<2-3 sentences summarising what the project addresses and solves, the target audience, and the benefit.> The OpenHands Software Agent SDK provides Python and REST APIs for constructing AI agents capable of interacting with code. It targets developers and researchers aiming to automate code-related tasks, from simple README generation to complex multi-agent refactors, offering a foundation for novel developer experiences and powering OpenHands' own CLI and Cloud products.

How It Works

The SDK facilitates agent creation by integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) with a suite of tools, such as file editors, task trackers, and terminals. Agents can operate within local directories or ephemeral workspaces managed by an Agent Server, supporting environments like Docker and Kubernetes. This modular design allows for composable and extensible agent architectures, enabling sophisticated workflows and custom developer tools.

Quick Start & Requirements

The SDK is designed for Python integration, as demonstrated by the import openhands.sdk statement. Key requirements include setting an LLM_API_KEY environment variable for LLM access, with the example utilizing anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929. Comprehensive setup, installation, and usage guides are available at the official documentation site: https://docs.openhands.dev/sdk. Detailed examples covering standalone usage, remote agent servers, and GitHub workflows are provided in the repository's examples/ directory.

Highlighted Details

• Enables building production-ready agents with a composable and extensible foundation.
• Supports flexible workspace management: local machine or ephemeral environments (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Facilitates complex, multi-agent tasks like code refactors and dependency updates.
• Serves as the core engine for the OpenHands CLI and OpenHands Cloud.

Maintenance & Community

The project encourages community engagement via Slack and maintains an active GitHub repository for source code and issue tracking. Key contributors include Xingyao Wang, Simon Rosenberg, and Juan Michelini, among others.

Licensing & Compatibility

The README does not specify a software license. This absence requires clarification regarding usage rights, particularly for commercial applications or integration into closed-source projects.

Limitations & Caveats

No explicit limitations, alpha/beta status, or known issues are detailed in the provided README. The project's recent arXiv publication date (2025) suggests it may be relatively new.