Test cases for tool-using agents in Agentic AI - Model Pipeline Trace

Model Pipeline - Test cases for tool-using agents

This pipeline tests how an AI agent uses external tools to complete tasks. It checks if the agent correctly selects, uses, and integrates tool outputs to improve task performance.

Data Flow - 4 Stages

1Input Task

1 task description→Receive a task that requires tool usage→1 task description

"Translate this sentence and summarize it."

↓

2Tool Selection

1 task description→Agent decides which tools to use based on task→List of selected tools

["Translation Tool", "Summarization Tool"]

↓

3Tool Execution

List of selected tools and task data→Agent sends data to tools and receives outputs→List of tool outputs

["Translated sentence", "Summary text"]

↓

4Output Integration

List of tool outputs→Agent combines tool outputs into final answer→Final response text

"Here is the translated and summarized text."

Training Trace - Epoch by Epoch

Loss
0.5 |****
0.4 |***
0.3 |**
0.2 |*
0.1 | 
     1 2 3 4 5 Epochs

Epoch	Loss ↓	Accuracy ↑	Observation
1	0.45	0.60	Agent starts learning to select correct tools.
2	0.32	0.75	Better tool selection and output integration.
3	0.20	0.85	Agent improves in using tools effectively.
4	0.15	0.90	High accuracy in task completion with tools.
5	0.12	0.93	Training converges with stable performance.

Prediction Trace - 4 Layers

Layer 1: Receive Task

Layer 2: Tool Selection

Layer 3: Tool Execution

Layer 4: Output Integration

Model Quiz - 3 Questions

What is the agent's first action after receiving a task?

A Select which tools to use

B Execute all available tools

C Integrate outputs immediately

D Ignore the task

Key Insight

Testing tool-using agents involves checking if they can pick the right tools, use them correctly, and combine their outputs well. Training shows steady improvement in these skills, leading to better task results.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of writing test cases for tool-using agents?

easy

A. To add more tools to the agent

B. To make agents run faster

C. To check if agents use tools correctly and handle errors

D. To reduce the size of the agent's code

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of test cases

   Test cases are designed to verify that the agent behaves as expected, especially when using tools.

2. Step 2: Identify the main goal for tool-using agents

   For agents that use tools, tests ensure they use these tools correctly and handle any errors gracefully.

3. Final Answer:

   To check if agents use tools correctly and handle errors -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Test cases purpose = check tool use and errors [OK]

Hint: Test cases verify correct tool use and error handling [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking test cases speed up agents
• Believing test cases reduce code size
• Assuming test cases add tools

2. Which of the following is the correct way to write a test case for a tool-using agent in Python?

easy

A. test agent tool: assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '2+2') == 4

B. def test_agent_tool(): assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '2+2') == 4

C. def test_agent_tool: assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '2+2') == 4

D. def test_agent_tool() assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '2+2') == 4

Solution

1. Step 1: Check Python function syntax

   Python test functions start with 'def', have parentheses, and a colon at the end.

2. Step 2: Verify assertion syntax

   The assert statement must be inside the function and correctly compare expected output.

3. Final Answer:

   def test_agent_tool(): assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '2+2') == 4 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Correct Python test function syntax = def test_agent_tool(): assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '2+2') == 4 [OK]

Hint: Remember Python functions need parentheses and colon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting parentheses in function definition
• Missing colon after function header
• Incorrect assert statement placement

3. Given this test case code snippet, what will be the output if the agent returns 5 instead of 4?

def test_agent_tool():
    result = agent.use_tool('calculator', '2+2')
    assert result == 4
    print('Test passed')

medium

A. Test passed

B. SyntaxError

C. No output

D. AssertionError

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand assert behavior

   If the assert condition is false, Python raises an AssertionError and stops execution.

2. Step 2: Check the test condition

   The test expects result == 4, but agent returns 5, so assert fails.

3. Final Answer:

   AssertionError -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Assert fails if values differ = AssertionError [OK]

Hint: Assert fails if expected and actual differ [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking print runs after failed assert
• Confusing AssertionError with SyntaxError
• Assuming no output on failure

4. Identify the error in this test case for a tool-using agent:

def test_agent_tool():
    result = agent.use_tool('search', 'weather today')
    assert result = 'sunny'
    print('Test passed')

medium

A. Using '=' instead of '==' in assert

B. Missing parentheses in print

C. Wrong function name

D. Agent tool name is invalid

Solution

1. Step 1: Check assert statement syntax

   In Python, '=' is for assignment, '==' is for comparison. Assert needs '==' to compare values.

2. Step 2: Verify other parts

   Print has parentheses, function name is valid, and tool name is plausible.

3. Final Answer:

   Using '=' instead of '==' in assert -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Assert needs '==' for comparison [OK]

Hint: Assert compares with '==', not '=' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing assignment '=' with comparison '=='
• Ignoring syntax errors in assert
• Assuming print needs no parentheses

5. You want to test an agent that uses a calculator tool to handle multiple expressions. Which test case best checks if the agent correctly handles both valid and invalid inputs?

hard

A. def test_calc(): assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '3*3') == 9; assert agent.use_tool('calculator', 'abc') == 'error'

B. def test_calc(): assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '3*3') == 9; assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '3/0') == 0

C. def test_calc(): assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '3*3') == 9; assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '') == ''

D. def test_calc(): assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '3*3') == 9; assert agent.use_tool('calculator', null) == null"

Solution

1. Step 1: Check valid input test

   All options test '3*3' == 9 correctly, which is good for valid input.

2. Step 2: Check invalid input handling

   def test_calc(): assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '3*3') == 9; assert agent.use_tool('calculator', 'abc') == 'error' expects 'abc' input to return 'error', which correctly tests error handling. Others expect incorrect or unclear outputs.

3. Final Answer:

   def test_calc(): assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '3*3') == 9; assert agent.use_tool('calculator', 'abc') == 'error' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Test valid and invalid inputs properly = def test_calc(): assert agent.use_tool('calculator', '3*3') == 9; assert agent.use_tool('calculator', 'abc') == 'error' [OK]

Hint: Test both valid and invalid inputs explicitly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting wrong output for invalid input
• Not testing error cases
• Assuming empty or null inputs return themselves