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

# Agents vs Prompts

> Understanding the differences between Agents and Prompts in the Swarms Marketplace

The Swarms Marketplace offers two primary product types: **Agents** and **Prompts**. While both are designed to enhance AI capabilities, they serve different purposes and have distinct features.

***

## Quick Comparison

| Feature | Agents | Prompts |
| - | - | - |
| **Code** | ✅ Contains executable code | ❌ No code |
| **Requirements** | ✅ Package dependencies | ❌ None |
| **Environment Variables** | ✅ Configurable | ❌ None |
| **Export to ChatGPT** | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available |
| **Export to Claude** | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available |
| **View Modes** | Overview, JSON Metadata | Chat, Preview, Markdown, Text, Framework, API |
| **Downloadable Files** | ✅ Code files | ❌ Text only |

***

## Agents

Agents are **autonomous AI entities with executable code**. They contain implementation logic that can be run, configured, and integrated into your applications.

### Key Features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Executable Code" icon="code">
    Agents include actual code (Python, JavaScript, etc.) that implements the agent's logic and behaviors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Package Requirements" icon="box">
    Agents specify their dependencies, showing which packages need to be installed (e.g., `pip install swarms`).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Environment Variables" icon="key">
    Agents can require environment variables for API keys and configuration.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Downloadable Files" icon="download">
    Download the agent's code files directly from the marketplace.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Agent Page Sections

When viewing an agent in the marketplace, you'll see:

* **Overview** - Description, use cases, and general information
* **JSON Metadata** - Structured data about the agent
* **Requirements** - List of packages and installation commands
* **Environment Variables** - Required configuration variables
* **Agent Code** - The full implementation code with syntax highlighting

### Best For

* Complex automation tasks
* Multi-step workflows
* Integration with external APIs and tools
* Custom logic and behaviors
* Reusable code components

***

## Prompts

Prompts are **system prompt templates without any code**. They define how an AI should behave, respond, and process information through natural language instructions.

### Key Features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="No Code Required" icon="file-lines">
    Prompts are pure text instructions—no programming knowledge needed to use them.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export to ChatGPT" icon="arrow-up-right-from-square">
    One-click export to use the prompt directly in ChatGPT.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export to Claude" icon="arrow-up-right-from-square">
    One-click export to use the prompt directly in Claude.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multiple View Modes" icon="eye">
    View prompts in different formats: Chat, Preview, Markdown, Text, Framework, or API.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Prompt Page Sections

When viewing a prompt in the marketplace, you'll see:

* **Main Prompt** - The full prompt text with multiple view options:
  * **Chat** - Interactive chat preview
  * **Preview** - Formatted preview
  * **Markdown** - Raw markdown format
  * **Text** - Plain text format
  * **Framework** - Format for Swarms Framework integration
  * **API** - Format for API integration

### Export to AI Platforms

Prompts include an **"Export to AI"** feature that allows you to:

* Export directly to **ChatGPT** for immediate use
* Export directly to **Claude** for immediate use

This makes it easy to try prompts across different AI platforms without manual copying.

### Best For

* System prompts for AI assistants
* Persona definitions
* Task-specific instructions
* Role-playing scenarios
* Structured output templates

***

## When to Use Each

### Choose Agents When:

* You need custom logic and automation
* Your solution requires specific packages or dependencies
* You want to run code locally or in your infrastructure
* You're building complex multi-agent workflows
* You need integration with external APIs or databases

### Choose Prompts When:

* You want to define AI behavior without coding
* You need portable instructions that work across platforms
* You want to quickly test prompts in ChatGPT or Claude
* You're creating persona or role definitions
* You want to share prompt engineering techniques

***

## Availability Across Platforms

### Agents

Agents are available through:

* **Swarms Python Framework** - Import and run directly
* **Swarms API** - Access via REST API

### Prompts

Prompts are available through:

* **Swarms Python Framework** - Use as system prompts
* **Swarms API** - Query and retrieve via REST API
* **Swarms Chat** - Use directly in the chat interface
* **ChatGPT** - Export and use
* **Claude** - Export and use

***

## Examples

### Agent Example

An agent like "ETF Analysis BatchedGridWorkflow" includes:

* Python code for risk analysis and quantitative evaluation
* Requirements: `swarms`, `httpx`
* Environment variables: `SWARMS_API_KEY`
* Downloadable `main.py` file

### Prompt Example

A prompt like "Medical Researcher System Prompt" includes:

* Detailed instructions for clinical research analysis
* Multiple view formats (Chat, Markdown, Text, etc.)
* Export options to ChatGPT and Claude
* No code or dependencies

***

## Summary

<Info>
  **Agents** = Code + Logic + Dependencies → For developers building automated solutions

  **Prompts** = Instructions + Templates → For anyone defining AI behavior without code
</Info>

Both product types can be tokenized on the marketplace and are subject to the same quality validation process. Choose the type that best fits your needs and technical requirements.


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