diff --git a/dotnet/agent-framework-dotnet.slnx b/dotnet/agent-framework-dotnet.slnx
index 5da4e166d5..95812435d8 100644
--- a/dotnet/agent-framework-dotnet.slnx
+++ b/dotnet/agent-framework-dotnet.slnx
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@
+
diff --git a/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step17_BackgroundResponses/Program.cs b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step17_BackgroundResponses/Program.cs
index dbf86cf480..456d968c34 100644
--- a/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step17_BackgroundResponses/Program.cs
+++ b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step17_BackgroundResponses/Program.cs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
// Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
-// This sample shows how to use background responses with ChatClientAgent and OpenAI Responses.
+// This sample shows how to use background responses with ChatClientAgent and Azure OpenAI Responses.
using Azure.AI.OpenAI;
using Azure.Identity;
diff --git a/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step17_BackgroundResponses/README.md b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step17_BackgroundResponses/README.md
index 64414a7f1e..5b7df74ca9 100644
--- a/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step17_BackgroundResponses/README.md
+++ b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step17_BackgroundResponses/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
# What This Sample Shows
-This sample demonstrates how to use background responses with ChatCompletionAgent and OpenAI Responses for long-running operations. Background responses support:
+This sample demonstrates how to use background responses with ChatCompletionAgent and Azure OpenAI Responses for long-running operations. Background responses support:
- **Polling for completion** - Non-streaming APIs can start a background operation and return a continuation token. Poll with the token until the response completes.
- **Resuming after interruption** - Streaming APIs can be interrupted and resumed from the last update using the continuation token.
@@ -14,7 +14,10 @@ For more information, see the [official documentation](https://learn.microsoft.c
Before you begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites:
- .NET 8.0 SDK or later
-- OpenAI api key
+- Azure OpenAI service endpoint and deployment configured
+- Azure CLI installed and authenticated (for Azure credential authentication)
+
+**Note**: This demo uses Azure CLI credentials for authentication. Make sure you're logged in with `az login` and have access to the Azure OpenAI resource. For more information, see the [Azure CLI documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/cli/azure/authenticate-azure-cli-interactively).
Set the following environment variables:
diff --git a/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence.csproj b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence.csproj
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4735f4a7a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence.csproj
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+
+
+
+ Exe
+ net9.0
+
+ enable
+ enable
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
diff --git a/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence/Program.cs b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence/Program.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f2a3bdf5c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence/Program.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
+
+// This sample demonstrates how to use background responses with ChatClientAgent and Azure OpenAI Responses for long-running operations.
+// It shows polling for completion using continuation tokens, function calling during background operations,
+// and persisting/restoring agent state between polling cycles.
+
+#pragma warning disable CA1050 // Declare types in namespaces
+
+using System.ComponentModel;
+using System.Text.Json;
+using Azure.AI.OpenAI;
+using Azure.Identity;
+using Microsoft.Agents.AI;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.AI;
+using OpenAI;
+
+var endpoint = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_OPENAI_ENDPOINT") ?? throw new InvalidOperationException("AZURE_OPENAI_ENDPOINT is not set.");
+var deploymentName = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_OPENAI_DEPLOYMENT_NAME") ?? "gpt-5";
+
+var stateStore = new Dictionary();
+
+AIAgent agent = new AzureOpenAIClient(
+ new Uri(endpoint),
+ new AzureCliCredential())
+ .GetOpenAIResponseClient(deploymentName)
+ .CreateAIAgent(
+ name: "SpaceNovelWriter",
+ instructions: "You are a space novel writer. Always research relevant facts and generate character profiles for the main characters before writing novels." +
+ "Write complete chapters without asking for approval or feedback. Do not ask the user about tone, style, pace, or format preferences - just write the novel based on the request.",
+ tools: [AIFunctionFactory.Create(ResearchSpaceFactsAsync), AIFunctionFactory.Create(GenerateCharacterProfilesAsync)]);
+
+// Enable background responses (only supported by {Azure}OpenAI Responses at this time).
+AgentRunOptions options = new() { AllowBackgroundResponses = true };
+
+AgentThread thread = agent.GetNewThread();
+
+// Start the initial run.
+AgentRunResponse response = await agent.RunAsync("Write a very long novel about a team of astronauts exploring an uncharted galaxy.", thread, options);
+
+// Poll for background responses until complete.
