
│ │ ├── graph/ # GraphExecutor - executes node graphs
│ │ ├── llm/ # LLM provider integrations
│ │ ├── mcp/ # MCP server integration
│ │ ├── runner/ # AgentRunner - loads and runs agents
│ │ ├── runtime/ # Runtime environment
│ │ ├── schemas/ # Data schemas
│ │ ├── storage/ # File-based persistence
│ │ └── testing/ # Testing utilities
│ └── pyproject.toml # Package metadata
│
├── tools/ # MCP Tools Package
│ └── src/aden_tools/ # Tools for agent capabilities
│ ├── tools/ # Individual tool implementations
│ │ ├── web_search_tool/
│ │ ├── web_scrape_tool/
│ │ └── file_system_toolkits/
│ └── mcp_server.py # HTTP MCP server
│
├── exports/ # Agent Packages (user-generated, not in repo)
│ └── your_agent/ # Your agents created via /building-agents
│
├── .claude/ # Claude Code Skills
│ └── skills/
│ ├── agent-workflow/
│ ├── building-agents-construction/
│ ├── building-agents-core/
│ ├── building-agents-patterns/
│ └── testing-agent/
│
└── docs/ # Documentation
# Validate agent structure
PYTHONPATH=core:exports python -m my_agent validate
# Show agent information
PYTHONPATH=core:exports python -m my_agent info
# Run agent with input
PYTHONPATH=core:exports python -m my_agent run --input '{
"task": "Your input here"
}'
# Run in mock mode (no LLM calls)
PYTHONPATH=core:exports python -m my_agent run --mock --input '{...}'For running agents with real LLMs:
# Add to your shell profile (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.)
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-key-here"
export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-key-here" # Optional
export BRAVE_SEARCH_API_KEY="your-key-here" # Optional, for web searchGet your API keys:
- Anthropic: console.anthropic.com
- OpenAI: platform.openai.com
- Brave Search: brave.com/search/api
# Using Claude Code
claude> /testing-agent
# Or manually
PYTHONPATH=core:exports python -m my_agent test
# Run with specific test type
PYTHONPATH=core:exports python -m my_agent test --type constraint
PYTHONPATH=core:exports python -m my_agent test --type success- Detailed Setup: See ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md
- Developer Guide: See DEVELOPER.md
- Build Agents: Use
/building-agentsskill in Claude Code - Custom Tools: Learn to integrate MCP servers
- Join Community: Discord
# Reinstall framework package
cd core
pip install -e .# Reinstall tools package
cd tools
pip install -e .# Verify API key is set
echo $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY
# Run in mock mode to test without API
PYTHONPATH=core:exports python -m my_agent run --mock --input '{...}'# Remove and reinstall
pip uninstall -y framework tools
./quickstart.sh- Documentation: Check the
/docsfolder - Issues: github.com/adenhq/hive/issues
- Discord: discord.com/invite/MXE49hrKDk
- Build Agents: Use
/building-agentsskill to create agents