Python: [BREAKING] Renamed create_agent to as_agent (#3249)

* Renamed create_agent to as_agent

* Override for as_agent

* Added override

python/packages/core/agent_framework/_clients.py

@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ class BaseChatClient(SerializationMixin, ABC, Generic[TOptions_co]):
         """
         return "Unknown"
 
-    def create_agent(
+    def as_agent(
         self,
         *,
         id: str | None = None,
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ class BaseChatClient(SerializationMixin, ABC, Generic[TOptions_co]):
                 client = OpenAIChatClient(model_id="gpt-4")
 
                 # Create an agent using the convenience method
-                agent = client.create_agent(
+                agent = client.as_agent(
                     name="assistant",
                     instructions="You are a helpful assistant.",
                     default_options={"temperature": 0.7, "max_tokens": 500},

python/packages/core/agent_framework/_workflows/_handoff.py

@@ -710,9 +710,9 @@ class HandoffBuilder:
             from agent_framework.openai import OpenAIChatClient
 
             client = OpenAIChatClient()
-            triage = client.create_agent(instructions="...", name="triage_agent")
-            refund = client.create_agent(instructions="...", name="refund_agent")
-            billing = client.create_agent(instructions="...", name="billing_agent")
+            triage = client.as_agent(instructions="...", name="triage_agent")
+            refund = client.as_agent(instructions="...", name="refund_agent")
+            billing = client.as_agent(instructions="...", name="billing_agent")
 
             builder = HandoffBuilder().participants([triage, refund, billing])
             builder.with_start_agent(triage)

python/packages/core/agent_framework/openai/_assistants_client.py

@@ -9,8 +9,12 @@ from collections.abc import (
     Mapping,
     MutableMapping,
     MutableSequence,
+    Sequence,
 )
-from typing import Any, Generic, Literal, TypedDict, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Generic, Literal, TypedDict, cast
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from .._agents import ChatAgent
 
 from openai import AsyncOpenAI
 from openai.types.beta.threads import (
@@ -28,11 +32,14 @@ from openai.types.beta.threads.runs import RunStep
 from pydantic import ValidationError
 
 from .._clients import BaseChatClient
-from .._middleware import use_chat_middleware
+from .._memory import ContextProvider
+from .._middleware import Middleware, use_chat_middleware
+from .._threads import ChatMessageStoreProtocol
 from .._tools import (
     AIFunction,
     HostedCodeInterpreterTool,
     HostedFileSearchTool,
+    ToolProtocol,
     use_function_invocation,
 )
 from .._types import (
@@ -761,3 +768,59 @@ class OpenAIAssistantsClient(
             self.assistant_name = agent_name
         if description and not self.assistant_description:
             self.assistant_description = description
+
+    @override
+    def as_agent(
+        self,
+        *,
+        id: str | None = None,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        description: str | None = None,
+        instructions: str | None = None,
+        tools: ToolProtocol
+        | Callable[..., Any]
+        | MutableMapping[str, Any]
+        | Sequence[ToolProtocol | Callable[..., Any] | MutableMapping[str, Any]]
+        | None = None,
+        default_options: TOpenAIAssistantsOptions | None = None,
+        chat_message_store_factory: Callable[[], ChatMessageStoreProtocol] | None = None,
+        context_provider: ContextProvider | None = None,
+        middleware: Sequence[Middleware] | None = None,
+        **kwargs: Any,
+    ) -> "ChatAgent[TOpenAIAssistantsOptions]":
+        """Convert this chat client to a ChatAgent.
+
+        This method creates a ChatAgent instance with this client pre-configured.
+        It does NOT create an assistant on the OpenAI service - the actual assistant
+        will be created on the server during the first invocation (run).
+
+        For creating and managing persistent assistants on the server, use
+        :class:`~agent_framework.openai.OpenAIAssistantProvider` instead.
+
+        Keyword Args:
+            id: The unique identifier for the agent. Will be created automatically if not provided.
+            name: The name of the agent.
+            description: A brief description of the agent's purpose.
+            instructions: Optional instructions for the agent.
+            tools: The tools to use for the request.
+            default_options: A TypedDict containing chat options.
+            chat_message_store_factory: Factory function to create an instance of ChatMessageStoreProtocol.
+            context_provider: Context providers to include during agent invocation.
+            middleware: List of middleware to intercept agent and function invocations.
+            kwargs: Any additional keyword arguments.
+
+        Returns:
+            A ChatAgent instance configured with this chat client.
+        """
+        return super().as_agent(
+            id=id,
+            name=name,
+            description=description,
+            instructions=instructions,
+            tools=tools,
+            default_options=default_options,
+            chat_message_store_factory=chat_message_store_factory,
+            context_provider=context_provider,
+            middleware=middleware,
+            **kwargs,
+        )