// agents · a2aproject/A2A

A2A

The open protocol that lets AI agents talk to each other.

★ 26.1k stars⑂ 2.7k forksApache-2.0updated 2026-10
▦ visual — this project's README ships no embeddable screenshot,
so here's a placeholder. The guide below is complete regardless.
// project facts

Project facts

A2A is an open-source ai agents project by a2aproject (a2aproject/A2A on GitHub). It has 26,067 GitHub stars and 2,657 forks, is released under the Apache-2.0 license, and was last updated on GitHub on 7 October 2026.

Repository
a2aproject/A2A
GitHub stars
26,067
Forks
2,657
License
Apache-2.0
Last updated on GitHub
7 October 2026
Category
AI Agents
Listing
Full install guide
Official site
Official site
// how it works

How it works

  1. Scope the task

    Write down the outcome you want in one sentence.

  2. Fetch the repo

    Clone it locally and check the README.

  3. Install prerequisites

    Get dependencies and tooling in place per the docs.

  4. Run the quickstart

    Follow the minimal example, then adapt it to your needs.

// features

Why people love it

Open standard

A public spec anyone can implement.

Cross-vendor interop

Agents from different builders, talking.

Linux Foundation governance

Neutral stewardship, not one company's API.

MCP complementary

MCP links agents to tools; A2A links agents to agents.

Task-based messaging

Structured around delegating work.

Language-agnostic

Implement it in whatever stack you use.

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// run it

Run it yourself

  1. Step 1 — Clone the spec

    Download the specification source.

    git clone https://github.com/a2aproject/A2A.git
    cd A2A
  2. Step 2 — Read the protocol

    Start with the spec documents and any diagrams.

    find . -name '*.md' | head -20
  3. Step 3 — Try an implementation

    Look for reference implementations or SDKs linked from the README.

    # see README for implementations in your language
// use cases

What you can build

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// faq

Questions, answered

Who maintains A2A?

It is an open-source project at a2aproject/A2A with 2657 forks. Check the contributors tab and recent commits to judge how active maintenance is.

Is A2A free to use?

Yes — Apache 2.0 allows commercial use and modification. Keep the license and notice files, and note it includes a patent grant.

Is A2A software I install?

No — it's a protocol specification. You implement it (or use libraries that do) so your agents can interoperate.

A2A vs MCP?

Complementary: MCP connects agents to tools; A2A connects agents to agents.

How do I get started?

Clone the repo and follow the README quickstart — the docs at https://a2a-protocol.org/ walk through setup.

// keep exploring

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// alternatives

Alternatives in AI Agents

The most-starred other AI Agents projects in the LibreAI catalogue — the realistic shortlist if A2A is not the right fit.

Get A2A

Free and open — grab the source, star the repo, and start creating.