diff --git a/libs/langgraph/langgraph/agent/__init__.py b/libs/langgraph/langgraph/agent/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a7b8c1d19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/langgraph/langgraph/agent/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,178 @@
+from collections.abc import Sequence
+from typing import Callable, cast
+
+from langchain_core.language_models.chat_models import BaseChatModel
+from langchain_core.messages import AIMessage, SystemMessage
+from langchain_core.tools import BaseTool
+
+from langgraph.agent.types import AgentInput, AgentMiddleware, AgentState, ModelRequest
+from langgraph.constants import END, START
+from langgraph.graph.state import StateGraph
+from langgraph.prebuilt.tool_node import ToolNode
+
+
+def create_agent(
+    *,
+    model: str | BaseChatModel,
+    tools: Sequence[BaseTool | Callable],
+    system_prompt: str,
+    middleware: Sequence[AgentMiddleware] = (),
+) -> StateGraph[AgentState, None, AgentInput]:
+    # init chat model
+    if isinstance(model, str):
+        try:
+            from langchain.chat_models import (  # type: ignore[import-not-found]
+                init_chat_model,
+            )
+        except ImportError:
+            raise ImportError(
+                "Please install langchain (`pip install langchain`) to "
+                "use '<provider>:<model>' string syntax for `model` parameter."
+            )
+
+        model = cast(BaseChatModel, init_chat_model(model))
+
+    # init tool node
+    tool_node = ToolNode(tools=tools)
+
+    # validate middleware
+    assert len({m.__class__.__name__ for m in middleware}) == len(middleware), (
+        "Please remove duplicate middleware instances."
+    )  # this is just to keep the node names simple, we can change if needed
+    middleware_w_before = [
+        m
+        for m in middleware
+        if m.__class__.before_model is not AgentMiddleware.before_model
+    ]
+    middleware_w_after = [
+        m
+        for m in middleware
+        if m.__class__.after_model is not AgentMiddleware.after_model
+    ]
+
+    # create graph, add nodes
+    graph = StateGraph(AgentState, input_schema=AgentInput)
+    graph.add_node(
+        "model_request",
+        _make_model_request_node(
+            model=model,
+            tools=list(tool_node.tools_by_name.values()),
+            system_prompt=system_prompt,
+            middleware=middleware,
+        ),
+    )
+    graph.add_node("tools", tool_node)
+    for m in middleware:
+        if m.__class__.before_model is not AgentMiddleware.before_model:
+            graph.add_node(f"{m.__class__.__name__}.before_model", m.before_model)
+        if m.__class__.after_model is not AgentMiddleware.after_model:
+            graph.add_node(f"{m.__class__.__name__}.after_model", m.after_model)
+
+    # add start edge
+    first_node = (
+        f"{middleware_w_before[0].__class__.__name__}.before_model"
+        if middleware_w_before
+        else "model_request"
+    )
+    last_node = (
+        f"{middleware_w_after[0].__class__.__name__}.after_model"
+        if middleware_w_after
+        else "model_request"
+    )
+    graph.add_edge(START, first_node)
+
+    # add cond edges
+    graph.add_conditional_edges(
+        "tools",
+        _make_tools_to_model_edge(tool_node, first_node),
+        [first_node, END],
+    )
+    graph.add_conditional_edges(last_node, _make_model_to_tools_edge(), ["tools", END])
+
+    # add before model edges
+    if middleware_w_before:
+        for m1, m2 in zip(middleware_w_before, middleware_w_before[1:]):
+            graph.add_edge(
+                f"{m1.__class__.__name__}.before_model",
+                f"{m2.__class__.__name__}.before_model",
+            )
+        graph.add_edge(
+            f"{middleware_w_before[-1].__class__.__name__}.before_model",
