@falai/agent 1.2.8 → 2.0.1

package/docs/core/conversation-flows/data-collection.md

@@ -1,772 +0,0 @@
-# Agent-Level Schema-Driven Data Collection
-
-@falai/agent implements a powerful agent-level schema-first approach to data collection, enabling type-safe, structured information extraction from natural conversations across all routes. Unlike traditional route-specific data collection, this system centralizes data schemas at the agent level while allowing routes to specify completion requirements.
-
-## Overview
-
-The agent-level data collection system provides:
-
-- **Centralized JSON Schema**: Define comprehensive data structures at the agent level
-- **Cross-Route Data Sharing**: Data collected by any route is available to all routes
-- **Route Completion Logic**: Routes complete when step flows reach `END_ROUTE`, with required fields acting as validation gates along the way
-- **Type-Safe Extraction**: Automatic mapping from AI responses to typed data
-- **Natural Conversations**: AI handles information gathering conversationally
-- **Validation & Enrichment**: Agent-level lifecycle hooks for data processing
-- **Session Persistence**: Data survives across conversation turns and route transitions
-- **Batch Data Collection**: Multiple steps can collect data in a single LLM call
-
-## Data Collection Across Batched Steps
-
-When multiple steps execute in a single batch (requires `maxStepsPerBatch` > 1), data collection works across all steps simultaneously.
-
-### How Batch Data Collection Works
-
-1. **Gather collect fields** - All `collect` fields from all steps in the batch are combined
-2. **Single LLM call** - The combined prompt instructs the LLM to extract all fields
-3. **Extract from response** - All specified fields are extracted from the LLM response
-4. **Validate against schema** - Collected data is validated against the agent schema
-5. **Update session** - All collected values are merged into session data
-
-```typescript
-// Batch with 3 steps, each collecting different fields
-const batch = [
-  { collect: ["name"] },
-  { collect: ["email", "phone"] },
-  { collect: ["preferences"] }
-];
-
-// Combined collection: ["name", "email", "phone", "preferences"]
-// Single LLM response extracts all fields at once
-```
-
-### Pre-Extraction and Batch Determination
-
-Pre-extraction happens **before** batch determination and directly impacts which steps can be batched:
-
-```typescript
-// User message: "I'm John, email john@example.com, I prefer dark mode"
-
-// Phase 1: Pre-extraction
-const preExtracted = {
-  name: "John",
-  email: "john@example.com",
-  preferences: { theme: "dark" }
-};
-
-// Phase 2: Batch determination (with pre-extracted data merged)
-// Step 1: collect: ["name"] → name exists → doesn't need input
-// Step 2: collect: ["email"] → email exists → doesn't need input
-// Step 3: collect: ["preferences"] → preferences exists → doesn't need input
-// Result: All 3 steps batched together
-```
-
-### Pre-Extraction Configuration
-
-Pre-extraction is automatic when routes define data fields:
-
-```typescript
-// Option 1: Route-level required fields
-agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Booking",
-  requiredFields: ["hotel", "date", "guests"],
-  // Pre-extraction enabled automatically
-});
-
-// Option 2: Route-level optional fields
-agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Booking",
-  optionalFields: ["specialRequests"],
-  // Pre-extraction enabled automatically
-});
-
-// Option 3: Steps with collect arrays
-agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Booking",
-  steps: [
-    { collect: ["hotel"] },  // Pre-extraction enabled automatically
-  ]
-});
-```
-
-### Batch Collection Example
-
-```typescript
-const response = await agent.respond(
-  "I'm Alice, alice@example.com, and I want to book for 2 guests"
-);
-
-// Response includes all collected data
-console.log(response.session.data);
-// {
-//   name: "Alice",
-//   email: "alice@example.com",
-//   guests: 2
-// }
-
-// Shows which steps executed
-console.log(response.executedSteps);
-// [
-//   { id: "ask-name", routeId: "booking" },
-//   { id: "ask-email", routeId: "booking" },
-//   { id: "ask-guests", routeId: "booking" }
-// ]
-```
-
-### Validation Across Batch
-
-Data validation happens after collection for all fields:
