This playbook walks you through building a simple workflow in the OpenAI Agent Builder that can make decisions on its own.
You’ll learn how to set up IF/ELSE logic — a basic “if this, then that” rule — so your agent can choose what to do based on user input.
The Agent Builder has a drag-and-drop interface, but it still leans toward developers, so you’ll need to understand a few coding basics. In this example, you’ll create a workflow that checks whether a user’s question needs internet access and then takes the right action automatically.
Step 1: Access the Agent Builder and Workflow UI
1. Access the Agent Builder
Access the Agent Builder within your OpenAI developer account. If you do not have one, you will need to create an account first.
2. Open the Workflow UI
You will be presented with a drag-and-drop UI where you can begin creating your workflow.
Step 2: Define the Initial Identifying Agent
The agent is the AI component that integrates into your workflow, encompassing the underlying prompts, model, reasoning, and relative tools.
1. Add the Agent Block
Drag the Agent block onto the canvas.
2. Rename the Agent
Rename this agent to reflect its function, such as “is web search”. This agent’s purpose will be to act as an identifier for a boolean (true or false).
3. Define the Task
In the agent’s instructions, define its task clearly, for example: “if user message requires the internet set is web to true”.
4. Configure the Output Format
- Choose JSON as the output format. JSON is a coding language used to format data so the AI can read it.
- Define a property name, such as
is web, which is how you will reference this variable later in the workflow. - Set the property Type to Bool (boolean). A boolean is a data type representing true or false.
Step 3: Connect the Agent to the IF/ELSE Logic
1. Link the Agent
Use the connection string (“string bean”) from your initial Agent and link it to the If else block.
2. Understand IF/ELSE
The IF/ELSE block is a classic development element. It allows the workflow to execute different actions based on a condition.
Step 4: Set Up the IF/ELSE Condition
1. Define the Condition
Within the IF/ELSE block, set the condition to check if the boolean variable output by the agent is true.
2. Example Condition
The condition should look like: if is web == true.
3. Path Execution
If this condition is met (meaning the initial message requires internet access), the workflow will follow the ‘True’ path. Otherwise, it follows the ‘Else’ path.
Step 5: Define the ‘True’ Path (Web Search Agent)
This path is taken if the initial Agent determined internet access is required.
1. Connect a New Agent
Connect a new Agent block to the ‘True’ output path of the IF/ELSE block.
2. Add Web Search Capability
In this new agent’s configuration, grant it the Web Search capability by adding the tool.
3. Define the Task
Set the agent’s instruction to “do the requested message”.
4. Add Context Input
Specify the input by selecting Add context input as text, ensuring it pulls the original text input from the user.
Testing the True Path: If you input a message like “What is the weather in SF right now,” the first agent will set is webto true, and the flow will execute this Web Search Agent.
Step 6: Define the ‘False’ Path (Alternative Agent)
1. Add the Alternative Agent
Connect a third Agent block to the ‘Else’ output path of the IF/ELSE block.
2. Define the Objective
Define a simple, non-web-dependent objective for this agent, such as “say a coffee joke”.
Testing the False Path: If you input a message like “What is the capital of Texas,” the initial agent will determine it does not require internet search, and the workflow will follow the ‘Else’ path to the Coffee Joke Agent.
Step 7 (Optional): Integrating a Widget for Output
Widgets determine how the UI looks when a chatbot responds.
1. Change Output to Widget
In the final agent (e.g., the Web Search Agent), change the output from standard text to Widget.
2. Upload a Widget File
Upload a pre-existing widget file (typically a .widget file).
3. Understand Widget Constraints
When you set the agent’s output format to a specific widget (e.g., “weather current”), it constrains the AI agent’s outputs solely to that widget format. If the agent generates any other type of output (like unstructured text), the UI will break.
Step 8: Publish the Workflow
1. Publish the Agent
Once the workflow is set up, click Publish.
2. Name the Workflow
Give your workflow a name, such as “we building”. The resulting workflow ID and information regarding Chat Kit—which allows you to embed this workflow into a website or software—will be displayed next.