hive/docs/getting-started.md

Getting Started

This guide will help you set up the Aden Agent Framework and build your first agent.

Prerequisites

• 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

Quick Start

The fastest way to get started:

# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/adenhq/hive.git
cd hive

# 2. Run automated Python setup
./scripts/setup-python.sh

# 3. Verify installation
python -c "import framework; import aden_tools; print('✓ Setup complete')"

Building Your First Agent

Option 1: Using Claude Code Skills (Recommended)

# Install Claude Code skills (one-time)
./quickstart.sh

# Start Claude Code and build an agent
claude> /building-agents

Follow the interactive prompts to:

1. Define your agent's goal
2. Design the workflow (nodes and edges)
3. Generate the agent package
4. Test the agent

Option 2: From an Example

# Copy an example agent
cp -r exports/support_ticket_agent exports/my_agent

# Customize the agent
cd exports/my_agent
# Edit agent.json, tools.py, README.md

# Validate the agent
PYTHONPATH=core:exports python -m my_agent validate

Project Structure

hive/
├── core/                   # Core Framework
│   ├── framework/          # Agent runtime, graph executor
│   │   ├── runner/         # AgentRunner - loads and runs agents
│   │   ├── executor/       # GraphExecutor - executes node graphs
│   │   ├── protocols/      # Standard protocols (hooks, tracing)
│   │   ├── llm/            # LLM provider integrations
│   │   └── memory/         # Memory systems (STM, LTM/RLM)
│   └── pyproject.toml      # Package metadata
│
├── tools/                  # MCP Tools Package
│   └── src/aden_tools/     # 19 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
│   ├── support_ticket_agent/
│   ├── market_research_agent/
│   └── ...                 # Your agents go here
│
├── .claude/                # Claude Code Skills
│   └── skills/
│       ├── building-agents/
│       └── testing-agent/
│
└── docs/                   # Documentation

Running an Agent

# 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 '{...}'

API Keys Setup

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 search

Get your API keys:

• Anthropic: console.anthropic.com
• OpenAI: platform.openai.com
• Brave Search: brave.com/search/api

Testing Your Agent

# 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

Next Steps

1. Detailed Setup: See ENVIRONMENT_SETUP.md
2. Developer Guide: See DEVELOPER.md
3. Agent Patterns: Explore examples in /exports
4. Custom Tools: Learn to integrate MCP servers
5. Join Community: Discord

Troubleshooting

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'framework'

# Reinstall framework package
cd core
pip install -e .

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'aden_tools'

# Reinstall tools package
cd tools
pip install -e .

LLM API Errors

# 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 '{...}'

Package Installation Issues

# Remove and reinstall
pip uninstall -y framework aden-tools
./scripts/setup-python.sh

Getting Help

• Documentation: Check the /docs folder
• Issues: github.com/adenhq/hive/issues
• Discord: discord.com/invite/MXE49hrKDk
• Examples: Explore /exports for working agents