Lesson 2: Adding Function Calling with Agent Framework

This lesson builds on lesson 1 by adding function calling capabilities to our agent. Function calling allows the AI model to invoke external functions to get real-time data or perform computations.

1. Switch to Lesson 2 directory:

   cd workshop/dotnet/Lessons/Lesson2
   

2. Copy the configuration file from the Solutions directory:

   cp ../../Solutions/Lesson2/appsettings.json .
   

3. Run the application to see it works:

   dotnet run
   

4. Observe the plugins in the Core.Utilities.Plugins namespace:

   • TimeInformationPlugin.cs - Provides current UTC time
   • StockDataPlugin.cs - Provides stock price data

5. Open Program.cs and add the following features:

   1. TODO: Step 1 - Initialize the chat client and plugins:

      IChatClient chatClient = AgentFrameworkProvider.CreateChatClientWithApiKey();
      
      // Initialize plugins
      TimeInformationPlugin timePlugin = new();
      HttpClient httpClient = new();
      StockDataPlugin stockDataPlugin = new(new StocksService(httpClient));
      

   2. TODO: Step 2 - Create AI functions using AIFunctionFactory:

      var tools = new AIFunction[]
      {
          AIFunctionFactory.Create(timePlugin.GetCurrentUtcTime),
          AIFunctionFactory.Create(stockDataPlugin.GetStockPrice),
          AIFunctionFactory.Create(stockDataPlugin.GetStockPriceForDate)
      };
      

   3. TODO: Step 3 - Create a ChatClientAgent with function calling capabilities:

      string systemInstructions = "You are a friendly financial advisor that only emits financial advice in a creative and funny tone";
      
      ChatClientAgent agent = new(
          chatClient,
          instructions: systemInstructions,
          name: "FinancialAdvisor",
          description: "A friendly financial advisor with access to time and stock data",
          tools: tools
      );
      

   4. TODO: Step 4 - Create thread and use agent:

      AgentThread thread = agent.GetNewThread();
      var response = await agent.RunAsync(userInput, thread);
      Console.WriteLine(response);
      

6. Test the application by asking questions that require function calls:

   dotnet run
   

   Example questions to test:

   User > What time is it?
   Assistant > (should call time function and provide current time)
   
   User > What is the current price of MSFT?
   Assistant > (should call stock price function and provide current Microsoft stock price)
   
   User > What was the price of AAPL on 2023-01-01?
   Assistant > (should call historical stock price function)
   

The Agent Framework automatically handles function calling - when the model determines it needs external data, it will invoke the appropriate function and use the result in its response.