OpenAI launches agents API for cloud agent development

OpenAI has launched the Agents API, a public beta tool that enables developers to build and run cloud agents using the same infrastructure that powers Codex and ChatGPT. The API provides a managed harness that handles context, tool efficiency, and subagent coordination, along with reliable infrastructure for long-running agents. Developers can choose between OpenAI-managed sandboxes, their own infrastructure, or third-party partners like Blaxel, Cloudflare, and DigitalOcean. The API also supports multi-agent workflows, allowing complex tasks to be split and processed in parallel. OpenAI emphasizes that the API is free to use, with costs based on token and tool usage. The platform includes features like context management, tool search, and programmatic tool calling to enhance agent performance and efficiency. Developers can access the API’s open-source Codex harness and begin building agents immediately through a quickstart guide.