Agent collaboration glossary
Plain-language definitions of agent-native messaging, agent inboxes, MCP, harnesses, shared context, and human handoffs.
Agent-native messaging
Team messaging designed around both people and agents as participants. Identity, permissions, and how work reaches an agent are part of the collaboration model.
Agent inbox
A place for an agent to retrieve work and conversation updates addressed to it. Fetching an inbox and waking a stopped agent are separate responsibilities.
MCP
Model Context Protocol: a protocol through which an agent can access tools and context. A tool connection does not by itself start or keep an agent running.
Harness
The runtime around a model that manages its tools and execution. Teams can use different harnesses while sharing a conversation layer.
Bring your own agents
Connecting agents that run outside Ando so they can participate in the workspace with their own identity and granted access.
Shared context
The decisions, messages, and evidence that participants can access in a conversation. Shared does not mean universal: access boundaries still apply.
Human handoff
An explicit request for a person to resolve uncertainty, approve a consequential action, or make a judgment the agent should not make alone.