> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.agenticenv.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Execution Config
> Set timeout and max attempts per operation — LLM calls, tools, MCP, sub-agents, memory, and more.
The agent loop runs several operations in sequence: an LLM call, optional tool executions, memory reads/writes, conversation persistence, and sub-agent delegation. By default, each operation uses a conservative SDK-wide timeout and attempt limit. Execution config lets you tune these per operation without changing the global agent timeout.
## How it works
Provide an `ExecutionConfig` for one or more operations via `With*ExecutionConfig` options when creating the agent. Zero fields keep the SDK default — only set what you want to change.
```go theme={null}
type ExecutionConfig struct {
Timeout time.Duration // 0 = keep SDK default
MaxAttempts int // 0 = keep SDK default; 1 = single attempt
}
```
At runtime the SDK merges your overrides onto the defaults and produces a fully resolved policy — including exponential backoff — that the runtime enforces on each attempt.
## SDK defaults
| Operation | Option | Default Timeout | Default MaxAttempts |
| - | - | - | - |
| LLM generate / stream | `WithLLMExecutionConfig` | 30 min | 3 |
| Tool authorization | `WithToolAuthExecutionConfig` | 30 min | 1 |
| Tool execution | `WithToolExecutionConfig` | 30 min | 3 |
| MCP | `WithMCPExecutionConfig` | 30 min | 3 |
| A2A | `WithA2AExecutionConfig` | 30 min | 3 |
| Retriever prefetch | `WithRetrieverExecutionConfig` | 5 min | 3 |
| Memory recall / store | `WithMemoryExecutionConfig` | 5 min | 3 |
| Conversation persist | `WithConversationExecutionConfig` | 30 s | 1 |
| Sub-agent delegation | `WithSubAgentExecutionConfig` | *(agent run timeout)* | 1 |
Sub-agent timeout has no fixed SDK default — when no override is set and the resolved timeout is still zero, the **agent run timeout** (`WithTimeout`) is used as the ceiling.
## Retry backoff
When `MaxAttempts` is greater than 1, failed attempts use exponential backoff with SDK defaults:
| Parameter | Value |
| - | - |
| Initial interval | 1 s |
| Backoff coefficient | 2× |
| Maximum interval | 10 min |
`MaxAttempts: 1` runs the operation once with no retry. Backoff is not user-configurable today.
## Usage
Override only the operations you want to tune:
```go theme={null}
a, err := agent.NewAgent(
agent.WithLLMClient(llmClient),
// LLM: tighter timeout for a chat agent; up to 3 attempts for transient errors.
agent.WithLLMExecutionConfig(agent.ExecutionConfig{
Timeout: 10 * time.Minute,
MaxAttempts: 3,
}),
// Tools: fast operations — short deadline, single attempt.
agent.WithToolExecutionConfig(agent.ExecutionConfig{
Timeout: 2 * time.Minute,
MaxAttempts: 1,
}),
// Sub-agents: explicit ceiling of the agent run timeout.
agent.WithSubAgentExecutionConfig(agent.ExecutionConfig{
Timeout: 5 * time.Minute,
}),
)
```
### Override a single field
Zero fields fall through to the SDK default:
```go theme={null}
// Extend LLM timeout only — MaxAttempts stays at SDK default (3).
agent.WithLLMExecutionConfig(agent.ExecutionConfig{
Timeout: 45 * time.Minute,
})
// Reduce max attempts only — Timeout stays at SDK default (30m).
agent.WithToolAuthExecutionConfig(agent.ExecutionConfig{
MaxAttempts: 2,
})
```
## Relationship to agent run timeout
`ExecutionConfig` controls individual operation attempts. The agent run timeout (`WithTimeout` or context deadline) is a ceiling on the **entire run** — if it fires, the run ends regardless of where the current operation is.
| Timeout type | Scope | Set via |
| - | - | - |
| Agent run timeout | Entire `Run` / `Stream` call | `WithTimeout` or context deadline |
| Per-operation timeout | Single attempt of one operation | `With*ExecutionConfig` |
A single LLM call timing out after `Timeout` does not end the run — it counts as a failed attempt and may be retried until `MaxAttempts` is exhausted. The run ends only if the agent run timeout fires or all attempts are exhausted.
## Relationship to error control
[`WithErrorControl`](/features/error-control) hooks run **after** these retries. Do not stack a hook-level retry on top of `MaxAttempts`. `OnLLMFailure` sees the error from the last attempt; `OnMaxIterationsExceeded` is independent of per-operation retries.
## Works with both runtimes
Execution config applies to the in-process, Temporal, and Restate runtimes with the same semantics.
## Example
LLM, tool, and sub-agent overrides with calculator and time tools
## Related
Agent run timeout, approval timeout, and agent modes
Per-tool approval timeout and approval handler
Sub-agent delegation and depth limits
MCP integration
Fallback and extend-iterations after retries exhaust
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