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agent-framework/python/samples/03-workflows/declarative
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Copilot b05fc9e849 Python: Add load_dotenv() to samples for .env file support (#4043)
* Initial plan

* Add load_dotenv() to 303 Python samples for environment variable loading

Co-authored-by: TaoChenOSU <12570346+TaoChenOSU@users.noreply.github.com>

* Update SAMPLE_GUIDELINES.md to document load_dotenv() requirement

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* Update samples README.md to document .env file usage

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* Run ruff format on all changed sample files

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* Clarify load_dotenv() usage in README - local dev vs production

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* Remove deprecated getting_started folder as requested

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* Document env_file_path parameter for per-client configuration

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* Merge main branch to resolve conflicts

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* Fix run_evaluation.py file that was empty in merge commit

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* Remove dotnet changes from merge - out of scope for this PR

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* Remove package and test changes from merge - only sample changes needed

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* Remove test_func_utils.py - only sample changes needed

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* Revert sample files not in original changeset - keep only load_dotenv additions

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* Move load_dotenv() outside snippet tag in 06_host_your_agent.py

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* Fix comment placement - move load_dotenv before code comments

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* Fix load_dotenv() placement across all samples - after docstring, before code comments

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* Merge latest main branch with load_dotenv changes

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* Remove non-sample changes from merge - keep only load_dotenv additions

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* Revert non-load_dotenv sample changes from merge

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* Fix run_evaluation.py - use main's improved version (file already had load_dotenv)

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* Manual update

* Manual update 2

* Fix Role usage and load_dotenv placement per PR review feedback

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* Fix Role usage - use string literals not enum attributes

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* Fix SAMPLE_GUIDELINES.md example - load_dotenv before docstring per guidance

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* Move load_dotenv() before docstrings in all samples per SAMPLE_GUIDELINES ordering

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* Address PR review: rename files, fix placement, add session usage, remove note

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* Update Redis README to reference renamed file redis_history_provider.py

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---------

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Co-authored-by: TaoChenOSU <12570346+TaoChenOSU@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Tao Chen <taochen@microsoft.com>
Co-authored-by: eavanvalkenburg <13749212+eavanvalkenburg@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Eduard van Valkenburg <eavanvalkenburg@users.noreply.github.com>
b05fc9e849 ยท 2026-02-19 10:55:13 +00:00
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Declarative Workflows

Declarative workflows allow you to define multi-agent orchestration patterns in YAML, including:

  • Variable manipulation and state management
  • Control flow (loops, conditionals, branching)
  • Agent invocations
  • Human-in-the-loop patterns

See the main workflows README for the list of available samples.

Prerequisites

pip install agent-framework-declarative

Running Samples

Each sample directory contains:

  • workflow.yaml - The declarative workflow definition
  • main.py - Python code to load and execute the workflow
  • README.md - Sample-specific documentation

To run a sample:

cd <sample_directory>
python main.py

Workflow Structure

A basic workflow YAML file looks like:

name: my-workflow
description: A simple workflow example

actions:
  - kind: SetValue
    path: turn.greeting
    value: Hello, World!

  - kind: SendActivity
    activity:
      text: =turn.greeting

Action Types

Variable Actions

  • SetValue - Set a variable in state
  • SetVariable - Set a variable (.NET style naming)
  • AppendValue - Append to a list
  • ResetVariable - Clear a variable

Control Flow

  • If - Conditional branching
  • Switch - Multi-way branching
  • Foreach - Iterate over collections
  • RepeatUntil - Loop until condition
  • GotoAction - Jump to labeled action

Output

  • SendActivity - Send text/attachments to user
  • EmitEvent - Emit custom events

Agent Invocation

  • InvokeAzureAgent - Call an Azure AI agent
  • InvokePromptAgent - Call a local prompt agent

Human-in-Loop

  • Question - Request user input
  • WaitForInput - Pause for external input