Add support for commands in the CLI/TUI/API

cagent-schema.json

@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
     "version": {
       "type": "string",
       "description": "Configuration version",
-      "enum": ["2"],
-      "examples": ["2"]
+      "enum": ["1", "2", "v1", "v2"],
+      "examples": ["1", "2", "v1", "v2"]
     },
     "agents": {
       "type": "object",
@@ -93,6 +93,22 @@
           "items": {
             "type": "string"
           }
+        },
+        "commands": {
+          "description": "Named prompts for quick-start commands used with --command/-c",
+          "oneOf": [
+            {
+              "type": "object",
+              "additionalProperties": { "type": "string" }
+            },
+            {
+              "type": "array",
+              "items": {
+                "type": "object",
+                "additionalProperties": { "type": "string" }
+              }
+            }
+          ]
         }
       },
       "additionalProperties": false

cmd/root/run.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"os/signal"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/docker/cagent/pkg/app"
 	"github.com/docker/cagent/pkg/chat"
+	"github.com/docker/cagent/pkg/config"
 	"github.com/docker/cagent/pkg/content"
 	"github.com/docker/cagent/pkg/evaluation"
 	"github.com/docker/cagent/pkg/remote"
@@ -40,8 +42,11 @@ var (
 	useTUI         bool
 	remoteAddress  string
 	dryRun         bool
+	commandName    string
 )
 
+const commandListSentinel = "__LIST__"
+
 // NewRunCmd creates a new run command
 func NewRunCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
@@ -64,6 +69,11 @@ func NewRunCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	cmd.PersistentFlags().StringVar(&attachmentPath, "attach", "", "Attach an image file to the message")
 	cmd.PersistentFlags().BoolVar(&useTUI, "tui", true, "Run the agent with a Terminal User Interface (TUI)")
 	cmd.PersistentFlags().StringVar(&remoteAddress, "remote", "", "Use remote runtime with specified address (only supported with TUI)")
+	cmd.PersistentFlags().StringVarP(&commandName, "command", "c", "", "Run a named command from the agent's commands section")
+	if f := cmd.PersistentFlags().Lookup("command"); f != nil {
+		// Allow `-c` without value to list available commands
+		f.NoOptDefVal = commandListSentinel
+	}
 	addGatewayFlags(cmd)
 
 	return cmd
@@ -200,6 +210,52 @@ func doRunCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string, exec bool) error {
 		slog.Debug("Skipping local agent file loading for remote runtime", "filename", agentFilename)
 	}
 
+	// Resolve --command/-c into a first message if provided
+	var commandFirstMessage *string
+	if trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(commandName); trimmed != "" {
+		// Handle listing commands when -c is provided without a value
+		if trimmed == commandListSentinel {
+			// If the next positional arg looks like a value (not a flag), treat it as the command value.
+			if len(args) == 2 && !strings.HasPrefix(args[1], "-") {
+				trimmed = args[1]
+				// consume the positional so it won't be treated as a message later
+				args = args[:1]
+			} else {
+				cmds, err := getCommandsForAgent(agentFilename, remoteAddress != "", agents, agentName)
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				if len(cmds) == 0 {
+					return fmt.Errorf("No commands defined for agent '%s'.", agentName)
+				}
+				printAvailableCommands(agentName, cmds)
+				fmt.Println()
+				return nil
+			}
+		}
+
+		if len(args) == 2 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("cannot use --command (-c) together with a message argument")
+		}
+
+		cmds, err := getCommandsForAgent(agentFilename, remoteAddress != "", agents, agentName)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if len(cmds) == 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("agent '%s' has no commands", agentName)
+		}
+		if msg, ok := cmds[trimmed]; ok {
+			commandFirstMessage = &msg
+		} else {
+			var names []string
+			for k := range cmds {
+				names = append(names, k)
+			}
+			return fmt.Errorf("'%s' is an unknown command.\n\nAvailable: %s", trimmed, strings.Join(names, ", "))
+		}
+	}
+
 	// Validate remote flag usage
 	if remoteAddress != "" && (!useTUI || exec) {
 		return fmt.Errorf("--remote flag can only be used with TUI mode")
@@ -267,6 +323,10 @@ func doRunCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string, exec bool) error {
 
 	// For `cagent run --tui=false`
 	if !useTUI {
+		// Inject first message for non-TUI if --command was used
+		if commandFirstMessage != nil {
+			args = []string{args[0], *commandFirstMessage}
+		}
 		return runWithoutTUI(ctx, agentFilename, rt, sess, args)
 	}
 
