Exercise - Build an agent tool backend on Azure Database for PostgreSQL
In this exercise, you create an Azure Database for PostgreSQL instance that serves as a tool backend for an AI agent. The database stores conversation context and task state that an agent can read and write during operation. You design a schema for agent memory, build Python functions that serve as agent tools, and test the complete workflow. This pattern provides a foundation for building AI agents that maintain persistent memory across sessions and can resume interrupted tasks.
Tasks performed in this exercise:
- Download project starter files and configure the deployment script
- Deploy an Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server with Microsoft Entra authentication
- Build Python tool functions for conversation and task state management
- Create a database schema for agent memory with tables for conversations, messages, and task checkpoints
- Test the agent memory workflow using a provided test script
- Query conversation context using SQL
This exercise takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Before you start
To complete the exercise, you need:
- An Azure subscription with the permissions to deploy the necessary Azure services. If you don't already have one, you can sign up for one.
- Visual Studio Code on one of the supported platforms.
- The latest version of the Azure CLI.
- Python 3.12 or greater.
- PostgreSQL command-line tools (psql)
Get started
Select the Launch Exercise button to open the exercise instructions in a new browser window. When you're finished with the exercise, return here to:
- Complete the module
- Earn a badge for completing this module
