> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://connect.watson-orchestrate.ibm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# AI Product Onboarding

## Introduction

**watsonx Orchestrate** supports two types of agents: **native agents** and **external agents**.

* **External agents** are services hosted by partners or customers outside of WXO. They expose an API that watsonx Orchestrate can call when needed.
* **Native agents** are built and deployed directly within Orchestrate. They use IBM-managed models, tools, and runtime.

An external agent is typically implemented as a REST service that conforms to a [chat completions <Icon icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" iconType="solid" />](https://github.com/watson-developer-cloud/watsonx-orchestrate-developer-toolkit/blob/main/external_agent/spec.yaml) interface. This allows it to receive conversation history and return structured responses in real time.

Because external agents cannot be chatted with directly, they are always used as collaborators to a native agent. The native agent acts as the **host agent**, and delegates specific tasks to the external agent when appropriate.

## Video guide

<iframe src="https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/134716227" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen className="w-full h-96 rounded-xl" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" />

## Choose your agent type

Select the type of agent you want to create and list in the watsonx Orchestrate Agent Catalog:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="External Agent" icon="cloud" href="/agent/onboard-external">
    Host your agent externally and connect it to watsonx Orchestrate via API. Submit your agent details through the IBM Concierge web form.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Native Agent" icon="code" href="/agent/onboard-native">
    Build and deploy your agent directly within watsonx Orchestrate using the Agent Development Kit (ADK). Package and submit your agent for catalog listing.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## MCP Server Integration (Optional)

<Card title="MCP Server Integration" icon="server" href="/agent/mcp-server">
  List your Remote MCP server in the watsonx Orchestrate catalog. Partners can submit MCP specifications through the IBM Concierge web form or manual submission. Requires APP\_ID from IBM Ecosystem team.
</Card>

<Info>
  **Interim solution**: MCP listing capability available end of March. Submit your MCP specification through the IBM Concierge app or via email with your assigned APP\_ID.
</Info>

## What IBM checks during onboarding

When you submit your agent, the IBM Concierge and IBM onboarding team validate:

* **Offering metadata**: publisher, tags, category, and icon are properly set.
* **Agent definition**: API details, authentication scheme, and structure are correct.
* **TSV validation files**: test cases are provided for both native and external agents.
* **Evaluation artifacts**: validation results and metrics are included and show that the agent is functional.
* **Folder structure** (native agents only): matches the required scaffold (agents, offerings, evaluations, etc.).
* **App ID** (native agents with tools): unique identifier is properly configured.
* **MCP server specification** (if applicable): JSON configuration is complete, APP\_ID is assigned, and test credentials are provided.

If something is missing, the onboarding team will ask you to repackage and resubmit.

## What happens after approval

* **Catalog publishing**: Once your submission is reviewed and approved, your agent enters the publishing queue for the watsonx Orchestrate Catalog.

* **Discovery & provisioning**: End-users will then be able to find your agent in the catalog, provision it into their own environment, and use it directly in Orchestrate flows.

* **Ongoing updates**: To ship new features or fixes, simply increment the version number in your agent definition, re-run the packaging process (for native agents) or update your submission (for external agents), and resubmit through the IBM Concierge app. The same validation and approval process applies.

## Need help?

For questions or support during the onboarding process:

* Email: **[IBMAgentConnect@ibm.com](mailto:IBMAgentConnect@ibm.com)**
* Include your agent name and company name in the subject line
* Contact [IBM Support](https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/watsonx/watson-orchestrate/base?topic=notes-getting-help-support) for technical assistance