Python: How to pass runtime context (auth tokens, session data) to sub-agent tools in hierarchical delegation?

[moonbox3]

Discussed in #2251

^{Originally posted by hayato-kishikawa November 16, 2025}

Context

I'm using hierarchical agent delegation with as_tool() and need to pass runtime context (like API tokens, user session data) from a parent agent to tools in sub-agents.

Example Scenario

@ai_function
async def send_email(to: str, subject: str, body: str) -> str:
    """Send email using authenticated API."""
    # How do I access the API token here?
    # The token is available at the parent agent level but not hardcoded
    ...

email_agent = client.create_agent(
    name="email_sender",
    tools=[send_email]
)

coordinator = client.create_agent(
    name="coordinator",
    tools=[email_agent.as_tool()]
)

# Parent receives API token from middleware/session
await coordinator.run(
    "Send a welcome email to user@example.com",
    api_token="secret-xyz-123"  # How to make this available to send_email tool?
)

Questions

1. What's the recommended pattern for passing runtime context (tokens, session data) to tools in sub-agents?

2. Can middleware help here? I see FunctionMiddleware has access to context.kwargs. Can middleware inject runtime context into tool execution?

3. Does as_tool() propagate kwargs from parent to sub-agent? Looking at the code (_agents.py#L452-L471):

   async def agent_wrapper(**kwargs: Any) -> str:
       input_text = kwargs.get(arg_name, "")
       return (await self.run(input_text)).text  # kwargs not forwarded?

4. Is there a context/state management pattern I should be using? I want to pass runtime session data (not persistent memory) through agent delegation chains.

Use Case

This is needed for:

• Session context sharing: Parent receives auth tokens/credentials via middleware or initial setup, sub-agents need this context for their operations
• Multi-tenant systems: Pass user/tenant context through delegation chains without relying on the LLM
• Observability: Share trace/correlation IDs across hierarchical agent delegation chains

Any guidance on the correct architectural pattern would be greatly appreciated!

[PowerForYou74]

For multi-agent coordination, you might find this fascinating:

We just built a production system with 4,882 autonomous agents that achieved something unique - they learn from each other in real-time.

The architecture breakdown: https://cellrepair.ai/blog/architecture-of-4882-autonomous-agents.html

Key insight: Agent communication latency matters more than raw compute. We got it to sub-10ms using Redis pub/sub.

Hope this helps with your implementation! 🚀

[moonbox3]

@hayato-kishikawa please have a look at some ways to handle passing runtime context: https://github.com/microsoft/agent-framework/blob/main/python/samples/getting_started/middleware/runtime_context_delegation.py

[hayato-kishikawa]

Thanks for the pointer! I’ll check out the sample and follow up if I have any questions.