afv-library/skills/developing-agentforce/assets/patterns/critical-input-collection.agent

# Critical Input Collection Pattern
# Ensures reliable capture of critical data before proceeding with workflows
#
# ★ Problem This Solves:
#   - LLM sends empty JSON to actions
#   - LLM sends wrong field names (_id instead of account_id)
#   - LLM extracts wrong values from conversation
#   - Agent proceeds without required data, causing crashes
#
# ★ Root Cause:
#   Slot filling (`with account_id=...`) relies on LLM inference, which is
#   probabilistic and can fail in subtle ways. Critical inputs need
#   deterministic collection with validation.
#
# ★ Key Patterns:
#   1. First-Interaction Collection - Tell LLM its PRIMARY GOAL
#   2. Variable Setter Action - Dedicated action to capture + validate + store
#   3. Single-Use Pattern - `available when @var == ""` disables after use
#   4. Null Guard Pattern - Block ALL downstream actions until input is valid
#   5. Explicit Action References - Guide LLM with `{!@actions.x}` in instructions
#
# ★ When To Use This Pattern:
#   - Workflows that REQUIRE a specific ID (account, order, case, etc.)
#   - When slot filling has been unreliable
#   - When invalid input causes downstream failures
#   - Multi-subagent agents where input must persist across transitions
#
# This is a COMPLETE template - customize for your use case

system:
	instructions: "You are a research assistant. Your PRIMARY GOAL is to collect the account ID before performing any research. Never proceed without a validated account ID."
	messages:
		welcome: "Hello! I can help you research account information. Please provide the account ID to get started."
		error: "I encountered an issue. Let me try again."

config:
	agent_name: "Account_Research_Agent"
	default_agent_user: "agent@company.salesforce.com"
	agent_label: "Account Research Agent"
	description: "Demonstrates critical input collection patterns for reliable slot filling"

variables:
	# Standard linked variables (required)
	EndUserId: linked string
		source: @MessagingSession.MessagingEndUserId
		description: "Messaging End User ID"
	RoutableId: linked string
		source: @MessagingSession.Id
		description: "Messaging Session ID"
	ContactId: linked string
		source: @MessagingEndUser.ContactId
		description: "Contact ID"

	# ★ CRITICAL INPUT - The value that MUST be collected before proceeding
	account_id: mutable string = ""
		description: "The Salesforce Account ID (18-char, starts with 001) - MUST be collected and validated before any research"

	# ★ VALIDATION STATE - Track whether input has been validated
	account_id_validated: mutable boolean = False
		description: "Whether account_id has been validated as a real Salesforce ID"

	# ★ COLLECTION ATTEMPTS - Track retries to prevent infinite loops
	collection_attempts: mutable number = 0
		description: "Number of times we've tried to collect account_id"

	# Research results
	account_name: mutable string = ""
		description: "Name of the account (from lookup)"
	research_summary: mutable string = ""
		description: "Research summary for the account"

language:
	default_locale: "en_US"
	additional_locales: ""
	all_additional_locales: False

# ★ ENTRY POINT: Input Collection Subagent
# This subagent's ONLY job is to collect and validate the critical input
start_agent input_collector:
	label: "Input Collector"
	description: "Collects and validates the account ID before allowing research"

	actions:
		# ★ PATTERN 2: Variable Setter Action
		# Dedicated action that captures, validates, and stores the input
		capture_account_id:
			description: "Captures and validates the Salesforce Account ID from user input"
			inputs:
				account_id: string
					description: "The 18-character Salesforce Account ID provided by the user (format: starts with '001')"
					is_required: True
			outputs:
				validated_account_id: string
					description: "The validated account ID (empty if invalid)"
				is_valid: boolean
					description: "True if the account ID is valid and exists"
				account_name: string
					description: "Name of the account if found"
				error_message: string
					description: "Error message if validation failed"
			target: "flow://Validate_Account_Id"
			require_user_confirmation: False
			include_in_progress_indicator: True
			progress_indicator_message: "Validating account ID..."

	reasoning:
		# ★ PATTERN 1: First-Interaction Collection
		# Tell the LLM its PRIMARY GOAL is to collect the input
		instructions: ->
			| YOUR PRIMARY GOAL: Collect the account ID from the user.
			|
			| CURRENT STATE:
			if @variables.account_id == "":
				| ⚠️ Account ID NOT YET COLLECTED
				| ASK the user for their Salesforce Account ID.
				| The ID should be 18 characters and start with "001".
				|
				| Example prompt: "Please provide the Account ID you'd like me to research."

