Python: Update workflow orchestration samples to use AzureOpenAIResponsesClient

docs/decisions/0001-agent-run-response.md

@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ We need to decide what AIContent types, each agent response type will be mapped
 | Google ADK | **Approach 1** Both [input and output schemas can be specified for LLM Agents](https://google.github.io/adk-docs/agents/llm-agents/#structuring-data-input_schema-output_schema-output_key) at construction time. This option is specific to this agent type and other agent types do not necessarily support |
 | AWS (Strands) | **Approach 2** Supports a special invocation method called [structured_output](https://strandsagents.com/latest/documentation/docs/api-reference/python/agent/agent/#strands.agent.agent.Agent.structured_output) |
 | LangGraph | **Approach 1** Supports [configuring an agent](https://langchain-ai.github.io/langgraph/agents/agents/?h=structured#6-configure-structured-output) at agent construction time, and a [structured response](https://langchain-ai.github.io/langgraph/agents/run_agents/#output-format) can be retrieved as a special property on the agent response |
-| Agno | **Approach 1** Supports [configuring an agent](https://docs.agno.com/examples/getting-started/structured-output) at agent construction time |
+| Agno | **Approach 1** Supports [configuring an agent](https://docs.agno.com/input-output/structured-output/agent) at agent construction time |
 | A2A | **Informal Approach 2** Doesn't formally support schema negotiation, but [hints can be provided via metadata](https://a2a-protocol.org/latest/specification/#97-structured-data-exchange-requesting-and-providing-json) at invocation time |
 | Protocol Activity | Supports returning [Complex types](https://github.com/microsoft/Agents/blob/main/specs/activity/protocol-activity.md#complex-types) but no support for requesting a type |
 

python/samples/03-workflows/README.md

@@ -160,6 +160,14 @@ Sequential orchestration uses a few small adapter nodes for plumbing:
   These may appear in event streams (executor_invoked/executor_completed). They're analogous to
   concurrent’s dispatcher and aggregator and can be ignored if you only care about agent activity.
 
+### AzureOpenAIResponsesClient vs AzureAIAgent
+
+Workflow and orchestration samples use `AzureOpenAIResponsesClient` rather than the CRUD-style `AzureAIAgent` client. The key difference:
+
+- **`AzureOpenAIResponsesClient`** — A lightweight client that uses the underlying Agent Service V2 (Responses API) for non-CRUD-style agents. Orchestrations use this client because agents are created locally and do not require server-side lifecycle management (create/update/delete). This is the recommended client for orchestration patterns (Sequential, Concurrent, Handoff, GroupChat, Magentic).
+
+- **`AzureAIAgent`** — A CRUD-style client for server-managed agents. Use this when you need persistent, server-side agent definitions with features like file search, code interpreter sessions, or thread management provided by the Azure AI Agent Service.
+
 ### Environment Variables
 
 Workflow samples that use `AzureOpenAIResponsesClient` expect:

python/samples/03-workflows/declarative/agent_to_function_tool/main.py

@@ -18,10 +18,11 @@
 """
 
 import asyncio
+import os
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any
 
-from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIChatClient
+from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIResponsesClient
 from agent_framework.declarative import WorkflowFactory
 from azure.identity import AzureCliCredential
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
@@ -196,8 +197,12 @@ def format_order_confirmation(order_data: dict[str, Any], order_calculation: dic
 
 async def main():
     """Run the agent to function tool workflow."""
-    # Create Azure OpenAI client
-    chat_client = AzureOpenAIChatClient(credential=AzureCliCredential())
+    # Create Azure OpenAI Responses client
+    chat_client = AzureOpenAIResponsesClient(
+        project_endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT"],
+        deployment_name=os.environ["AZURE_AI_MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME"],
+        credential=AzureCliCredential(),
+    )
 
     # Create the order analysis agent with structured output
     order_analysis_agent = chat_client.as_agent(

python/samples/03-workflows/declarative/function_tools/README.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ This sample demonstrates an agent with function tools responding to user queries
 
