> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.swarms.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Agents vs Prompts
> Understanding the differences between Agents and Prompts in the Swarms Marketplace
The Swarms Marketplace offers two primary product types: **Agents** and **Prompts**. While both are designed to enhance AI capabilities, they serve different purposes and have distinct features.
***
## Quick Comparison
| Feature | Agents | Prompts |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Code** | ✅ Contains executable code | ❌ No code |
| **Requirements** | ✅ Package dependencies | ❌ None |
| **Environment Variables** | ✅ Configurable | ❌ None |
| **Export to ChatGPT** | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available |
| **Export to Claude** | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available |
| **View Modes** | Overview, JSON Metadata | Chat, Preview, Markdown, Text, Framework, API |
| **Downloadable Files** | ✅ Code files | ❌ Text only |
***
## Agents
Agents are **autonomous AI entities with executable code**. They contain implementation logic that can be run, configured, and integrated into your applications.
### Key Features
Agents include actual code (Python, JavaScript, etc.) that implements the agent's logic and behaviors.
Agents specify their dependencies, showing which packages need to be installed (e.g., `pip install swarms`).
Agents can require environment variables for API keys and configuration.
Download the agent's code files directly from the marketplace.
### Agent Page Sections
When viewing an agent in the marketplace, you'll see:
* **Overview** - Description, use cases, and general information
* **JSON Metadata** - Structured data about the agent
* **Requirements** - List of packages and installation commands
* **Environment Variables** - Required configuration variables
* **Agent Code** - The full implementation code with syntax highlighting
### Best For
* Complex automation tasks
* Multi-step workflows
* Integration with external APIs and tools
* Custom logic and behaviors
* Reusable code components
***
## Prompts
Prompts are **system prompt templates without any code**. They define how an AI should behave, respond, and process information through natural language instructions.
### Key Features
Prompts are pure text instructions—no programming knowledge needed to use them.
One-click export to use the prompt directly in ChatGPT.
One-click export to use the prompt directly in Claude.
View prompts in different formats: Chat, Preview, Markdown, Text, Framework, or API.
### Prompt Page Sections
When viewing a prompt in the marketplace, you'll see:
* **Main Prompt** - The full prompt text with multiple view options:
* **Chat** - Interactive chat preview
* **Preview** - Formatted preview
* **Markdown** - Raw markdown format
* **Text** - Plain text format
* **Framework** - Format for Swarms Framework integration
* **API** - Format for API integration
### Export to AI Platforms
Prompts include an **"Export to AI"** feature that allows you to:
* Export directly to **ChatGPT** for immediate use
* Export directly to **Claude** for immediate use
This makes it easy to try prompts across different AI platforms without manual copying.
### Best For
* System prompts for AI assistants
* Persona definitions
* Task-specific instructions
* Role-playing scenarios
* Structured output templates
***
## When to Use Each
### Choose Agents When:
* You need custom logic and automation
* Your solution requires specific packages or dependencies
* You want to run code locally or in your infrastructure
* You're building complex multi-agent workflows
* You need integration with external APIs or databases
### Choose Prompts When:
* You want to define AI behavior without coding
* You need portable instructions that work across platforms
* You want to quickly test prompts in ChatGPT or Claude
* You're creating persona or role definitions
* You want to share prompt engineering techniques
***
## Availability Across Platforms
### Agents
Agents are available through:
* **Swarms Python Framework** - Import and run directly
* **Swarms API** - Access via REST API
### Prompts
Prompts are available through:
* **Swarms Python Framework** - Use as system prompts
* **Swarms API** - Query and retrieve via REST API
* **Swarms Chat** - Use directly in the chat interface
* **ChatGPT** - Export and use
* **Claude** - Export and use
***
## Examples
### Agent Example
An agent like "ETF Analysis BatchedGridWorkflow" includes:
* Python code for risk analysis and quantitative evaluation
* Requirements: `swarms`, `httpx`
* Environment variables: `SWARMS_API_KEY`
* Downloadable `main.py` file
### Prompt Example
A prompt like "Medical Researcher System Prompt" includes:
* Detailed instructions for clinical research analysis
* Multiple view formats (Chat, Markdown, Text, etc.)
* Export options to ChatGPT and Claude
* No code or dependencies
***
## Summary
**Agents** = Code + Logic + Dependencies → For developers building automated solutions
**Prompts** = Instructions + Templates → For anyone defining AI behavior without code
Both product types can be tokenized on the marketplace and are subject to the same quality validation process. Choose the type that best fits your needs and technical requirements.