+while (response.ContinuationToken is not null)
+{
+ PersistAgentState(thread, response.ContinuationToken);
+
+ await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(10));
+
+ RestoreAgentState(agent, out thread, out object? continuationToken);
+
+ options.ContinuationToken = continuationToken;
+ response = await agent.RunAsync(thread, options);
+}
+
+Console.WriteLine(response.Text);
+
+void PersistAgentState(AgentThread thread, object? continuationToken)
+{
+ stateStore["thread"] = thread.Serialize();
+ stateStore["continuationToken"] = JsonSerializer.SerializeToElement(continuationToken, AgentAbstractionsJsonUtilities.DefaultOptions.GetTypeInfo(typeof(ResponseContinuationToken)));
+}
+
+void RestoreAgentState(AIAgent agent, out AgentThread thread, out object? continuationToken)
+{
+ JsonElement serializedThread = stateStore["thread"] ?? throw new InvalidOperationException("No serialized thread found in state store.");
+ JsonElement? serializedToken = stateStore["continuationToken"];
+
+ thread = agent.DeserializeThread(serializedThread);
+ continuationToken = serializedToken?.Deserialize(AgentAbstractionsJsonUtilities.DefaultOptions.GetTypeInfo(typeof(ResponseContinuationToken)));
+}
+
+[Description("Researches relevant space facts and scientific information for writing a science fiction novel")]
+async Task ResearchSpaceFactsAsync(string topic)
+{
+ Console.WriteLine($"[ResearchSpaceFacts] Researching topic: {topic}");
+
+ // Simulate a research operation
+ await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(10));
+
+ string result = topic.ToUpperInvariant() switch
+ {
+ var t when t.Contains("GALAXY") => "Research findings: Galaxies contain billions of stars. Uncharted galaxies may have unique stellar formations, exotic matter, and unexplored phenomena like dark energy concentrations.",
+ var t when t.Contains("SPACE") || t.Contains("TRAVEL") => "Research findings: Interstellar travel requires advanced propulsion systems. Challenges include radiation exposure, life support, and navigation through unknown space.",
+ var t when t.Contains("ASTRONAUT") => "Research findings: Astronauts undergo rigorous training in zero-gravity environments, emergency protocols, spacecraft systems, and team dynamics for long-duration missions.",
+ _ => $"Research findings: General space exploration facts related to {topic}. Deep space missions require advanced technology, crew resilience, and contingency planning for unknown scenarios."
+ };
+
+ Console.WriteLine("[ResearchSpaceFacts] Research complete");
+ return result;
+}
+
+[Description("Generates character profiles for the main astronaut characters in the novel")]
+async Task> GenerateCharacterProfilesAsync()
+{
+ Console.WriteLine("[GenerateCharacterProfiles] Generating character profiles...");
+
+ // Simulate a character generation operation
+ await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(10));
+
+ string[] profiles = [
+ "Captain Elena Voss: A seasoned mission commander with 15 years of experience. Strong-willed and decisive, she struggles with the weight of responsibility for her crew. Former military pilot turned astronaut.",
+ "Dr. James Chen: Chief science officer and astrophysicist. Brilliant but socially awkward, he finds solace in data and discovery. His curiosity often pushes the mission into uncharted territory.",
+ "Lieutenant Maya Torres: Navigation specialist and youngest crew member. Optimistic and tech-savvy, she brings fresh perspective and innovative problem-solving to challenges.",
+ "Commander Marcus Rivera: Chief engineer with expertise in spacecraft systems. Pragmatic and resourceful, he can fix almost anything with limited resources. Values crew safety above all.",
+ "Dr. Amara Okafor: Medical officer and psychologist. Empathetic and observant, she helps maintain crew morale and mental health during the long journey. Expert in space medicine."
+ ];
+
+ Console.WriteLine($"[GenerateCharacterProfiles] Generated {profiles.Length} character profiles");
+ return profiles;
+}
diff --git a/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence/README.md b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..146f418512
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# What This Sample Shows
+
+This sample demonstrates how to use background responses with ChatCompletionAgent and Azure OpenAI Responses for long-running operations. Background responses support:
+
+- **Polling for completion** - Non-streaming APIs can start a background operation and return a continuation token. Poll with the token until the response completes.
+- **Function calling** - Functions can be called during background operations.
+- **State persistence** - Thread and continuation token can be persisted and restored between polling cycles.
+
+> **Note:** Background responses are currently only supported by OpenAI Responses.
+
+For more information, see the [official documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/agent-framework/user-guide/agents/agent-background-responses?pivots=programming-language-csharp).
+
+# Prerequisites
+
+Before you begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites:
+
+- .NET 8.0 SDK or later
+- Azure OpenAI service endpoint and deployment configured
+- Azure CLI installed and authenticated (for Azure credential authentication)
+
+**Note**: This demo uses Azure CLI credentials for authentication. Make sure you're logged in with `az login` and have access to the Azure OpenAI resource. For more information, see the [Azure CLI documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/cli/azure/authenticate-azure-cli-interactively).
+
+Set the following environment variables:
+
+```powershell
+$env:AZURE_OPENAI_ENDPOINT="https://your-resource.openai.azure.com/" # Replace with your Azure OpenAI resource endpoint
+$env:AZURE_OPENAI_DEPLOYMENT_NAME="gpt-5" # Optional, defaults to gpt-5
+```
diff --git a/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/README.md b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/README.md
index 2b8f7550c9..bf5c291f9e 100644
--- a/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/README.md
+++ b/dotnet/samples/GettingStarted/Agents/README.md
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ Before you begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites:
|[Background responses](./Agent_Step17_BackgroundResponses/)|This sample demonstrates how to use background responses for long-running operations with polling and resumption support|
|[Adding RAG with text search](./Agent_Step18_TextSearchRag/)|This sample demonstrates how to enrich agent responses with retrieval augmented generation using the text search provider|
|[Using Mem0-backed memory](./Agent_Step19_Mem0Provider/)|This sample demonstrates how to use the Mem0Provider to persist and recall memories across conversations|
+|[Background responses with tools and persistence](./Agent_Step20_BackgroundResponsesWithToolsAndPersistence/)|This sample demonstrates advanced background response scenarios including function calling during background operations and state persistence|
## Running the samples from the console