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Retrieval Agent

Reviewed 19 July 2026Canonical definitionPart of: Agent Evaluation Terms →

A retrieval agent is an agent specialised in searching, filtering, and returning information from knowledge bases, databases, or APIs. It typically operates with read-only permissions and feeds context to other agents in the workflow.

§01 / QUESTIONSterm: Retrieval Agent
Questions

Common questions.

What is Retrieval Agent?

A retrieval agent is an agent specialised in searching, filtering, and returning information from knowledge bases, databases, or APIs.

How is Retrieval Agent used in production?

It typically operates with read-only permissions and feeds context to other agents in the workflow.

Which terms are related to Retrieval Agent?

Closely related concepts include Answer Faithfulness, Context Precision, Context Recall, Data Poisoning. Each is defined in the Prefactor glossary.

§02 / RELATEDnext: where this fits
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Where this fits.

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