State in Instructions

This example demonstrates how to use session state variables directly in agent instructions. It shows how to initialize session state and reference those variables in the instruction templates.

1. Create a Python file

   session_state_in_instructions.py

   from agno.agent import Agent
   from agno.models.openai import OpenAIResponses
   
   agent = Agent(
       model=OpenAIResponses(id="gpt-5.2"),
       session_state={"user_name": "John"},
       instructions="Users name is {user_name}",
       markdown=True,
   )
   
   agent.print_response("What is my name?", stream=True)
   
2. Set up your virtual environment

   Mac

   uv venv --python 3.12
   source .venv/bin/activate
   

   uv venv --python 3.12
   .venv\Scripts\activate
   
3. Install dependencies

   uv pip install -U agno openai
   
4. Export your OpenAI API key

   Set OpenAI Key

   Set your OPENAI_API_KEY as an environment variable. You can get one from OpenAI.

   Mac

   export OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-***
   

   setx OPENAI_API_KEY sk-***
   
5. Run Agent

   python session_state_in_instructions.py