-
-```typescript
-// Agent schema defines validation rules
-const agent = new Agent({
-  schema: {
-    type: "object",
-    properties: {
-      email: { type: "string", format: "email" },
-      guests: { type: "number", minimum: 1, maximum: 10 }
-    }
-  }
-});
-
-// If validation fails for any field:
-const response = await agent.respond("Book for 100 guests");
-
-// Response includes validation errors
-if (response.stoppedReason === 'validation_error') {
-  console.log(response.error);
-  // {
-  //   type: 'data_validation',
-  //   message: 'Validation failed for 1 field(s): guests',
-  //   details: [{ field: 'guests', message: 'Value exceeds maximum of 10' }]
-  // }
-}
-```
-
-### Partial Data Preservation
-
-Even when validation fails, valid partial data is preserved:
-
-```typescript
-// User provides valid name but invalid email
-const response = await agent.respond("I'm John, email: not-an-email");
-
-// Valid data is still collected
-console.log(response.session.data.name); // "John"
-
-// Invalid data triggers validation error
-console.log(response.stoppedReason); // "validation_error"
-```
-
-## Agent-Level Schema Definition
-
-### Centralized Schema
-
-```typescript
-interface UserProfile {
-  name: string;
-  email: string;
-  age: number;
-  interests: string[];
-  preferences: {
-    notifications: boolean;
-    theme: "light" | "dark";
-  };
-  // Additional fields for other routes
-  supportTicketId?: string;
-  issueType?: string;
-  feedbackRating?: number;
-  subscriptionTier?: "free" | "premium" | "enterprise";
-}
-
-// Define schema at agent level
-const agent = new Agent<{}, UserProfile>({
-  name: "User Management Agent",
-  provider: new OpenAIProvider({ apiKey: process.env.OPENAI_API_KEY }),
-  
-  // Comprehensive agent-level schema
-  schema: {
-    type: "object",
-    properties: {
-      name: {
-        type: "string",
-        description: "The user's full name",
-      },
-      email: {
-        type: "string",
-        format: "email",
-        description: "Valid email address",
-      },
-      age: {
-        type: "number",
-        minimum: 13,
-        maximum: 120,
-        description: "Age in years",
-      },
-      interests: {
-        type: "array",
-        items: { type: "string" },
-        description: "List of user interests",
-      },
-      preferences: {
-        type: "object",
-        properties: {
-          notifications: { type: "boolean" },
-          theme: {
-            type: "string",
-            enum: ["light", "dark"],
-          },
-        },
-      },
-      supportTicketId: { type: "string" },
-      issueType: { type: "string" },
-      feedbackRating: { type: "number", minimum: 1, maximum: 5 },
-      subscriptionTier: { type: "string", enum: ["free", "premium", "enterprise"] }
-    },
-    required: ["name", "email"],
-  }
-});
-
-// Routes specify required fields instead of schemas
-const profileRoute = agent.createRoute({
-  title: "User Profile Collection",
-  requiredFields: ["name", "email", "age"],
-  optionalFields: ["interests", "preferences"]
-});
-
-const supportRoute = agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Support Ticket",
-  requiredFields: ["name", "email", "issueType"],
-  optionalFields: ["supportTicketId"]
-});
-
-const feedbackRoute = agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Feedback Collection",
-  requiredFields: ["name", "email", "feedbackRating"],
-  optionalFields: ["subscriptionTier"]
-});
-```
-
-### Advanced Schema Features
-
-```typescript
-const complexSchema = {
-  type: "object",
-  properties: {
-    // Basic types
-    name: { type: "string", minLength: 2, maxLength: 100 },
-
-    // Email validation
-    email: { type: "string", format: "email" },
-
-    // Number constraints
-    age: { type: "number", minimum: 0, maximum: 150 },
-
-    // Arrays with constraints
-    skills: {
-      type: "array",
-      items: { type: "string" },
-      minItems: 1,
-      maxItems: 10,
-      uniqueItems: true,
-    },
-
-    // Nested objects
-    address: {
-      type: "object",
-      properties: {
-        street: { type: "string" },
-        city: { type: "string" },
-        zipCode: { type: "string", pattern: "^\\d{5}(-\\d{4})?$" },
-      },
-      required: ["street", "city"],
-    },
-
-    // Enums
-    priority: {