@@ -286,6 +346,11 @@ func doRunCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string, exec bool) error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Override firstMessage if --command was provided (cannot be combined with a message arg)
+	if commandFirstMessage != nil {
+		firstMessage = commandFirstMessage
+	}
+
 	a := app.New("cagent", agentFilename, rt, agents, sess, firstMessage)
 	m := tui.New(a)
 
@@ -767,3 +832,50 @@ func fileToDataURL(filePath string) (string, error) {
 
 	return dataURL, nil
 }
+
+// getCommandsForAgent returns the commands map for the selected agent,
+// loading from the in-memory team for local runs or from the YAML file for remote runs.
+func getCommandsForAgent(agentFilename string, isRemote bool, agents *team.Team, agentName string) (map[string]string, error) {
+	if !isRemote {
+		if agents == nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to load agent team")
+		}
+		ag := agents.Agent(agentName)
+		if ag == nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("agent not found: %s", agentName)
+		}
+		return ag.Commands(), nil
+	}
+
+	parentDir := filepath.Dir(agentFilename)
+	fileName := filepath.Base(agentFilename)
+	root, err := os.OpenRoot(parentDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to open root: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := root.Close(); err != nil {
+			slog.Error("Failed to close root", "error", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	cfg, err := config.LoadConfig(fileName, root)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to load agent config: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return map[string]string(cfg.Agents[agentName].Commands), nil
+}
+
+// printAvailableCommands pretty-prints the agent's commands sorted by name.
+func printAvailableCommands(agentName string, cmds map[string]string) {
+	fmt.Printf("Available commands for agent '%s':\n", agentName)
+	var names []string
+	for k := range cmds {
+		names = append(names, k)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+	for _, n := range names {
+		fmt.Printf(" - %s: %s\n", n, cmds[n])
+	}
+}

docs/USAGE.md

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ $ cagent run config.yaml -a agent_name    # Run a specific agent
 $ cagent run config.yaml --debug          # Enable debug logging
 $ cagent run config.yaml --yolo           # Auto-accept all the tool calls
 $ cagent run config.yaml "First message"  # Start the conversation with the agent with a first message
+$ cagent run config.yaml -c df            # Run with a named command from YAML
 
 # One off without TUI
 $ cagent exec config.yaml                 # Run the agent once, with default instructions
@@ -76,17 +77,18 @@ During CLI sessions, you can use special commands:
 
 ### Agent Properties
 
-| Property               | Type    | Description                                                     | Required |
-|------------------------|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|----------|
-| `name`                 | string  | Agent identifier                                                | ✓        |
-| `model`                | string  | Model reference                                                 | ✓        |
-| `description`          | string  | Agent purpose                                                   | ✓        |
-| `instruction`          | string  | Detailed behavior instructions                                  | ✓        |
-| `sub_agents`           | array   | List of sub-agent names                                         | ✗        |
-| `toolsets`             | array   | Available tools                                                 | ✗        |
-| `add_date`             | boolean | Add current date to context                                     | ✗        |
-| `add_environment_info` | boolean | Add information about the environment (working dir, OS, git...) | ✗        |
-| `max_iterations`       | int     | Specifies how many times the agent can loop when using tools    | ✗        |
+| Property               | Type         | Description                                                     | Required |
+|------------------------|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|----------|
+| `name`                 | string       | Agent identifier                                                | ✓        |
+| `model`                | string       | Model reference                                                 | ✓        |
+| `description`          | string       | Agent purpose                                                   | ✓        |
+| `instruction`          | string       | Detailed behavior instructions                                  | ✓        |
+| `sub_agents`           | array        | List of sub-agent names                                         | ✗        |
+| `toolsets`             | array        | Available tools                                                 | ✗        |
+| `add_date`             | boolean      | Add current date to context                                     | ✗        |
+| `add_environment_info` | boolean      | Add information about the environment (working dir, OS, git...) | ✗        |
+| `max_iterations`       | int          | Specifies how many times the agent can loop when using tools    | ✗        |
+| `commands`             | object/array | Named prompts for quick-start commands (used with `--command`)  | ✗        |
 