 The workflow showcases:
 - **Function Tools**: Agent equipped with tools to query menu data
-- **Real Azure OpenAI Agent**: Uses `AzureOpenAIChatClient` to create an agent with tools
+- **Real Azure OpenAI Agent**: Uses `AzureOpenAIResponsesClient` to create an agent with tools
 - **Agent Registration**: Shows how to register agents with the `WorkflowFactory`
 
 ## Tools
@@ -72,7 +72,11 @@ Session Complete
 
 ```python
 # Create the agent with tools
-client = AzureOpenAIChatClient(credential=AzureCliCredential())
+client = AzureOpenAIResponsesClient(
+    project_endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT"],
+    deployment_name=os.environ["AZURE_AI_MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME"],
+    credential=AzureCliCredential(),
+)
 menu_agent = client.as_agent(
     name="MenuAgent",
     instructions="You are a helpful restaurant menu assistant...",

python/samples/03-workflows/orchestrations/README.md

@@ -92,6 +92,10 @@ from agent_framework.orchestrations import (
 
 These may appear in event streams (executor_invoked/executor_completed). They're analogous to concurrent's dispatcher and aggregator and can be ignored if you only care about agent activity.
 
+## Why AzureOpenAIResponsesClient?
+
+Orchestration samples use `AzureOpenAIResponsesClient` rather than the CRUD-style `AzureAIAgent` client. Orchestrations create agents locally and do not require server-side lifecycle management (create/update/delete). `AzureOpenAIResponsesClient` is a lightweight client that uses the underlying Agent Service V2 (Responses API) for non-CRUD-style agents, which is ideal for orchestration patterns like Sequential, Concurrent, Handoff, GroupChat, and Magentic.
+
 ## Environment Variables
 
 Orchestration samples that use `AzureOpenAIResponsesClient` expect:

python/samples/03-workflows/orchestrations/concurrent_agents.py

@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 # Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
 
 import asyncio
+import os
 from typing import Any
 
 from agent_framework import Message
-from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIChatClient
+from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIResponsesClient
 from agent_framework.orchestrations import ConcurrentBuilder
 from azure.identity import AzureCliCredential
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
@@ -26,14 +27,20 @@
 - Workflow completion when idle with no pending work
 
 Prerequisites:
-- Azure OpenAI access configured for AzureOpenAIChatClient (use az login + env vars)
+- AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT must be your Azure AI Foundry Agent Service (V2) project endpoint.
+- Azure OpenAI configured for AzureOpenAIResponsesClient with required environment variables.
+- Authentication via azure-identity. Use AzureCliCredential and run az login before executing the sample.
 - Familiarity with Workflow events (WorkflowEvent)
 """
 
 
 async def main() -> None:
-    # 1) Create three domain agents using AzureOpenAIChatClient
-    client = AzureOpenAIChatClient(credential=AzureCliCredential())
+    # 1) Create three domain agents using AzureOpenAIResponsesClient
+    client = AzureOpenAIResponsesClient(
+        project_endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT"],
+        deployment_name=os.environ["AZURE_AI_MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME"],
+        credential=AzureCliCredential(),
+    )
 
     researcher = client.as_agent(
         instructions=(

python/samples/03-workflows/orchestrations/concurrent_custom_agent_executors.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
 
 import asyncio
+import os
 from typing import Any
 
 from agent_framework import (
@@ -12,7 +13,7 @@
     WorkflowContext,
     handler,
 )
-from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIChatClient
+from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIResponsesClient
 from agent_framework.orchestrations import ConcurrentBuilder
 from azure.identity import AzureCliCredential
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
@@ -29,21 +30,23 @@
 ConcurrentBuilder API and the default aggregator.
 
 Demonstrates:
-- Executors that create their Agent in __init__ (via AzureOpenAIChatClient)
+- Executors that create their Agent in __init__ (via AzureOpenAIResponsesClient)
 - A @handler that converts AgentExecutorRequest -> AgentExecutorResponse
 - ConcurrentBuilder(participants=[...]) to build fan-out/fan-in
 - Default aggregator returning list[Message] (one user + one assistant per agent)
 - Workflow completion when all participants become idle
 
 Prerequisites:
-- Azure OpenAI configured for AzureOpenAIChatClient (az login + required env vars)
+- AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT must be your Azure AI Foundry Agent Service (V2) project endpoint.
+- Azure OpenAI configured for AzureOpenAIResponsesClient with required environment variables.
+- Authentication via azure-identity. Use AzureCliCredential and run az login before executing the sample.
 """
 
 
 class ResearcherExec(Executor):
     agent: Agent
 
-    def __init__(self, client: AzureOpenAIChatClient, id: str = "researcher"):
+    def __init__(self, client: AzureOpenAIResponsesClient, id: str = "researcher"):
         self.agent = client.as_agent(
             instructions=(
                 "You're an expert market and product researcher. Given a prompt, provide concise, factual insights,"
@@ -63,7 +66,7 @@ async def run(self, request: AgentExecutorRequest, ctx: WorkflowContext[AgentExe
 class MarketerExec(Executor):
     agent: Agent
 
-    def __init__(self, client: AzureOpenAIChatClient, id: str = "marketer"):
+    def __init__(self, client: AzureOpenAIResponsesClient, id: str = "marketer"):
         self.agent = client.as_agent(
             instructions=(
                 "You're a creative marketing strategist. Craft compelling value propositions and target messaging"
@@ -83,7 +86,7 @@ async def run(self, request: AgentExecutorRequest, ctx: WorkflowContext[AgentExe
 class LegalExec(Executor):
     agent: Agent
 
-    def __init__(self, client: AzureOpenAIChatClient, id: str = "legal"):
+    def __init__(self, client: AzureOpenAIResponsesClient, id: str = "legal"):
         self.agent = client.as_agent(
             instructions=(
                 "You're a cautious legal/compliance reviewer. Highlight constraints, disclaimers, and policy concerns"
@@ -101,7 +104,11 @@ async def run(self, request: AgentExecutorRequest, ctx: WorkflowContext[AgentExe
 
 
 async def main() -> None:
-    client = AzureOpenAIChatClient(credential=AzureCliCredential())
+    client = AzureOpenAIResponsesClient(
+        project_endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT"],
+        deployment_name=os.environ["AZURE_AI_MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME"],
+        credential=AzureCliCredential(),
+    )
 
     researcher = ResearcherExec(client)
     marketer = MarketerExec(client)

python/samples/03-workflows/orchestrations/concurrent_custom_aggregator.py

@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 # Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
 
 import asyncio
+import os
 from typing import Any
 
 from agent_framework import Message
-from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIChatClient
+from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIResponsesClient
 from agent_framework.orchestrations import ConcurrentBuilder
 from azure.identity import AzureCliCredential
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@
 
 Build a concurrent workflow with ConcurrentBuilder that fans out one prompt to
 multiple domain agents and fans in their responses. Override the default
-aggregator with a custom async callback that uses AzureOpenAIChatClient.get_response()
+aggregator with a custom async callback that uses AzureOpenAIResponsesClient.get_response()
 to synthesize a concise, consolidated summary from the experts' outputs.
 The workflow completes when all participants become idle.
 
@@ -28,12 +29,18 @@
 - Workflow output yielded with the synthesized summary string
 
 Prerequisites:
-- Azure OpenAI configured for AzureOpenAIChatClient (az login + required env vars)
+- AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT must be your Azure AI Foundry Agent Service (V2) project endpoint.
+- Azure OpenAI configured for AzureOpenAIResponsesClient with required environment variables.
+- Authentication via azure-identity. Use AzureCliCredential and run az login before executing the sample.
 """
 
 
 async def main() -> None:
-    client = AzureOpenAIChatClient(credential=AzureCliCredential())
+    client = AzureOpenAIResponsesClient(
+        project_endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT"],
+        deployment_name=os.environ["AZURE_AI_MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME"],
+        credential=AzureCliCredential(),
+    )
 
     researcher = client.as_agent(
         instructions=(

python/samples/03-workflows/orchestrations/group_chat_agent_manager.py

@@ -1,14 +1,15 @@
 # Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
 
 import asyncio
+import os
 from typing import cast
 
 from agent_framework import (
     Agent,
     AgentResponseUpdate,
     Message,
 )
-from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIChatClient
+from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIResponsesClient
 from agent_framework.orchestrations import GroupChatBuilder
