> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ageneral.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Agents

> Managed agents, OpenClaw, channels, connectors, and Models access

An **agent** is a **project-scoped** resource for **long-running assistants and automation**. Attach **channels**, **connectors**, **secrets**, **skills**, and optional **scheduled tasks** when you run **OpenClaw**.

Use **agents** to:

* Expose assistants on **messaging channels** with gateway-managed configuration.
* Enable **catalog connectors** and **secrets** without embedding long-lived tokens in local files.
* Run **OpenClaw** workloads whose **Models** access is tied to the **project**.

## When to create an agent

Create an agent when you need **persistent** automation or conversations tied to **channels**, **connectors**, and **secrets** managed in Ageneral.

Do **not** create an agent solely to call **Models** from your own code. Use a **virtual key** and **`https://models.ageneral.ai`** instead.

## How agents access Models

| Caller                                                | Credential                                                            |
| ----------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Your application** calling **`models.ageneral.ai`** | **Virtual key** **`sk-bf-…`**                                         |
| **Agent runtime** managed by Ageneral                 | **Infrastructure credentials**; **no** additional Models key to paste |

Both paths bill against **project** rules for **Models** usage.

Treat **virtual keys** as secrets. Rotate them after personnel changes or suspected compromise.

## OpenClaw

Enable **OpenClaw** on an agent to run the **gateway** stack documented under [OpenClaw runtime](/guides/agents/openclaw).

## Concept guides

| Topic            | Guide                                       |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Gateway overview | [OpenClaw runtime](/guides/agents/openclaw) |
| Skills           | [Skills](/guides/agents/skills)             |
| Channels         | [Channels](/guides/agents/channels)         |
| Connectors       | [Connectors](/guides/agents/connectors)     |
| Cron jobs        | [Cron jobs](/guides/agents/cron-jobs)       |
| Secrets          | [Secrets](/guides/agents/secrets)           |
| Agent pricing    | [Pricing](/guides/agents/pricing)           |

## Next steps

* [Authentication](/authentication)
* [Quickstart](/quickstart)
* **API reference** → **Agents**