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Overview

Edges define how execution flows between nodes in your agent graph. Unlike traditional frameworks that hardcode workflows, Aden’s edges are dynamically generated based on your goals.

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Edge Types

TypeTriggerUse Case
on_successNode completes successfullyNormal flow progression
on_failureNode throws an errorError handling, retries
conditionalOutput matches a conditionBranching logic

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Basic Syntax

{
  "edges": [
    {"from": "node_a", "to": "node_b", "type": "on_success"},
    {"from": "node_a", "to": "error_handler", "type": "on_failure"},
    {"from": "router", "to": "path_a", "when": "category == 'A'"},
    {"from": "router", "to": "path_b", "when": "category == 'B'"}
  ]
}

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Success Edges

Execute the next node when the current node completes without errors. 
{
  "from": "classify_request",
  "to": "generate_response",
  "type": "on_success"
}

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Passing Data

Output from the source node becomes input for the target:

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Failure Edges

Execute when a node throws an error or times out. 
{
  "from": "api_call",
  "to": "retry_handler",
  "type": "on_failure"
}

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Error Context

Failed nodes pass error information: 
{
  "error": {
    "type": "TimeoutError",
    "message": "Request timed out after 30s",
    "node_id": "api_call",
    "attempt": 1
  },
  "original_input": {...}
}

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Retry Pattern

{
  "nodes": [
    {
      "id": "api_call",
      "type": "function",
      "handler": "tools.external_api"
    },
    {
      "id": "retry_handler",
      "type": "function",
      "handler": "tools.retry_with_backoff",
      "config": {"max_attempts": 3, "backoff": "exponential"}
    }
  ],
  "edges": [
    {"from": "api_call", "to": "next_step", "type": "on_success"},
    {"from": "api_call", "to": "retry_handler", "type": "on_failure"},
    {"from": "retry_handler", "to": "api_call", "type": "on_success"},
    {"from": "retry_handler", "to": "fallback", "type": "on_failure"}
  ]
}

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Conditional Edges

Route based on output values using expressions. 
{
  "from": "sentiment_analysis",
  "to": "escalate",
  "when": "sentiment == 'negative' && confidence > 0.8"
}

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Expression Syntax

OperatorDescriptionExample
==Equalsstatus == 'approved'
NOT_EQUALNot equalstype NOT_EQUAL 'spam'
>, <, >=, <=Comparisonscore >= 0.7
&&Logical ANDtype == 'urgent' && priority > 5
||Logical ORstatus == 'error' OR retries > 3
inContainscategory in ['billing', 'sales']

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Accessing Nested Values

{
  "when": "response.metadata.confidence > 0.9"
}

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Multiple Outgoing Edges

A node can have multiple outgoing edges: 
{
  "edges": [
    {"from": "analyze", "to": "approve", "when": "risk == 'low'"},
    {"from": "analyze", "to": "review", "when": "risk == 'medium'"},
    {"from": "analyze", "to": "reject", "when": "risk == 'high'"},
    {"from": "analyze", "to": "error_handler", "type": "on_failure"}
  ]
}

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Default Path

Use a default edge when no conditions match: 
{
  "edges": [
    {"from": "router", "to": "path_a", "when": "type == 'A'"},
    {"from": "router", "to": "path_b", "when": "type == 'B'"},
    {"from": "router", "to": "default_handler", "default": true}
  ]
}

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Parallel Execution

Execute multiple nodes in parallel by having multiple success edges: 
{
  "edges": [
    {"from": "start", "to": "task_a", "type": "on_success", "parallel": true},
    {"from": "start", "to": "task_b", "type": "on_success", "parallel": true},
    {"from": "start", "to": "task_c", "type": "on_success", "parallel": true},
    {"from": ["task_a", "task_b", "task_c"], "to": "aggregate", "type": "on_all_success"}
  ]
}

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Join Strategies

StrategyDescription
on_all_successWait for all parallel nodes to succeed
on_any_successContinue when first node succeeds
on_all_completeWait for all to complete (success or failure)

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Edge Transformation

Transform data between nodes: 
{
  "from": "extract_entities",
  "to": "validate_entities",
  "type": "on_success",
  "transform": {
    "entities": "$.output.entities",
    "source_document": "$.input.document_id"
  }
}

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Visualization

Your agent graph can be visualized:

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Next Steps

Human-in-the-Loop

Add human intervention points to your graph

Testing Agents

Test your agent’s edge behavior