+            "model_request",
+        )
+
+    # add after model edges
+    if middleware_w_after:
+        graph.add_edge(
+            "model_request", f"{middleware_w_after[-1].__class__.__name__}.after_model"
+        )
+        for idx in range(len(middleware_w_after) - 1, 0, -1):
+            m1 = middleware_w_after[idx]
+            m2 = middleware_w_after[idx - 1]
+            graph.add_edge(
+                f"{m1.__class__.__name__}.after_model",
+                f"{m2.__class__.__name__}.after_model",
+            )
+
+    return graph
+
+
+def _make_model_request_node(
+    *,
+    system_prompt: str,
+    model: BaseChatModel,
+    tools: Sequence[BaseTool],
+    middleware: Sequence[AgentMiddleware],
+) -> Callable[[AgentState], AgentState]:
+    def model_request(state: AgentState) -> AgentState:
+        # create request
+        request = ModelRequest(
+            model=model,
+            system_prompt=system_prompt,
+            messages=state.messages,
+            tool_choice=None,
+            tools=tools,
+        )
+        # visit middleware in order
+        for mw in middleware:
+            request = mw.modify_model_request(request)
+        # prepare messages
+        if request.system_prompt:
+            messages = [SystemMessage(request.system_prompt)] + request.messages
+        else:
+            messages = request.messages
+        # call model
+        output = request.model.invoke(
+            messages, tools=request.tools, tool_choice=request.tool_choice
+        )
+        return {"messages": output}
+
+    return model_request
+
+
+def _make_model_to_tools_edge() -> Callable[[AgentState], str | None]:
+    def model_to_tools(state: AgentState) -> str | None:
+        message = state.messages[-1]
+        if isinstance(message, AIMessage) and message.tool_calls:
+            return "tools"
+
+        return END
+
+    return model_to_tools
+
+
+def _make_tools_to_model_edge(
+    tool_node: ToolNode, next_node: str
+) -> Callable[[AgentState], str | None]:
+    def tools_to_model(state: AgentState) -> str | None:
+        ai_message = [m for m in state.messages if isinstance(m, AIMessage)][-1]
+        if all(
+            tool_node.tools_by_name[c["name"]].return_direct
+            for c in ai_message.tool_calls
+            if c["name"] in tool_node.tools_by_name
+        ):
+            return END
+
+        return next_node
+
+    return tools_to_model
diff --git a/libs/langgraph/langgraph/agent/types.py b/libs/langgraph/langgraph/agent/types.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..54ed7cc84
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/langgraph/langgraph/agent/types.py
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from collections.abc import Sequence
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Annotated, Any, Self
+
+from langchain_core.language_models.chat_models import BaseChatModel
+from langchain_core.messages import AnyMessage
+from langchain_core.tools import BaseTool
+from typing_extensions import TypedDict
+
+from langgraph.graph.message import Messages, add_messages
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ModelRequest:
+    model: BaseChatModel
+    system_prompt: str
+    messages: Sequence[AnyMessage]  # excluding system prompt
+    tool_choice: Any
+    tools: Sequence[BaseTool]
+
+
+class AgentMiddleware:
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def __copy__(self) -> Self:
+        return self.__class__(**self.__dict__)
+
+    def before_model(self, state: AgentState) -> AgentState | None:
+        pass
+
+    def modify_model_request(self, request: ModelRequest) -> ModelRequest:
+        return request
+
+    def after_model(self, state: AgentState) -> AgentState | None:
+        pass
+
+
+class AgentInput(TypedDict):
+    messages: Messages
