Core Concepts

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Lux is built on several core concepts that work together to create powerful multi-agent systems. This guide provides an overview of these concepts and how they interact.

Overview

The key components of Lux are:

  1. Agents
  2. Signals
  3. Prisms
  4. Beams
  5. Lenses
  6. Companies

Let's explore each of these in detail.

Agents

Detailed Guide

Agents are autonomous components that combine intelligence with execution capabilities. They can:

  • Interact with Language Models (LLMs)
  • Process and respond to signals
  • Execute workflows
  • Maintain state and memory
  • Collaborate with other agents

Key characteristics of agents:

  • Unique identifier
  • Name and description
  • Defined goal or purpose
  • LLM configuration
  • Optional memory configuration
  • Component integration (Prisms, Beams, Lenses)
  • Signal handling capabilities

Signals

Detailed Guide

Signals are the communication protocol in Lux. They provide type-safe, schema-validated message passing between components. A signal consists of:

  • Unique identifier
  • Schema identifier
  • Validated content
  • Processing metadata

Signals ensure:

  • Type safety
  • Schema validation
  • Versioning
  • Compatibility checking
  • Structured communication

Prisms

Detailed Guide

Prisms are modular units of functionality that can be composed into workflows. They encapsulate:

  • Business logic
  • Data transformations
  • External integrations
  • Validation rules

Key features:

  • Input/output schemas
  • Handler functions
  • Error handling
  • Composability
  • Testing utilities

Beams

Detailed Guide

Beams are the orchestration layer of Lux. They compose other components into complex workflows, supporting:

  • Sequential execution
  • Parallel processing
  • Conditional branching
  • Error handling
  • State management
  • Logging and monitoring

A beam consists of:

  • Step sequences
  • Input/output schemas
  • Execution configuration
  • Error handling rules
  • Parameter passing

Lenses

Detailed Guide

Lenses provide structured interaction with external systems and APIs. They handle:

  • Authentication
  • Data transformation
  • Error handling
  • Response processing
  • Schema validation

Components:

  • URL endpoint
  • HTTP method configuration
  • Authentication setup
  • Schema validation
  • Response transformation

Companies

Detailed Guide

Companies organize agents into collaborative teams. They provide:

  • Role management
  • Capability registration
  • Objective tracking
  • Workflow coordination
  • Resource allocation

Key concepts:

  • CEO and member roles
  • Capability definitions
  • Objective specifications
  • Success criteria
  • Execution tracking

Component Interaction

These components interact in the following ways:

  1. Agent Communication

    • Agents exchange information via Signals
    • Signals ensure type-safe communication
    • Companies coordinate agent interactions

  2. Workflow Execution

    • Beams orchestrate complex workflows
    • Prisms provide modular functionality
    • Lenses connect to external systems

  3. State Management

    • Agents maintain internal state
    • Signals carry state changes
    • Companies track global state

  4. Error Handling

    • Each component handles errors appropriately
    • Errors propagate through the system
    • Recovery mechanisms exist at multiple levels

Best Practices

  1. Component Design

    • Keep components focused and modular
    • Use clear naming conventions
    • Document interfaces and behaviors
    • Follow language-specific guidelines

  2. Error Handling

    • Handle errors at appropriate levels
    • Provide meaningful error messages
    • Implement recovery strategies
    • Log errors with context

  3. Testing

    • Test components in isolation
    • Test component interactions
    • Use appropriate test types
    • Maintain test coverage

  4. Performance

    • Optimize cross-component communication
    • Use appropriate data structures
    • Consider resource usage
    • Monitor system performance

Language Support

Lux supports multiple programming languages:

  • Elixir: Core framework and coordination
  • Python: ML/AI tasks and data processing
  • Node.js: Web integration and text processing

Each language has specific guidelines and best practices detailed in:

Next Steps

  1. Follow the Getting Started Guide
  2. Try the Trading System Example
  3. Explore Multi-Agent Collaboration
  4. Learn about Running a Company
  5. Read our Testing Guide and Troubleshooting Guide