Python: Add propagate_session to as_tool() for session sharing in agent-as-tool scenarios (#4439)

* Python: Add propagate_session parameter to as_tool() for session sharing

Add opt-in session propagation in agent-as-tool scenarios. When
propagate_session=True, the parent agent's AgentSession is forwarded
to the sub-agent's run() call, allowing both agents to share session
state (history, metadata, session_id).

- Add propagate_session parameter to BaseAgent.as_tool() (default False)
- Include session in additional_function_arguments so it flows to tools
- Add 3 tests for propagation on/off and shared state verification
- Add sample showing session propagation with observability middleware

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

* Clarify propagate_session docstring per review feedback

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

---------

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

Author: giles17

python/packages/core/agent_framework/_agents.py

@@ -454,6 +454,7 @@ def as_tool(
         stream_callback: Callable[[AgentResponseUpdate], None]
         | Callable[[AgentResponseUpdate], Awaitable[None]]
         | None = None,
+        propagate_session: bool = False,
     ) -> FunctionTool:
         """Create a FunctionTool that wraps this agent.
 
@@ -464,6 +465,12 @@ def as_tool(
             arg_description: The description for the function argument.
                 If None, defaults to "Task for {tool_name}".
             stream_callback: Optional callback for streaming responses. If provided, uses run(..., stream=True).
+            propagate_session: If True, the parent agent's ``AgentSession`` is
+                forwarded to this sub-agent's ``run()`` call, so both agents
+                operate within the same logical session (sharing the same
+                ``session_id`` and provider-managed state, such as any stored
+                conversation history or metadata). Defaults to False, meaning
+                the sub-agent runs with a new, independent session.
 
         Returns:
             A FunctionTool that can be used as a tool by other agents.
@@ -480,9 +487,12 @@ def as_tool(
                 # Create an agent
                 agent = Agent(client=client, name="research-agent", description="Performs research tasks")
 
-                # Convert the agent to a tool
+                # Convert the agent to a tool (independent session)
                 research_tool = agent.as_tool()
 
+                # Convert the agent to a tool (shared session with parent)
+                research_tool = agent.as_tool(propagate_session=True)
+
                 # Use the tool with another agent
                 coordinator = Agent(client=client, name="coordinator", tools=research_tool)
         """
@@ -509,16 +519,21 @@ async def agent_wrapper(**kwargs: Any) -> str:
             # Extract the input from kwargs using the specified arg_name
             input_text = kwargs.get(arg_name, "")
 
-            # Forward runtime context kwargs, excluding arg_name and conversation_id.
-            forwarded_kwargs = {k: v for k, v in kwargs.items() if k not in (arg_name, "conversation_id", "options")}
+            # Extract parent session when propagate_session is enabled
+            parent_session = kwargs.get("session") if propagate_session else None
+
+            # Forward runtime context kwargs, excluding framework-internal keys.
+            forwarded_kwargs = {
+                k: v for k, v in kwargs.items() if k not in (arg_name, "conversation_id", "options", "session")
+            }
 
             if stream_callback is None:
                 # Use non-streaming mode
-                return (await self.run(input_text, stream=False, **forwarded_kwargs)).text
+                return (await self.run(input_text, stream=False, session=parent_session, **forwarded_kwargs)).text
 
             # Use streaming mode - accumulate updates and create final response
             response_updates: list[AgentResponseUpdate] = []
-            async for update in self.run(input_text, stream=True, **forwarded_kwargs):
+            async for update in self.run(input_text, stream=True, session=parent_session, **forwarded_kwargs):
                 response_updates.append(update)
                 if is_async_callback:
                     await stream_callback(update)  # type: ignore[misc]
@@ -1061,6 +1076,9 @@ async def _prepare_run_context(
         # in function middleware context and tool invocation.
         existing_additional_args = opts.pop("additional_function_arguments", None) or {}
         additional_function_arguments = {**kwargs, **existing_additional_args}
+        # Include session so as_tool() wrappers with propagate_session=True can access it.
+        if active_session is not None:
+            additional_function_arguments["session"] = active_session
 
         # Build options dict from run() options merged with provided options
         run_opts: dict[str, Any] = {

python/packages/core/tests/core/test_agents.py

@@ -707,6 +707,81 @@ async def test_chat_agent_as_tool_name_sanitization(client: SupportsChatGetRespo
         assert tool.name == expected_tool_name, f"Expected {expected_tool_name}, got {tool.name} for input {agent_name}"
 