+
+
+@dataclass
+class AgentState:
+    messages: Annotated[list[AnyMessage], add_messages]
diff --git a/libs/langgraph/tests/__snapshots__/test_agent.ambr b/libs/langgraph/tests/__snapshots__/test_agent.ambr
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8aa887354
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/langgraph/tests/__snapshots__/test_agent.ambr
@@ -0,0 +1,279 @@
+# serializer version: 1
+# name: test_create_agent_diagram
+  '''
+  ---
+  config:
+    flowchart:
+      curve: linear
+  ---
+  graph TD;
+  	__start__([<p>__start__</p>]):::first
+  	model_request(model_request)
+  	tools(tools)
+  	__end__([<p>__end__</p>]):::last
+  	__start__ --> model_request;
+  	model_request -.-> __end__;
+  	model_request -.-> tools;
+  	tools -.-> __end__;
+  	tools -.-> model_request;
+  	classDef default fill:#f2f0ff,line-height:1.2
+  	classDef first fill-opacity:0
+  	classDef last fill:#bfb6fc
+  
+  '''
+# ---
+# name: test_create_agent_diagram.1
+  '''
+  ---
+  config:
+    flowchart:
+      curve: linear
+  ---
+  graph TD;
+  	__start__([<p>__start__</p>]):::first
+  	model_request(model_request)
+  	tools(tools)
+  	NoopOne_before_model(NoopOne.before_model)
+  	__end__([<p>__end__</p>]):::last
+  	NoopOne_before_model --> model_request;
+  	__start__ --> NoopOne_before_model;
+  	model_request -.-> __end__;
+  	model_request -.-> tools;
+  	tools -.-> NoopOne_before_model;
+  	tools -.-> __end__;
+  	classDef default fill:#f2f0ff,line-height:1.2
+  	classDef first fill-opacity:0
+  	classDef last fill:#bfb6fc
+  
+  '''
+# ---
+# name: test_create_agent_diagram.2
+  '''
+  ---
+  config:
+    flowchart:
+      curve: linear
+  ---
+  graph TD;
+  	__start__([<p>__start__</p>]):::first
+  	model_request(model_request)
+  	tools(tools)
+  	NoopOne_before_model(NoopOne.before_model)
+  	NoopTwo_before_model(NoopTwo.before_model)
+  	__end__([<p>__end__</p>]):::last
+  	NoopOne_before_model --> NoopTwo_before_model;
+  	NoopTwo_before_model --> model_request;
+  	__start__ --> NoopOne_before_model;
+  	model_request -.-> __end__;
+  	model_request -.-> tools;
+  	tools -.-> NoopOne_before_model;
+  	tools -.-> __end__;
+  	classDef default fill:#f2f0ff,line-height:1.2
+  	classDef first fill-opacity:0
+  	classDef last fill:#bfb6fc
+  
+  '''
+# ---
+# name: test_create_agent_diagram.3
+  '''
+  ---
+  config:
+    flowchart:
+      curve: linear
+  ---
+  graph TD;
+  	__start__([<p>__start__</p>]):::first
+  	model_request(model_request)
+  	tools(tools)
+  	NoopOne_before_model(NoopOne.before_model)
+  	NoopTwo_before_model(NoopTwo.before_model)
+  	NoopThree_before_model(NoopThree.before_model)
+  	__end__([<p>__end__</p>]):::last
+  	NoopOne_before_model --> NoopTwo_before_model;
+  	NoopThree_before_model --> model_request;
+  	NoopTwo_before_model --> NoopThree_before_model;
+  	__start__ --> NoopOne_before_model;
+  	model_request -.-> __end__;
+  	model_request -.-> tools;
+  	tools -.-> NoopOne_before_model;
+  	tools -.-> __end__;
+  	classDef default fill:#f2f0ff,line-height:1.2
+  	classDef first fill-opacity:0
+  	classDef last fill:#bfb6fc
+  
+  '''
+# ---
+# name: test_create_agent_diagram.4
+  '''
+  ---
+  config:
+    flowchart:
+      curve: linear
+  ---
+  graph TD;
+  	__start__([<p>__start__</p>]):::first
+  	model_request(model_request)
+  	tools(tools)
+  	NoopFour_after_model(NoopFour.after_model)
+  	__end__([<p>__end__</p>]):::last
+  	NoopFour_after_model -.-> __end__;
+  	NoopFour_after_model -.-> tools;
+  	__start__ --> model_request;
+  	model_request --> NoopFour_after_model;
+  	tools -.-> __end__;
+  	tools -.-> model_request;
+  	classDef default fill:#f2f0ff,line-height:1.2
+  	classDef first fill-opacity:0
+  	classDef last fill:#bfb6fc
+  
+  '''
+# ---
+# name: test_create_agent_diagram.5
+  '''
+  ---