-      type: "string",
-      enum: ["low", "medium", "high", "urgent"],
-    },
-
-    // Conditional schemas
-    contactMethod: { type: "string", enum: ["email", "phone", "sms"] },
-  },
-
-  // Cross-field validation
-  allOf: [
-    {
-      if: { properties: { contactMethod: { const: "phone" } } },
-      then: { required: ["phoneNumber"] },
-    },
-  ],
-
-  required: ["name", "email"],
-};
-```
-
-## Step-Level Data Collection
-
-### Basic Collection with Agent-Level Data
-
-```typescript
-const profileRoute = agent
-  .createRoute({
-    title: "Profile Collection",
-    requiredFields: ["name", "email", "age"], // Required for route completion
-    optionalFields: ["interests"], // Optional but helpful
-    initialStep: {
-      prompt:
-        "Hi! I'm collecting some information to personalize your experience. What's your name?",
-      collect: ["name"], // Maps to agent schema field
-    },
-  })
-  .nextStep({
-    prompt: "Thanks {{name}}! What's your email address?",
-    collect: ["email"],
-    requires: ["name"], // Must have name before collecting email
-  })
-  .nextStep({
-    prompt: "What's your age?",
-    collect: ["age"],
-    requires: ["name", "email"],
-  });
-
-// Route completes when the step flow naturally reaches its end
-// Data is available to all other routes
-```
-
-### Multi-Field Collection
-
-```typescript
-const comprehensiveStep = {
-  prompt: `
-    Now I'd like to learn more about you. Please share:
-    - Your age
-    - Your main interests (comma-separated)
-    - Whether you'd like email notifications (yes/no)
-    - Your preferred theme (light/dark)
-  `,
-  collect: [
-    "age", // Single field from agent schema
-    "interests", // Array field from agent schema
-    "preferences.notifications", // Nested field (dot notation)
-    "preferences.theme", // Another nested field
-  ],
-  requires: ["name", "email"], // Prerequisites from agent data
-};
-```
-
-### Conditional Collection
-
-```typescript
-const conditionalCollection = {
-  prompt: "Would you like to set up notifications? (yes/no)",
-  collect: ["preferences.notifications"],
-  skipIf: (data) => data.preferences?.notifications !== undefined, // Skip if already collected
-  requires: ["name", "email"], // Prerequisites from agent data
-};
-```
-
-### Cross-Route Data Sharing
-
-With agent-level data collection, routes can share data seamlessly:
-
-```typescript
-// User starts with profile collection
-const response1 = await agent.respond("Hi, I'm John Doe, email john@example.com");
-// Agent data: { name: "John Doe", email: "john@example.com" }
-
-// User switches to support - data is already available
-const response2 = await agent.respond("Actually, I need help with a technical issue");
-// Support route can access name and email, only needs to collect issue details
-// Support route: 2/3 required fields already satisfied
-
-// User provides issue details
-const response3 = await agent.respond("My account won't sync properly");
-// Support route completes: { name: "John Doe", email: "john@example.com", issueType: "technical" }
-
-// Later, user wants to give feedback
-const response4 = await agent.respond("I want to rate my support experience - 5 stars");
-// Feedback route completes immediately: already has name, email, and now rating
-```
-
-## Data Validation & Processing
-
-### Agent-Level Lifecycle Hooks
-
-```typescript
-const agent = new Agent<{}, UserProfile>({
-  name: "User Management Agent",
-  schema: { /* agent schema */ },
-
-  // Agent-level data validation (applies to all routes)
-  hooks: {
-    onDataUpdate: (newData, previousData) => {
-      // Cross-field validation using complete agent data
-      if (newData.email && newData.confirmEmail) {
-        if (newData.email !== newData.confirmEmail) {
-          throw new Error("Email addresses don't match");
-        }
-      }
-
-      // Data enrichment based on agent-level data
-      if (newData.name && !newData.displayName) {
-        newData.displayName = newData.name.split(" ")[0]; // First name only
-      }
-
-      // Auto-set subscription tier based on email domain
-      if (newData.email && !newData.subscriptionTier) {
-        newData.subscriptionTier = newData.email.includes('@enterprise.com') ? 'enterprise' : 'free';
-      }
-
-      // Validate against agent schema
