What is an agent framework?

A framework is the agent’s “assembly kit”. It provides the structure connecting the model, tools, memory, and interface without you having to code it from scratch.

OpenClaw: simplicity for everyone

OpenClaw is an open-source framework designed to be simple and direct. Quick installation (a single npm package), JSON file configuration, native Telegram support, installable skills from Clawhub, and memory with local embeddings.

Ideal for: Users who want a functional personal agent without complications. Sysadmins, tech enthusiasts.

LangChain: the Swiss army knife

LangChain is probably the best-known framework. Huge ecosystem, extensive documentation, supports complex agent flows. But the learning curve is steep and it requires Python or JavaScript programming skills.

Ideal for: Developers who need full control.

CrewAI: agents that collaborate

CrewAI focuses on multi-agent systems: several agents working together, each with a specific role. For example, a researcher agent, a writer, and an editor coordinating together.

Ideal for: Complex workflows with task division.

AutoGen (Microsoft): conversations between agents

AutoGen is Microsoft’s framework where agents communicate with each other as conversations — one proposes, another reviews, a third executes.

How to choose?

If you can’t program and want a personal agent → OpenClaw.

If you know Python and want more control → LangChain or Pydantic AI.

If you need multiple coordinated agents → CrewAI or AutoGen.

If you’re an enterprise → LangChain or Semantic Kernel.

For this course, we’ll work with OpenClaw because it best suits someone starting out.

They all share the same foundations

Regardless of which framework you choose, they all work on the same principles you’ve learned: they use an LLM as a brain, connect to providers via API, give tools to the model, and manage memory.

If you understand the fundamentals, switching frameworks is just a matter of adapting to its configuration.

Key concepts today

  • Framework: Assembly kit connecting model + tools + memory + interface
  • OpenClaw: Simple, configurable, ideal for non-programmers
  • LangChain: Powerful, versatile, requires programming
  • CrewAI / AutoGen: Multi-agent, for complex flows
  • All use the same foundations: LLM + Provider + Tools + Memory

Next lesson: We start Week 5 — What is OpenClaw and why we chose it.