 
+async def test_chat_agent_as_tool_propagate_session_true(client: SupportsChatGetResponse) -> None:
+    """Test that propagate_session=True forwards the parent's session to the sub-agent."""
+    agent = Agent(client=client, name="SubAgent", description="Sub agent")
+    tool = agent.as_tool(propagate_session=True)
+
+    parent_session = AgentSession(session_id="parent-session-123")
+    parent_session.state["shared_key"] = "shared_value"
+
+    # Spy on the agent's run method to capture the session argument
+    original_run = agent.run
+    captured_session = None
+
+    def capturing_run(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
+        nonlocal captured_session
+        captured_session = kwargs.get("session")
+        return original_run(*args, **kwargs)
+
+    agent.run = capturing_run  # type: ignore[assignment, method-assign]
+
+    await tool.invoke(arguments=tool.input_model(task="Hello"), session=parent_session)
+
+    assert captured_session is parent_session
+    assert captured_session.session_id == "parent-session-123"
+    assert captured_session.state["shared_key"] == "shared_value"
+
+
+async def test_chat_agent_as_tool_propagate_session_false_by_default(client: SupportsChatGetResponse) -> None:
+    """Test that propagate_session defaults to False and does not forward the session."""
+    agent = Agent(client=client, name="SubAgent", description="Sub agent")
+    tool = agent.as_tool()  # default: propagate_session=False
+
+    parent_session = AgentSession(session_id="parent-session-456")
+
+    original_run = agent.run
+    captured_session = None
+
+    def capturing_run(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
+        nonlocal captured_session
+        captured_session = kwargs.get("session")
+        return original_run(*args, **kwargs)
+
+    agent.run = capturing_run  # type: ignore[assignment, method-assign]
+
+    await tool.invoke(arguments=tool.input_model(task="Hello"), session=parent_session)
+
+    assert captured_session is None
+
+
+async def test_chat_agent_as_tool_propagate_session_shares_state(client: SupportsChatGetResponse) -> None:
+    """Test that shared session allows the sub-agent to read and write parent's state."""
+    agent = Agent(client=client, name="SubAgent", description="Sub agent")
+    tool = agent.as_tool(propagate_session=True)
+
+    parent_session = AgentSession(session_id="shared-session")
+    parent_session.state["counter"] = 0
+
+    # The sub-agent receives the same session object, so mutations are shared
+    original_run = agent.run
+    captured_session = None
+
+    def capturing_run(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
+        nonlocal captured_session
+        captured_session = kwargs.get("session")
+        if captured_session:
+            captured_session.state["counter"] += 1
+        return original_run(*args, **kwargs)
+
+    agent.run = capturing_run  # type: ignore[assignment, method-assign]
+
+    await tool.invoke(arguments=tool.input_model(task="Hello"), session=parent_session)
+
+    # The parent's state should reflect the sub-agent's mutation
+    assert parent_session.state["counter"] == 1
+
+
 async def test_chat_agent_as_mcp_server_basic(client: SupportsChatGetResponse) -> None:
     """Test basic as_mcp_server functionality."""
     agent = Agent(client=client, name="TestAgent", description="Test agent for MCP")

python/samples/02-agents/tools/agent_as_tool_with_session_propagation.py

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+# Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
+
+import asyncio
+from collections.abc import Awaitable, Callable
+
+from agent_framework import AgentContext, AgentSession
+from agent_framework.openai import OpenAIResponsesClient
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+
+load_dotenv()
+
+"""
+Agent-as-Tool: Session Propagation Example
+
+Demonstrates how to share an AgentSession between a coordinator agent and a
+sub-agent invoked as a tool using ``propagate_session=True``.
+
+When session propagation is enabled, both agents share the same session object,
+including session_id and the mutable state dict.  This allows correlated
+conversation tracking and shared state across the agent hierarchy.
+
+The middleware functions below are purely for observability — they are NOT
+required for session propagation to work.
+"""
+
+
+async def log_session(
+    context: AgentContext,
+    call_next: Callable[[], Awaitable[None]],
+) -> None:
+    """Agent middleware that logs the session received by each agent.
+
+    NOT required for session propagation — only used to observe the flow.
+    If propagation is working, both agents will show the same session_id.
+    """
+    session: AgentSession | None = context.session
+    agent_name = context.agent.name or "unknown"
+    session_id = session.session_id if session else None
+    state = dict(session.state) if session else {}
+    print(f"  [{agent_name}] session_id={session_id}, state={state}")
+    await call_next()
+
+
+async def main() -> None:
+    print("=== Agent-as-Tool: Session Propagation ===\n")
+
+    client = OpenAIResponsesClient()
+
+    # --- Sub-agent: a research specialist ---
+    # The sub-agent has the same log_session middleware to prove it receives the session.
+    research_agent = client.as_agent(
+        name="ResearchAgent",
+        instructions="You are a research assistant. Provide concise answers.",
+        middleware=[log_session],
+    )
+
+    # propagate_session=True: the coordinator's session will be forwarded
+    research_tool = research_agent.as_tool(
+        name="research",
+        description="Research a topic and return findings",
+        arg_name="query",
+        arg_description="The research query",
+        propagate_session=True,
+    )
+
+    # --- Coordinator agent ---
+    coordinator = client.as_agent(
+        name="CoordinatorAgent",
+        instructions="You coordinate research. Use the 'research' tool to look up information.",
+        tools=[research_tool],
+        middleware=[log_session],
+    )
+
+    # Create a shared session and put some state in it
+    session = coordinator.create_session()
+    session.state["request_source"] = "demo"
+    print(f"Session ID: {session.session_id}")
+    print(f"Session state before run: {session.state}\n")
+
+    query = "What are the latest developments in quantum computing?"
+    print(f"User: {query}\n")
+
+    result = await coordinator.run(query, session=session)
+
+    print(f"\nCoordinator: {result}\n")
+    print(f"Session state after run: {session.state}")
+    print(
+        "\nIf both agents show the same session_id above, session propagation is working."
+    )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    asyncio.run(main())