-      const validation = agent.validateData(newData);
-      if (!validation.valid) {
-        throw new Error(`Data validation failed: ${validation.errors.map(e => e.message).join(', ')}`);
-      }
-
-      return newData;
-    },
-  },
-});
-```
-
-### Route-Level Hooks
-
-```typescript
-const routeWithHooks = agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Smart Collection",
-
-  hooks: {
-    onDataUpdate: async (newData, previousData) => {
-      // External validation
-      if (newData.email) {
-        const isValid = await validateEmailExternally(newData.email);
-        if (!isValid) {
-          throw new Error("Email validation failed");
-        }
-      }
-
-      // Data transformation
-      if (newData.interests && typeof newData.interests === "string") {
-        newData.interests = newData.interests.split(",").map((s) => s.trim());
-      }
-
-      return newData;
-    },
-
-    onContextUpdate: (newContext, previousContext) => {
-      // React to context changes that affect data collection
-      console.log("Context updated, may affect data validation rules");
-    },
-  },
-});
-```
-
-## Data Flow & Persistence
-
-### Session Data Management
-
-```typescript
-// Data flows through the session
-const session = {
-  data: {
-    name: "John Doe",
-    email: "john@example.com",
-    age: 30,
-  },
-  dataByRoute: {
-    "user-profile": {
-      name: "John Doe",
-      email: "john@example.com",
-      age: 30,
-    },
-    preferences: {
-      theme: "dark",
-      notifications: true,
-    },
-  },
-};
-```
-
-### Initial Data
-
-```typescript
-const routeWithInitialData = agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Resume Collection",
-  schema: userProfileSchema,
-
-  // Pre-populate known data
-  initialData: {
-    name: "John Doe", // From authentication
-    email: "john@example.com", // From user profile
-    preferences: {
-      theme: "dark", // From user settings
-    },
-  },
-
-  initialStep: {
-    prompt:
-      "Welcome back {{name}}! Let's update your profile. How old are you?",
-    collect: ["age"],
-    skipIf: (data) => data.age !== undefined, // Skip if already known
-  },
-});
-```
-
-### Cross-Route Data Sharing
-
-```typescript
-// Route 1: Basic profile
-const profileRoute = agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Basic Profile",
-  schema: {
-    /* basic fields */
-  },
-});
-
-// Route 2: Extended profile (can access data from Route 1)
-const extendedRoute = agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Extended Profile",
-  schema: {
-    /* extended fields */
-  },
-  initialData: (session) => ({
-    // Access data from previous route
-    ...session.dataByRoute?.["basic-profile"],
-  }),
-});
-```
-
-## AI Response Processing
-
-### Structured Response Schema
-
-The system automatically builds response schemas for AI:
-
-```typescript
-// For a step collecting ["name", "email"]
-const responseSchema = {
-  type: "object",
-  properties: {
-    message: { type: "string" }, // Standard response field
-    name: {
-      /* from route schema */
-    },
-    email: {
-      /* from route schema */
-    },
-  },
-  required: ["message"],
-};
-```
-
-### Tool Integration
-
-Data collection works seamlessly with tools:
-
-```typescript
-const toolEnhancedStep = {
-  prompt: "What's your location? I'll help you find nearby services.",
-  collect: ["location"],
-  tools: ["geolocation-tool"], // Tools can enrich collected data
-  finalize: async (context, data) => {
-    if (data.location) {
-      // Use collected location data
-      const services = await findNearbyServices(data.location);
-      // Update context or trigger next steps
-    }
-  },
-};
-```
-
-## Error Handling & Recovery
-
-### Validation Errors
-
-```typescript
-const robustRoute = agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Robust Collection",
-
-  hooks: {
-    onDataUpdate: (newData, previousData) => {
-      // Handle validation gracefully
-      try {
-        validateUserData(newData);
-        return newData;
-      } catch (error) {
-        // Provide user-friendly error recovery
-        if (error.message.includes("email")) {
-          newData.emailError = "Please provide a valid email address";
-        }
-        return { ...previousData, ...newData };
-      }
-    },
-  },