+  config:
+    flowchart:
+      curve: linear
+  ---
+  graph TD;
+  	__start__([<p>__start__</p>]):::first
+  	model_request(model_request)
+  	tools(tools)
+  	NoopFour_after_model(NoopFour.after_model)
+  	NoopFive_after_model(NoopFive.after_model)
+  	__end__([<p>__end__</p>]):::last
+  	NoopFive_after_model --> NoopFour_after_model;
+  	NoopFour_after_model -.-> __end__;
+  	NoopFour_after_model -.-> tools;
+  	__start__ --> model_request;
+  	model_request --> NoopFive_after_model;
+  	tools -.-> __end__;
+  	tools -.-> model_request;
+  	classDef default fill:#f2f0ff,line-height:1.2
+  	classDef first fill-opacity:0
+  	classDef last fill:#bfb6fc
+  
+  '''
+# ---
+# name: test_create_agent_diagram.6
+  '''
+  ---
+  config:
+    flowchart:
+      curve: linear
+  ---
+  graph TD;
+  	__start__([<p>__start__</p>]):::first
+  	model_request(model_request)
+  	tools(tools)
+  	NoopFour_after_model(NoopFour.after_model)
+  	NoopFive_after_model(NoopFive.after_model)
+  	NoopSix_after_model(NoopSix.after_model)
+  	__end__([<p>__end__</p>]):::last
+  	NoopFive_after_model --> NoopFour_after_model;
+  	NoopFour_after_model -.-> __end__;
+  	NoopFour_after_model -.-> tools;
+  	NoopSix_after_model --> NoopFive_after_model;
+  	__start__ --> model_request;
+  	model_request --> NoopSix_after_model;
+  	tools -.-> __end__;
+  	tools -.-> model_request;
+  	classDef default fill:#f2f0ff,line-height:1.2
+  	classDef first fill-opacity:0
+  	classDef last fill:#bfb6fc
+  
+  '''
+# ---
+# name: test_create_agent_diagram.7
+  '''
+  ---
+  config:
+    flowchart:
+      curve: linear
+  ---
+  graph TD;
+  	__start__([<p>__start__</p>]):::first
+  	model_request(model_request)
+  	tools(tools)
+  	NoopSeven_before_model(NoopSeven.before_model)
+  	NoopSeven_after_model(NoopSeven.after_model)
+  	__end__([<p>__end__</p>]):::last
+  	NoopSeven_after_model -.-> __end__;
+  	NoopSeven_after_model -.-> tools;
+  	NoopSeven_before_model --> model_request;
+  	__start__ --> NoopSeven_before_model;
+  	model_request --> NoopSeven_after_model;
+  	tools -.-> NoopSeven_before_model;
+  	tools -.-> __end__;
+  	classDef default fill:#f2f0ff,line-height:1.2
+  	classDef first fill-opacity:0
+  	classDef last fill:#bfb6fc
+  
+  '''
+# ---
+# name: test_create_agent_diagram.8
+  '''
+  ---
+  config:
+    flowchart:
+      curve: linear
+  ---
+  graph TD;
+  	__start__([<p>__start__</p>]):::first
+  	model_request(model_request)
+  	tools(tools)
+  	NoopSeven_before_model(NoopSeven.before_model)
+  	NoopSeven_after_model(NoopSeven.after_model)
+  	NoopEight_before_model(NoopEight.before_model)
+  	NoopEight_after_model(NoopEight.after_model)
+  	__end__([<p>__end__</p>]):::last
+  	NoopEight_after_model --> NoopSeven_after_model;
+  	NoopEight_before_model --> model_request;
+  	NoopSeven_after_model -.-> __end__;
+  	NoopSeven_after_model -.-> tools;
+  	NoopSeven_before_model --> NoopEight_before_model;
+  	__start__ --> NoopSeven_before_model;
+  	model_request --> NoopEight_after_model;
+  	tools -.-> NoopSeven_before_model;
+  	tools -.-> __end__;
+  	classDef default fill:#f2f0ff,line-height:1.2
+  	classDef first fill-opacity:0
+  	classDef last fill:#bfb6fc
+  
+  '''
+# ---
+# name: test_create_agent_diagram.9
+  '''
+  ---
+  config:
+    flowchart:
+      curve: linear
+  ---
+  graph TD;
+  	__start__([<p>__start__</p>]):::first
+  	model_request(model_request)
+  	tools(tools)
+  	NoopSeven_before_model(NoopSeven.before_model)
+  	NoopSeven_after_model(NoopSeven.after_model)
+  	NoopEight_before_model(NoopEight.before_model)
+  	NoopEight_after_model(NoopEight.after_model)
+  	NoopNine_before_model(NoopNine.before_model)
+  	NoopNine_after_model(NoopNine.after_model)
+  	__end__([<p>__end__</p>]):::last
+  	NoopEight_after_model --> NoopSeven_after_model;