 from azure.identity import AzureCliCredential
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
@@ -25,7 +26,9 @@
 - Coordinates a researcher and writer agent to solve tasks collaboratively
 
 Prerequisites:
-- OpenAI environment variables configured for OpenAIChatClient
+- AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT must be your Azure AI Foundry Agent Service (V2) project endpoint.
+- Azure OpenAI configured for AzureOpenAIResponsesClient with required environment variables.
+- Authentication via azure-identity. Use AzureCliCredential and run az login before executing the sample.
 """
 
 ORCHESTRATOR_AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS = """
@@ -39,8 +42,12 @@
 
 
 async def main() -> None:
-    # Create a chat client using Azure OpenAI and Azure CLI credentials for all agents
-    client = AzureOpenAIChatClient(credential=AzureCliCredential())
+    # Create a Responses client using Azure OpenAI and Azure CLI credentials for all agents
+    client = AzureOpenAIResponsesClient(
+        project_endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT"],
+        deployment_name=os.environ["AZURE_AI_MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME"],
+        credential=AzureCliCredential(),
+    )
 
     # Orchestrator agent that manages the conversation
     # Note: This agent (and the underlying chat client) must support structured outputs.

python/samples/03-workflows/orchestrations/group_chat_philosophical_debate.py

@@ -2,14 +2,15 @@
 
 import asyncio
 import logging
+import os
 from typing import cast
 
 from agent_framework import (
     Agent,
     AgentResponseUpdate,
     Message,
 )
-from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIChatClient
+from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIResponsesClient
 from agent_framework.orchestrations import GroupChatBuilder
 from azure.identity import AzureCliCredential
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
@@ -38,15 +39,21 @@
 - Doctor from Scandinavia (public health, equity, societal support)
 
 Prerequisites:
-- OpenAI environment variables configured for OpenAIChatClient
+- AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT must be your Azure AI Foundry Agent Service (V2) project endpoint.
+- Azure OpenAI configured for AzureOpenAIResponsesClient with required environment variables.
+- Authentication via azure-identity. Use AzureCliCredential and run az login before executing the sample.
 """
 
 # Load environment variables from .env file
 load_dotenv()
 
 
-def _get_chat_client() -> AzureOpenAIChatClient:
-    return AzureOpenAIChatClient(credential=AzureCliCredential())
+def _get_chat_client() -> AzureOpenAIResponsesClient:
+    return AzureOpenAIResponsesClient(
+        project_endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT"],
+        deployment_name=os.environ["AZURE_AI_MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME"],
+        credential=AzureCliCredential(),
+    )
 
 
 async def main() -> None:

python/samples/03-workflows/orchestrations/group_chat_simple_selector.py

@@ -1,14 +1,15 @@
 # Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
 
 import asyncio
+import os
 from typing import cast
 
 from agent_framework import (
     Agent,
     AgentResponseUpdate,
     Message,
 )
-from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIChatClient
+from agent_framework.azure import AzureOpenAIResponsesClient
 from agent_framework.orchestrations import GroupChatBuilder, GroupChatState
 from azure.identity import AzureCliCredential
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
@@ -24,7 +25,9 @@
 - Uses a pure Python function to control speaker selection based on conversation state
 
 Prerequisites:
-- OpenAI environment variables configured for OpenAIChatClient
+- AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT must be your Azure AI Foundry Agent Service (V2) project endpoint.
+- Azure OpenAI configured for AzureOpenAIResponsesClient with required environment variables.
+- Authentication via azure-identity. Use AzureCliCredential and run az login before executing the sample.
 """
 
 
@@ -36,8 +39,12 @@ def round_robin_selector(state: GroupChatState) -> str:
 
 
 async def main() -> None:
-    # Create a chat client using Azure OpenAI and Azure CLI credentials for all agents
-    client = AzureOpenAIChatClient(credential=AzureCliCredential())
+    # Create a Responses client using Azure OpenAI and Azure CLI credentials for all agents
+    client = AzureOpenAIResponsesClient(
+        project_endpoint=os.environ["AZURE_AI_PROJECT_ENDPOINT"],
+        deployment_name=os.environ["AZURE_AI_MODEL_DEPLOYMENT_NAME"],
+        credential=AzureCliCredential(),
+    )
 
     # Participant agents
     expert = Agent(