ExamplescriptintermediateRunnableresearch-brief
Search Handbook
Runnable example (intermediate) for script using docling, openai.
Key Facts
- Level
- intermediate
- Runtime
- Python • OpenAI API
- Pattern
- Context-backed research with explicit evidence
- Interaction
- Live sandbox • Script
- Updated
- 14 March 2026
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Linked principles
3-search-handbook.py
python
# --------------------------------------------------------------
# Search Handbook with Dynamic Tool Calls
# --------------------------------------------------------------
import json
from pathlib import Path
from typing import List
from openai import OpenAI
from pydantic import BaseModel
client = OpenAI()
MODEL = "gpt-4.1-nano"
HANDBOOK_PATH = Path(__file__).parent / "data" / "handbook.md"
# --------------------------------------------------------------
# Define the output models
# --------------------------------------------------------------
class Citation(BaseModel):
text: str
section: str
class HandbookAnswer(BaseModel):
answer: str
citations: List[Citation]
# --------------------------------------------------------------
# Handbook search function (called as a tool)
# --------------------------------------------------------------
def search_handbook(query: str) -> str:
"""Retrieve the handbook content for the agent to interpret.
Note: The query parameter is accepted but not used - we return the full handbook.
This simulates Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). In a real application with
large handbooks or contexts, you would implement semantic search, filtering, or
chunking to retrieve only relevant sections based on the query.
Returns: The full handbook content as a string
"""
if not HANDBOOK_PATH.exists():
return "Handbook not found."
handbook_content = HANDBOOK_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
return handbook_content
# --------------------------------------------------------------
# Define the tool
# --------------------------------------------------------------
tools = [
{
"type": "function",
"name": "search_handbook",
"description": "Retrieve the AI implementation handbook content. Use this when the user asks questions about AI implementation requirements, regulations, or procedures. The handbook contains policies, regulations, and guidelines for Dutch government organizations.",
"parameters": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"query": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The question or query - used for context, but the full handbook will be returned",
},
},
"required": ["query"],
"additionalProperties": False,
},
"strict": True,
}
]
# --------------------------------------------------------------
# Agent function that uses tools dynamically
# --------------------------------------------------------------
def call_function(name: str, args: dict) -> str:
if name == "search_handbook":
return search_handbook(**args)
raise ValueError(f"Unknown function: {name}")
def ask_agent(query: str) -> HandbookAnswer:
"""Ask the agent a question. It will decide whether to search the handbook."""
input_messages = [{"role": "user", "content": query}]
response = client.responses.create(
model=MODEL,
input=input_messages,
tools=tools,
instructions="You are a helpful assistant for Dutch government organizations. You can help answer questions about AI implementation policies and regulations by searching the handbook. If asked what you can do, simply explain your capabilities without searching the handbook.",
)
tool_calls_made = False
# Append all output items in order to preserve reasoning relationships
for output_item in response.output:
# Append the output item first (includes reasoning if present)
input_messages.append(output_item)
if output_item.type == "function_call":
tool_calls_made = True
name = output_item.name
args = json.loads(output_item.arguments)
print(f"Tool called: {name}")
result = call_function(name, args)
print(f"Handbook retrieved ({len(result)} chars)")
# Append function call output after the function call
input_messages.append(
{
"type": "function_call_output",
"call_id": output_item.call_id,
"output": result,
}
)
if not tool_calls_made:
print("No tool call needed, responding directly\n")
# For direct responses, return structured output without citations
direct_response = client.responses.parse(
model=MODEL,
input=input_messages,
instructions="You are a helpful assistant for Dutch government organizations.",
text_format=HandbookAnswer,
)
return direct_response.output[-1].content[-1].parsed
final_response = client.responses.parse(
model=MODEL,
input=input_messages,
tools=tools,
instructions="You are a helpful assistant for Dutch government organizations. Use the handbook content that was retrieved to answer the user's question. Provide a clear, comprehensive answer. Include only the most important citations (2-4 maximum) that reference the primary sections where the key information comes from. Each citation should include a brief text excerpt and the section number (e.g., '2.1', '3.2'). Do not cite every detail - only cite the main sources.",
text_format=HandbookAnswer,
)
return final_response.output[-1].content[-1].parsed
# --------------------------------------------------------------
# Example queries
# --------------------------------------------------------------
example_queries = [
"What can you do?",
"What are the requirements for registering an AI system in the Algorithm Register?",
"Do I need to perform an IAMA for a chatbot that answers citizen questions?",
]
# Test with example queries
if __name__ == "__main__":
for query in example_queries:
print(f"\n{'=' * 60}")
print(f"Query: {query}")
print(f"{'=' * 60}\n")
result = ask_agent(query)
print(f"Answer: {result.answer}\n")
if result.citations:
print("Citations:")
for citation in result.citations:
print(f" Section {citation.section}: {citation.text[:100]}...")
print()
Related principles
- P4trustApply progressive disclosure to system agencyProvide the minimum information necessary by default, while enabling users to inspect additional detail when confidence, understanding, or intervention is required.Open principle →
- P6visibilityExpose meaningful operational state, not internal complexityPresent the state of the system in language and structures that are relevant to the user, rather than exposing low-level internals that do not support action or understanding.Open principle →
- P7trustEstablish trust through inspectabilityUsers should be able to examine how a result was produced when confidence, accountability, or decision quality is important.Open principle →
- P9orchestrationRepresent delegated work as a system, not merely as a conversationWhere work involves multiple steps, agents, dependencies, or concurrent activities, it should be represented as a structured system rather than solely as a message stream.Open principle →