+  	NoopEight_before_model --> NoopNine_before_model;
+  	NoopNine_after_model --> NoopEight_after_model;
+  	NoopNine_before_model --> model_request;
+  	NoopSeven_after_model -.-> __end__;
+  	NoopSeven_after_model -.-> tools;
+  	NoopSeven_before_model --> NoopEight_before_model;
+  	__start__ --> NoopSeven_before_model;
+  	model_request --> NoopNine_after_model;
+  	tools -.-> NoopSeven_before_model;
+  	tools -.-> __end__;
+  	classDef default fill:#f2f0ff,line-height:1.2
+  	classDef first fill-opacity:0
+  	classDef last fill:#bfb6fc
+  
+  '''
+# ---
diff --git a/libs/langgraph/tests/test_agent.py b/libs/langgraph/tests/test_agent.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b75a282bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/langgraph/tests/test_agent.py
@@ -0,0 +1,226 @@
+from langchain_core.messages import AIMessage, ToolCall
+from syrupy import SnapshotAssertion
+
+from langgraph.agent import create_agent
+from langgraph.agent.types import AgentMiddleware
+from langgraph.checkpoint.base import BaseCheckpointSaver
+from tests.fake_chat import FakeChatModel
+from tests.messages import _AnyIdToolMessage
+
+
+def test_create_agent_diagram(
+    snapshot: SnapshotAssertion,
+):
+    class NoopOne(AgentMiddleware):
+        def before_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+    class NoopTwo(AgentMiddleware):
+        def before_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+    class NoopThree(AgentMiddleware):
+        def before_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+    class NoopFour(AgentMiddleware):
+        def after_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+    class NoopFive(AgentMiddleware):
+        def after_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+    class NoopSix(AgentMiddleware):
+        def after_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+    class NoopSeven(AgentMiddleware):
+        def before_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+        def after_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+    class NoopEight(AgentMiddleware):
+        def before_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+        def after_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+    class NoopNine(AgentMiddleware):
+        def before_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+        def after_model(self, state):
+            pass
+
+    agent_zero = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(messages=[]),
+        tools=[],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+    )
+
+    assert agent_zero.compile().get_graph().draw_mermaid() == snapshot
+
+    agent_one = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(messages=[]),
+        tools=[],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+        middleware=[NoopOne()],
+    )
+
+    assert agent_one.compile().get_graph().draw_mermaid() == snapshot
+
+    agent_two = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(messages=[]),
+        tools=[],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+        middleware=[NoopOne(), NoopTwo()],
+    )
+
+    assert agent_two.compile().get_graph().draw_mermaid() == snapshot
+
+    agent_three = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(messages=[]),
+        tools=[],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+        middleware=[NoopOne(), NoopTwo(), NoopThree()],
+    )
+
+    assert agent_three.compile().get_graph().draw_mermaid() == snapshot
+
+    agent_four = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(messages=[]),
+        tools=[],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+        middleware=[NoopFour()],
+    )
+
+    assert agent_four.compile().get_graph().draw_mermaid() == snapshot
+
+    agent_five = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(messages=[]),