 #### Example
 
@@ -101,6 +103,33 @@ agents:
     add_date: boolean # Add current date to context (optional)
     add_environment_info: boolean # Add information about the environment (working dir, OS, git...) (optional)
     max_iterations: int # How many times this agent can loop when calling tools (optional, default = unlimited)
+    commands: # Either mapping or list of singleton maps
+      df: "check how much free space i have on my disk"
+      ls: "list the files in the current directory"
+```
+
+### Running with named commands
+
+- Use `--command` (or `-c`) to send a predefined prompt from the agent config as the first message.
+- Example YAML forms supported:
+
+```yaml
+commands:
+  df: "check how much free space i have on my disk"
+  ls: "list the files in the current directory"
+```
+
+```yaml
+commands:
+  - df: "check how much free space i have on my disk"
+  - ls: "list the files in the current directory"
+```
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+cagent run ./agent.yaml -c df
+cagent run ./agent.yaml --command ls
 ```
 
 ### Model Properties

pkg/agent/agent.go

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ type Agent struct {
 	addPromptFiles     []string
 	toolWrapper        toolWrapper
 	memoryManager      memorymanager.Manager
+	commands           map[string]string
 }
 
 // New creates a new agent
@@ -145,6 +146,11 @@ func (a *Agent) ToolSets() []tools.ToolSet {
 	return a.toolsets
 }
 
+// Commands returns the named commands configured for this agent.
+func (a *Agent) Commands() map[string]string {
+	return a.commands
+}
+
 func (a *Agent) ensureToolSetsAreStarted() error {
 	a.toolsetsMutex.Lock()
 	defer a.toolsetsMutex.Unlock()

pkg/agent/opts.go

@@ -90,3 +90,9 @@ func WithNumHistoryItems(numHistoryItems int) Opt {
 		a.numHistoryItems = numHistoryItems
 	}
 }
+
+func WithCommands(commands map[string]string) Opt {
+	return func(a *Agent) {
+		a.commands = commands
+	}
+}

pkg/config/commands_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestV2Commands_AllForms(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, err := LoadConfig("commands_v2.yaml", openRoot(t, "testdata"))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	// map form
+	cmdsMap := cfg.Agents["root"].Commands
+	require.Equal(t, "check disk", cmdsMap["df"])
+	require.Equal(t, "list files", cmdsMap["ls"])
+	// list form
+	cmdsList := cfg.Agents["another_agent"].Commands
+	require.Equal(t, "check disk", cmdsList["df"])
+	require.Equal(t, "list files", cmdsList["ls"])
+	// none
+	require.Empty(t, cfg.Agents["none_agent"].Commands)
+}
+
+func TestMigrate_v1_Commands_AllForms(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, err := LoadConfig("commands_v1.yaml", openRoot(t, "testdata"))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	// map form
+	cmdsMap := cfg.Agents["root"].Commands
+	require.Equal(t, "check disk", cmdsMap["df"])
+	require.Equal(t, "list files", cmdsMap["ls"])
+	// list form
+	cmdsList := cfg.Agents["another_agent"].Commands
+	require.Equal(t, "check disk", cmdsList["df"])
+	require.Equal(t, "list files", cmdsList["ls"])
+	// none
+	require.Empty(t, cfg.Agents["yet_another_agent"].Commands)
+}
+
+func TestMigrate_v0_Commands_AllForms(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg, err := LoadConfig("commands_v0.yaml", openRoot(t, "testdata"))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	// map form
+	cmdsMap := cfg.Agents["root"].Commands
+	require.Equal(t, "check disk", cmdsMap["df"])
+	require.Equal(t, "list files", cmdsMap["ls"])
+	// list form
+	cmdsList := cfg.Agents["another_agent"].Commands
+	require.Equal(t, "check disk", cmdsList["df"])
+	require.Equal(t, "list files", cmdsList["ls"])
+	// none
+	require.Empty(t, cfg.Agents["yet_another_agent"].Commands)
+}

pkg/config/testdata/commands_v0.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+agents:
+
+  root:
+    model: openai/gpt-4o
+    instruction: you are a helpful computer assistant
+    commands:
+      df: "check disk"
+      ls: "list files"
+
+  another_agent:
+    model: openai/gpt-4o
+    instruction: you are a helpful computer assistant
+    commands:
+      - df: "check disk"
+      - ls: "list files"
+
+  yet_another_agent:
+    model: openai/gpt-4o
+    instruction: you are a helpful computer assistant

pkg/config/testdata/commands_v1.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+version: "1"
+
+agents:
+
+  root:
+    model: openai/gpt-4o
+    instruction: you are a helpful computer assistant
+    commands:
+      df: "check disk"
+      ls: "list files"
+
+  another_agent:
+    model: openai/gpt-4o
+    instruction: you are a helpful computer assistant
+    commands:
+      - df: "check disk"
+      - ls: "list files"
+
+  yet_another_agent:
+    model: openai/gpt-4o
+    instruction: you are a helpful computer assistant