TodoList Middleware
TodoList Middleware gives an agent the ability to organise itself with a to-do list. When it receives a complex request, the agent breaks the work into steps, writes them on the list and marks each one as pending, in progress or completed as it goes. For simple requests with only a few steps, the agent works directly without creating the list.
It does not work on its own: its output connects to the Middlewares input of an agent that accepts it. If you use Agent, you get this same feature with the Add Planning switch, without needing this component.
When to use it
- Multi-step requests, such as preparing a report that requires checking several sources.
- Requests with several tasks at once (“check these five orders and notify each customer”).
- Jobs where you want to see how far the agent has got.
Configuration
This component has no input connections and no required fields: it works with its default values.
Advanced options
| Field | What it does |
|---|---|
| System Prompt | The instructions the agent receives on when and how to use the to-do list. Leave it empty to use the defaults, which ask it to use the list only for complex jobs and to mark each task as completed as soon as it finishes it. |
| Tool Description | The explanation of the to-do list tool that the agent reads. Leave it empty to use the default. |
Output
- Middleware: the to-do list feature, ready to connect to an agent’s Middlewares input.
Example
The marketing team of the gym chain Activa prepares a campaign report every month:
- Add TodoList Middleware and connect its Middleware output to the Middlewares input of the agent that prepares the report.
- Leave System Prompt and Tool Description empty.
- Ask the agent: “Prepare the October campaign report: email, social media and ads results, plus a conclusion”.
The agent creates a list with each section of the report, works through it step by step and ticks off each task when it finishes it.
Good practices
- Keep the default instructions unless you need to change when the agent should use the list.
- If you customise System Prompt, ask the agent to mark each task as soon as it finishes it.
Related components
- Agent: includes this feature with the Add Planning switch.
- Deep Agent: an agent for long tasks that plans its steps.