Subagents versus actions
Key Takeaway
A subagent is the job, and its actions are the tools. The Agent Router picks a subagent by matching the request to subagent names and descriptions, and then actions do the work.
An Agentforce agent is built from two core assets: subagents and actions. A subagent is a job the agent can do. Each subagent groups the actions for that job with instructions that tell the agent how to make decisions. An action is a tool the agent uses to get information or perform a task, such as drafting an email.
Subagents and actions
Subagents and actions are an agent's most important assets. Together they make up the agent's library. A subagent is a category of actions related to a particular job to be done. The set of subagents assigned to an agent defines what the agent can handle. Subagents give the agent its goals and the context and direction it needs to reach them.
Actions are how an agent gets things done in Salesforce. Tasks such as creating to-do items and logging calls are done by actions, which are the tools assigned to a subagent for its job. For example, a Deal Management subagent can hold actions that help a sales rep get up to speed on their day, find relevant opportunities and contacts, create to-do items, and log calls.
Actions can also work with content. For example, when a user asks for help writing an email, the agent can run an action that drafts and revises the email and grounds it in relevant Salesforce data.