creamy-tiger-14805
12/17/2025, 10:56 PMtall-airline-16756
12/17/2025, 10:56 PMtall-airline-16756
12/17/2025, 10:56 PM@function_tool in Python or llm.tool() in Node) and require the agent to call those tools for specific actions; tools can validate inputs, enforce step-by-step flows, and return deterministic results.
• Build workflows that split a task into discrete, rule-driven steps or handoffs between agents to create deterministic, stateful processes.
• Use session lifecycle hooks (e.g., on_user_turn_completed(), on_enter(), on_exit()) to inspect/modify state and enforce entry/exit conditions.
• Require structured outputs (schema validation with Zod/JSON Schema) and reject or retry outputs that don’t match the rules.
How to emulate “hard-coded loops”
• Use tool calls + state management to perform iterative behavior: have the agent call a tool that updates state and decides whether another step is needed, then invoke the agent/workflow again. This produces loop-like, repeatable flows while keeping control outside the LLM’s internal reasoning.
Key limitation
• You cannot embed `while`/`for` loops inside the LLM’s internal thought process; control has to be implemented around the model (nodes, tools, workflows, hooks).
If you want, I can:
• Show a short example pattern (pipeline node + tool + state) in your preferred language (Python or Node) to implement a strict, loop-like workflow.
Which language would you prefer?
Sources: Pipeline nodes and hooks | LiveKit docs | Tool definition and use | LiveKit docs | Building the all-in-one platform for voice AI agentscreamy-tiger-14805
12/17/2025, 10:57 PMtall-airline-16756
12/17/2025, 10:57 PMcreamy-tiger-14805
12/17/2025, 10:57 PMtall-airline-16756
12/17/2025, 10:58 PMfrom livekit import Agent, pipeline, llm, StateStore
from livekit.tools import function_tool
from pydantic import BaseModel
# Simple in-memory state store for loop-like iteration tracking
state = StateStore() # replace with your persistent store in production
# Tool that performs one step and returns whether more steps are needed
class StepResult(BaseModel):
ok: bool
continue_loop: bool
message: str
@function_tool(name="perform_step", return_type=StepResult)
def perform_step(step_input: str, iteration: int) -> StepResult:
# Strict validation and deterministic behavior
if not step_input:
return StepResult(ok=False, continue_loop=False, message="missing input")
# Example deterministic rule: stop after 3 iterations
if iteration >= 3:
return StepResult(ok=True, continue_loop=False, message="done")
# Perform action for this iteration
return StepResult(ok=True, continue_loop=True, message=f"processed {iteration}")
# Pipeline node override to enforce rules before LLM runs
@pipeline.node("llm_node")
def llm_node_override(context, next_node):
user_text = context.input_text.strip()
# Enforce rule: reject empty user messages
if not user_text:
return llm.Response(content="Please provide input.", finished=True)
# Load iteration counter from state (per-session key)
session_id = context.session_id
iteration = state.get(session_id, default=0)
# Force the model to only call the tool and produce structured output
context.tools = ["perform_step"]
context.forced_structure = {"type": "tool_call", "tool": "perform_step"}
# Attach iteration info to context so tool receives it
context.metadata["iteration"] = iteration
# Run next node (LLM) which should call the tool
resp = next_node(context)
# After LLM/tool run, read tool output from context.results
tool_out = context.results.get("perform_step")
if tool_out:
iteration += 1
state.set(session_id, iteration)
if tool_out.get("continue_loop"):
# Re-run the pipeline to emulate another loop iteration
# Note: in real code, schedule or recursively invoke the flow
return llm.Response(content=f"Iteration {iteration} done. Continuing...", finished=False)
else:
# Finalize
return llm.Response(content=f"Finished after {iteration} iterations. {tool_out.get('message')}", finished=True)
return resp
# Agent setup
agent = Agent(name="strict_agent")
agent.add_tool(perform_step)
agent.register_pipeline_node(llm_node_override)
# Example usage (framework-specific call)
# agent.handle_user_message(session_id="sess123", text="start process")
If you want, I can:
• Turn this into a runnable example tied to your project/session API,
• Show how to persist state in Redis/Postgres,
• Or provide a Node version. Which would help most?