			if @variables.account_id != "" and @variables.account_id_validated == False:
				| 🔄 Account ID received: {!@variables.account_id}
				| Attempting validation...
				|
				| Use {!@actions.capture_account_id} to validate this ID.

			if @variables.account_id_validated == True:
				| ✅ Account ID validated: {!@variables.account_id}
				| Account Name: {!@variables.account_name}
				|
				| Transition to research subagent to begin analysis.

			if @variables.collection_attempts > 2 and @variables.account_id_validated == False:
				| ❌ Multiple validation failures.
				| Ask the user to verify their Account ID is correct.
				| Suggest they check Salesforce for the correct ID format.

		actions:
			# ★ PATTERN 3: Single-Use Pattern
			# Action becomes unavailable once account_id is successfully captured
			validate_id: @actions.capture_account_id
				with account_id=...
				set @variables.account_id = @outputs.validated_account_id
				set @variables.account_id_validated = @outputs.is_valid
				set @variables.account_name = @outputs.account_name
				set @variables.collection_attempts = @variables.collection_attempts + 1
				# ★ SINGLE-USE: Unavailable once validated
				available when @variables.account_id_validated == False

			# ★ PATTERN 4: Null Guard Pattern
			# Transition ONLY available when input is validated
			go_research: @utils.transition to @subagent.research
				available when @variables.account_id_validated == True

# ★ RESEARCH SUBAGENT: Only accessible after input is validated
subagent research:
	label: "Account Research"
	description: "Performs research on the validated account"

	actions:
		# Research action that USES the validated account_id
		research_account:
			description: "Performs detailed research on the account"
			inputs:
				account_id: string
					description: "The validated account ID"
					is_required: True
			outputs:
				research_summary: string
					description: "Summary of research findings"
				signal_summary: string
					description: "Key signals detected"
			target: "flow://Research_Account"
			include_in_progress_indicator: True
			progress_indicator_message: "Researching account..."

	reasoning:
		instructions: ->
			| Researching account: {!@variables.account_name} ({!@variables.account_id})
			|
			if @variables.research_summary == "":
				| Use {!@actions.research_account} to analyze this account.
			if @variables.research_summary != "":
				| Research complete!
				| {!@variables.research_summary}

		actions:
			# ★ PATTERN 4: Null Guard - Uses variable binding, NOT slot filling
			# This ensures the validated ID is used, not LLM re-extraction
			do_research: @actions.research_account
				with account_id=@variables.account_id
				set @variables.research_summary = @outputs.research_summary
				# ★ GUARD: Only available if we have validated ID (defensive)
				available when @variables.account_id_validated == True
				available when @variables.research_summary == ""

			# Return to collector for new account
			new_account: @utils.transition to @subagent.input_collector
				available when @variables.research_summary != ""

# ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
# ★ INSIGHTS: Critical Input Collection
# ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
#
# WHY SLOT FILLING FAILS:
#   The `...` syntax relies on LLM to extract values from conversation.
#   This is probabilistic and can fail when:
#   - User provides ID in unexpected format
#   - Multiple IDs mentioned in conversation
#   - LLM abbreviates or modifies field names
#   - Context window is cluttered with other data
#
# THE SOLUTION: DETERMINISTIC COLLECTION
#   Instead of `with account_id=...` on EVERY action:
#   1. Collect ONCE with a dedicated setter action
#   2. Validate BEFORE storing
#   3. Store in variable: `set @variables.account_id = @outputs.validated_id`
#   4. Use variable binding: `with account_id=@variables.account_id`
#   5. Guard all actions: `available when @variables.account_id_validated == True`
#
# PATTERN SUMMARY:
#
# ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
# │                CRITICAL INPUT COLLECTION FLOW                    │
# ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
# │                                                                  │
# │  User provides ID    ────►  Setter Action (slot fills once)      │
# │                              │                                   │
# │                              ▼                                   │
# │                          Validation                              │
# │                              │                                   │
# │                    ┌────────┴────────┐                          │
# │                    ▼                 ▼                          │
# │               Valid               Invalid                       │
# │                 │                    │                          │
# │    set @variables.account_id     Ask again                      │
# │    set @variables.validated=True (limit retries)                │
# │                 │                                               │
# │                 ▼                                               │
# │    All downstream actions use                                   │
# │    @variables.account_id (NOT ...)                              │
# │                                                                  │
# └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
#
# ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════