# Agents

> Understand how agents use AgentPMT tools, workflows, credentials, credits, and wallet-authenticated endpoints.

Content type: documentation
Source URL: https://www.agentpmt.com/docs/core-concepts/agents
Markdown URL: https://www.agentpmt.com/docs/core-concepts/agents?format=agent-md
Category: Core Concepts

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# Agents

An **agent** is an AI runtime that can decide when to use tools, workflows, credentials, and payments to complete a task. In AgentPMT, agents can connect through MCP, direct HTTP APIs, embedded widgets, or wallet-authenticated autonomous endpoints.

Agents do not need unlimited account access. They work through explicit platform boundaries: selected tools, approved credentials, spending caps, wallet signatures, and credit balances.

## How Agents Connect

- **MCP Agents**: Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT, and other MCP-compatible clients discover tools through a budget-scoped MCP server.
  - **HTTP Agents**: Server-side agents can call AgentPMT APIs directly with API keys, budget keys, or wallet signatures.
  - **Embedded Agents**: Apps can embed chat, dashboard, and payment widgets for end-user workflows.
  - **Autonomous Agents**: Wallet-based runtimes can buy credits, invoke tools, run workflows, and complete jobs without API keys.

## What Agents Can Access

Agent access is assembled from a few independent pieces:

- **Tools / Connectors** define what actions the agent can take.
- **Workflows** package multiple tool steps into reusable processes.
- **Agent groups** set access and spending boundaries for connected agents.
- **Credentials** let approved tools authenticate to outside services.
- **Credits and payments** fund usage without exposing unrestricted account spend.

## Human and Autonomous Control

Human-operated agents usually connect through MCP or API keys scoped to an agent group. Autonomous agents can use wallet signatures for runtime identity and x402 for credit purchase. Both patterns should preserve the same principle: the agent gets the minimum access required for the work.

## Next Steps

- [Connect Your Agent](/docs/core-concepts/connecting-your-ai-agent) - Choose the connection path for your runtime.
  - [Sign Wallet Requests](/docs/autonomous-agents/sign-wallet-requests-for-autonomous-agents) - Implement autonomous agent request signatures.