-});
-```
-
-### Recovery Steps
-
-```typescript
-const recoveryRoute = agent
-  .createRoute({
-    title: "Error Recovery",
-
-    initialStep: {
-      prompt:
-        "I noticed there was an issue with the information provided. Let's try again.",
-      collect: ["correctedData"],
-      when: "if there are validation errors in session data",
-    },
-  })
-  .nextStep({
-    prompt:
-      "Thanks for the correction. Here's what I now have: {{correctedData}}",
-    requires: ["correctedData"],
-  });
-```
-
-## Advanced Patterns
-
-### Progressive Collection
-
-```typescript
-const progressiveRoute = agent
-  .createRoute({
-    title: "Progressive Collection",
-
-    // Start with minimal required data
-    initialStep: {
-      prompt: "Let's get started! What's your name and email?",
-      collect: ["name", "email"],
-    },
-
-    // Add more fields as conversation progresses
-  })
-  .nextStep({
-    prompt: "Great! Now tell me about your interests and preferences.",
-    collect: ["interests", "preferences"],
-    requires: ["name", "email"],
-    skipIf: (data) => data.interests && data.preferences, // Skip if already have both
-  });
-```
-
-### Conditional Schema Expansion
-
-```typescript
-const dynamicRoute = agent
-  .createRoute({
-    title: "Dynamic Collection",
-
-    initialStep: {
-      prompt: "Are you a business user or individual?",
-      collect: ["userType"],
-    },
-  })
-  .branch([
-    {
-      name: "business",
-      step: {
-        prompt: "For business users, I need company information...",
-        collect: ["companyName", "industry", "companySize"],
-        requires: ["userType"],
-      },
-    },
-    {
-      name: "individual",
-      step: {
-        prompt: "For individual users, tell me about your interests...",
-        collect: ["personalInterests", "occupation"],
-        requires: ["userType"],
-      },
-    },
-  ]);
-```
-
-## Best Practices
-
-### Schema Design
-
-1. **Start Simple**: Begin with required fields only
-2. **Progressive Enhancement**: Add optional fields as needed
-3. **Clear Descriptions**: Document field purposes in schema
-4. **Validation Rules**: Use JSON Schema constraints effectively
-
-### Collection Strategy
-
-1. **Logical Order**: Collect prerequisite data first
-2. **Smart Skipping**: Skip already-known information
-3. **Natural Flow**: Make conversations feel organic
-4. **Error Recovery**: Plan for validation failures
-
-### Performance
-
-1. **Minimal Schemas**: Only define needed fields
-2. **Efficient Hooks**: Avoid expensive operations in data hooks
-3. **Caching**: Cache external validation results
-4. **Batch Updates**: Group related field collections
-
-### Testing
-
-```typescript
-// Test data collection — classic signature
-const mockSession = createSession();
-
-// Or pre-populate fields with the partial state overload
-const prepopulatedSession = createSession({
-  data: { name: "Test User", email: "test@example.com" },
-});
-
-const testData = {
-  name: "Test User",
-  email: "test@example.com",
-};
-
-// Simulate collection
-const updatedSession = mergeCollected(mockSession, testData);
-
-// Validate against schema
-const isValid = validateAgainstSchema(testData, route.schema);
-```
-
-## Integration Examples
-
-### Database Persistence
-
-```typescript
-const dbRoute = agent.createRoute({
-  title: "Database-Backed Collection",
-
-  hooks: {
-    onDataUpdate: async (newData, previousData) => {
-      // Auto-save to database
-      if (newData.email && newData.email !== previousData.email) {
-        await saveEmailToDatabase(newData.email);
-      }
-      return newData;
-    },
-  },
-});
-```
-
-### External API Integration
-
-```typescript
-const apiRoute = agent.createRoute({
-  title: "API-Enhanced Collection",
-
-  hooks: {
-    onDataUpdate: async (newData, previousData) => {
-      // Enrich data with external APIs
-      if (newData.zipCode && !newData.city) {
-        const locationData = await geocodeZipCode(newData.zipCode);
-        newData.city = locationData.city;
-        newData.state = locationData.state;
-      }
-      return newData;
-    },
-  },
-});
-```
-
-The schema-driven data collection system transforms natural conversations into structured, validated data while maintaining the flexibility and intelligence of AI-driven interactions.