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

# Core Concepts

> Understand the fundamental building blocks of the Beam platform

Beam is built on key concepts that work together to create powerful AI automation. Understanding these fundamentals will help you build more effective agents and workflows.

## Agents

**Agents are autonomous AI systems** that execute tasks on your behalf. Each agent operates independently with:

* **Purpose**: Specific job or workflow designed to handle
* **Intelligence**: LLM-powered decision making and reasoning
* **Tools**: Access to integrations and capabilities
* **Memory**: Context awareness across tasks and conversations
* **Personality**: Configurable behavior and response style

Agents can handle complex workflows, learn from interactions, and adapt their behavior based on context and feedback.

## Flows (Graphs)

**Flows define the step-by-step logic** your agent follows to complete tasks. They are visual workflows represented as graphs with:

### Graph Components

* **Nodes**: Individual workflow steps with specific objectives
* **Edges**: Connections defining execution flow between nodes
* **Conditions**: Branching logic for dynamic workflows
* **Tools**: Actions performed at each node

### Node Types

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Start Node" icon="play">
    Entry point with trigger configuration (webhook, schedule, manual)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tool Nodes" icon="wrench">
    Execute specific actions using integrations or custom logic
  </Card>

  <Card title="Condition Nodes" icon="code-branch">
    Branching logic based on data or outcomes
  </Card>

  <Card title="End Node" icon="flag-checkered">
    Output generation and task completion
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Flows support linear sequences, conditional branches, parallel execution, and loops for complex automation patterns.

## Tools & Integrations

**Tools give your agents capabilities** to interact with external systems and perform actions:

### Tool Categories

**System Tools**: Built-in platform capabilities for database operations, file management, and communication

**Integration Tools**: Pre-built connectors for 1500+ services including Gmail, Salesforce, Slack, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365

**Custom Tools**: User-created business logic and proprietary algorithms tailored to specific needs

**AI-Generated Tools**: Tools created through natural language descriptions with automatic parameter detection

Tools handle authentication, rate limiting, error handling, and retry logic automatically.

## Tasks

**Tasks are execution instances** of your agent. When you run an agent:

### Task Lifecycle

<Steps>
  <Step title="Creation">
    Task is created with input data and initial state
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execution">
    Agent processes through its flow, executing tools at each node
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitoring">
    Real-time tracking of status, progress, and performance
  </Step>

  <Step title="Completion">
    Outputs are generated, stored, and made available
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Task States

* **PENDING**: Awaiting execution
* **RUNNING**: Currently processing
* **PAUSED**: Waiting for user input or consent
* **COMPLETED**: Successfully finished
* **FAILED**: Encountered error
* **CANCELLED**: User terminated

## Variables & State

**Variables maintain context** throughout your agent's execution:

* **Input Variables**: Data provided when starting a task
* **Intermediate Variables**: Values computed during execution
* **Output Variables**: Results returned to the user
* **Persistent State**: Memory carried across multiple tasks

Variables can be strings, numbers, objects, arrays, or structured data matching custom schemas.

## Memory System

**Memory enables agents to remember and learn** from interactions:

### Memory Types

**Short-term Memory**: Current task context and active conversation

**Long-term Memory**: Persistent knowledge accumulated over time

**Working Memory**: Active processing and temporary data

**Episodic Memory**: Sequences of events and past interactions

Memory uses vector embeddings for semantic search and intelligent retrieval of relevant context.

## Triggers

**Triggers define how agents start execution**:

| Trigger Type  | Description        | Use Case                                  |
| ------------- | ------------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Manual**    | Run on-demand      | Testing and one-off executions            |
| **Scheduled** | Run on a schedule  | Daily reports, batch processing           |
| **Webhook**   | Run via HTTP POST  | Event-driven automation, API integrations |
| **Email**     | Trigger from email | Customer inquiries, notifications         |

Triggers can include filters and conditions to process only relevant events.

## Workspaces

**Workspaces organize your team's automation**:

* **Shared Resources**: Agents, integrations, and tools accessible to team members
* **Access Control**: Role-based permissions (Admin, Editor, Viewer)
* **Centralized Management**: Billing, usage tracking, and settings
* **Multi-tenant Isolation**: Secure separation between workspaces

Workspaces enable collaboration while maintaining security and resource boundaries.

## Authentication & Integrations

**Beam handles authentication for all integrations**:

### Authentication Methods

* **OAuth 2.0**: Secure authorization for Google, Microsoft, Slack, and more
* **API Keys**: Direct API access with key management
* **Custom Auth**: Support for proprietary authentication schemes

Integration credentials are securely stored, automatically refreshed, and never exposed to agents.

## Platform Architecture

Beam consists of three interconnected components:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Studio V2" icon="desktop">
    Web-based interface for agent creation, workflow design, and monitoring
  </Card>

  <Card title="Beam API" icon="server">
    Core backend handling data, authentication, and orchestration
  </Card>

  <Card title="Agent OS" icon="microchip">
    Intelligent execution engine where agents operate and make decisions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Workspace Setup" icon="gear" href="/01-getting-started/workspace-setup/workspace-setup">
    Configure integrations and team access
  </Card>

  <Card title="Browse Templates" icon="grid" href="/01-getting-started/template-gallery/template-gallery">
    Start from pre-built agent templates
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build Agents" icon="wrench" href="/02-building-agents/agent-fundamentals/creating-agents/creating-agents">
    Create and configure custom agents
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/08-reference/api/overview/overview">
    Explore API documentation
  </Card>
</CardGroup>