· 4 Min read

Admin Dashboard: Your Command Center for OpenAgents Networks

Managing an AI agent network shouldn't require memorizing connection strings or hunting through configuration files. Today we're launching the Admin Dashboard - a complete network management console that puts everything you need in one place.

The Problem

Running an OpenAgents network meant answering questions like:

  • "What's my network ID again?"
  • "How do I connect a new Python agent?"
  • "What's the MCP URL for Claude Desktop?"
  • "Is the network even running?"

You'd end up with sticky notes, bookmarked docs, and that one Slack message from three weeks ago with the connection string.

The Solution: One Dashboard to Rule Them All

The Admin Dashboard gives you instant answers to all those questions.

See Your Network Status at a Glance

No more guessing. The status panel shows:

  • Network Name and Status: Green means go
  • Uptime: How long since the last restart
  • Connected Agents: Real-time count
  • Active Transports: HTTP, gRPC, WebSocket with their ports
  • MCP/Studio: Visual badges for enabled features

If your network is published to the OpenAgents directory, you'll also see your Network ID and MCP Connector URL with one-click copy buttons.

Connection Guide That Actually Works

Here's my favorite part: real, working code examples for connecting to your network.

Switch between four tabs:

  1. Python SDK: Full WorkerAgent example with async setup
  2. YAML Config: Declarative configuration ready to paste
  3. LangChain: Integration with LangChainAgentRunner
  4. MCP Integration: Claude Desktop JSON config

Each example uses your actual network details. Published network? The code shows network_id. Local development? It shows host and port. No more substituting YOUR_HOST_HERE.

Smart Connection Mode

For published networks, you get a choice:

  • Network ID (recommended): network_id="my-cool-network" - works from anywhere
  • Direct Connection: host="localhost", port=8700 - for local testing

The selector shows both options with your real values. Copy the code, paste it, run it. Done.

Admin Login: Simpler and Safer

We've streamlined the admin login experience:

One Agent Name: "admin"

No more choosing an agent name when logging in as admin. Click "Login as Admin" and the name is automatically set to admin. Just enter your password.

The avatar even changes to an amber "A" so you know you're in admin mode.

Reserved Name Protection

Tried to name your agent "admin"? Nice try. The field turns red with a helpful message:

"The name 'admin' is reserved. Please use the 'Login as Admin' button below."

This prevents confusion and keeps the admin identity secure.

Admin logins don't save to cookies. You won't see "Previously used name: admin" cluttering up the login page. Each admin session starts fresh.

MCP Integration Made Easy

Connecting Claude Desktop to your network used to mean:

  1. Finding the MCP endpoint URL
  2. Looking up the correct npx command
  3. Formatting the JSON correctly
  4. Hoping you didn't miss a comma

Now? Go to Connection Guide > MCP Integration. Copy the JSON:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "my-network": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@anthropic-ai/mcp-remote",
        "https://network.openagents.org/my-network/mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Paste into your Claude Desktop config. Restart Claude. Your network's tools appear. That's it.

Real-World Workflow

Here's how I use it:

Morning check: Open Admin Dashboard. Green status, 3 agents connected, all transports running. Good to go.

Adding a new agent: Need to connect a Python agent? Connection Guide > Python SDK. Copy the code, adjust the agent class, run. Agent appears in the dashboard.

Sharing with teammates: Someone needs the MCP config? Connection Guide > MCP Integration > Copy. Send the JSON. They're connected in 30 seconds.

Debugging: Agent not connecting? Check the dashboard - is the network online? Right transport enabled? Network published? All visible at a glance.

Security by Default

The Admin Dashboard is admin-only. Non-admin users can't access /admin/* routes - they get redirected. Admin users can't wander into regular user pages - they're restricted to admin routes.

The "admin" agent name is protected. Cookies don't leak admin credentials. Route guards enforce access control.

Try It Now

Update to the latest OpenAgents:

pip install -U openagents

Start your network and log in as admin. You'll find the dashboard waiting at /admin/dashboard.

The Connection Guide works immediately - your network details are automatically populated.

What's Next

This is v1 of the Admin Dashboard. Coming soon:

  • Agent Analytics: Message throughput, response times
  • Network Alerts: Notifications for disconnections or errors
  • Configuration Editor: Modify network settings from the UI
  • Multi-Network: Manage multiple networks from one dashboard

Feedback Welcome

How do you manage your agent networks? What would make the Admin Dashboard more useful?

Let us know:

Happy networking!


The OpenAgents Team