+        tools=[],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+        middleware=[NoopFour(), NoopFive()],
+    )
+
+    assert agent_five.compile().get_graph().draw_mermaid() == snapshot
+
+    agent_six = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(messages=[]),
+        tools=[],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+        middleware=[NoopFour(), NoopFive(), NoopSix()],
+    )
+
+    assert agent_six.compile().get_graph().draw_mermaid() == snapshot
+
+    agent_seven = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(messages=[]),
+        tools=[],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+        middleware=[NoopSeven()],
+    )
+
+    assert agent_seven.compile().get_graph().draw_mermaid() == snapshot
+
+    agent_eight = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(messages=[]),
+        tools=[],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+        middleware=[NoopSeven(), NoopEight()],
+    )
+
+    assert agent_eight.compile().get_graph().draw_mermaid() == snapshot
+
+    agent_nine = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(messages=[]),
+        tools=[],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+        middleware=[NoopSeven(), NoopEight(), NoopNine()],
+    )
+
+    assert agent_nine.compile().get_graph().draw_mermaid() == snapshot
+
+
+def test_create_agent_invoke(
+    snapshot: SnapshotAssertion,
+    sync_checkpointer: BaseCheckpointSaver,
+):
+    calls = []
+
+    class NoopSeven(AgentMiddleware):
+        def before_model(self, state):
+            calls.append("NoopSeven.before_model")
+
+        def after_model(self, state):
+            calls.append("NoopSeven.after_model")
+
+    class NoopEight(AgentMiddleware):
+        def before_model(self, state):
+            calls.append("NoopEight.before_model")
+
+        def after_model(self, state):
+            calls.append("NoopEight.after_model")
+
+    def my_tool(input: str) -> str:
+        """A great tool"""
+        calls.append("my_tool")
+        return input.upper()
+
+    agent_one = create_agent(
+        model=FakeChatModel(
+            messages=[
+                AIMessage(
+                    "",
+                    id="ai1",
+                    tool_calls=[ToolCall(id="1", name="my_tool", args={"input": "yo"})],
+                ),
+                AIMessage(id="ai2", content="Hello, how can I assist you today?"),
+            ]
+        ),
+        tools=[my_tool],
+        system_prompt="You are a helpful assistant.",
+        middleware=[NoopSeven(), NoopEight()],
+    ).compile(checkpointer=sync_checkpointer)
+
+    thread1 = {"configurable": {"thread_id": "1"}}
+    assert agent_one.invoke({"messages": []}, thread1) == {
+        "messages": [
+            AIMessage(
+                content="",
+                additional_kwargs={},
+                response_metadata={},
+                id="ai1",
+                tool_calls=[
+                    {
+                        "name": "my_tool",
+                        "args": {"input": "yo"},
+                        "id": "1",
+                        "type": "tool_call",
+                    }
+                ],
+            ),
+            _AnyIdToolMessage(content="YO", name="my_tool", tool_call_id="1"),
+            AIMessage(
+                content="Hello, how can I assist you today?",
+                additional_kwargs={},
+                response_metadata={},
+                id="ai2",
+            ),
+        ]
+    }
+    assert calls == [
+        "NoopSeven.before_model",
+        "NoopEight.before_model",
+        "NoopEight.after_model",
+        "NoopSeven.after_model",
+        "my_tool",
+        "NoopSeven.before_model",
+        "NoopEight.before_model",
+        "NoopEight.after_model",
+        "NoopSeven.after_model",
+    ]