Inspect Agent State Changes in Execution History Logs

Inspect Agent State Changes in Execution History Logs

You need to verify every state transition an agent makes on your runtime backend. Execution history logs provide the raw record of those transitions, including prompt versions, tool selections, and intermediate outputs.

The Agent Command Center surfaces these details from your agent runtime so you can trace exactly when and why state changed.

Key takeaways

• Execution history logs record state, token usage, and approvals inbox entries.
• Single config object versions control what appears in each run.
• Human approval is required before any action reaches production.
• Live visibility shows intermediate outputs before final state commits.
• Regular reviews catch anomalies before they affect downstream systems.

Access Execution History Logs from the Control Plane

Open the Agent Command Center dashboard and select the agent. Filter the history view by run ID or time range. Each entry lists the config object version active during that execution.

Logs stream directly from your agent runtime backend. You see the sequence of state changes without leaving the control plane.

• Select the target agent in the fleet list.
• Apply a date filter to narrow results.
• Click any run to expand its full log.
• Export the filtered set for external review.
• Search by config object hash to isolate version-specific runs.
• Toggle live stream mode to watch new entries appear.

Identify State Transitions in Runtime Logs

State changes appear as discrete entries that record the previous value, the new value, and the trigger. Look for updates to role prompts, tool availability, or autonomy level.

Every transition references the single config object that governed the run. Token usage and cost estimates update at each step.

1. Scan the log for entries marked "state update".
2. Note the config object hash attached to each change.
3. Compare the before and after values shown inline.
4. Check whether the change required an approvals inbox decision.
5. Record the timestamp and model parameters active at that moment.
6. Cross-reference the entry with the schedule that initiated the run.
7. Verify the runtime backend identifier matches your expected environment.

Review Intermediate Outputs Alongside State Data

Intermediate outputs reveal how the agent reached a new state. These outputs include partial tool results and reasoning steps that precede the final state commit.

Live visibility lets you inspect these outputs while the run is still in progress.

• Partial tool responses before state finalization.
• Model reasoning tokens that led to the transition.
• Scheduled trigger that initiated the run.
• Approval status attached to each output segment.
• Error messages captured before rollback to prior state.

Compare Config Object Versions Across Runs

State changes often stem from updates to the config object. The history view shows which version was active and highlights differences from the prior version.

Use the comparison to decide whether to keep or rollback a version. Rollback failed agent configs without losing history keeps all prior execution records intact.

Track Approvals Inbox Entries Tied to State

Sensitive state changes route through the approvals inbox. Each inbox item links back to the exact log entry that produced it.

Human approval must occur before the new state affects production. The log records the approver, decision, and any edits made to the proposed output.

• Inbox item ID linked to the run log.
• Approver identity and timestamp.
• Edited output text if changes occurred.
• Final state after approval or rejection.
• Reason code supplied by the approver for audit trails.

Export Logs for Audit and Compliance

Select the runs you need and export them through the control plane. The export includes state transitions, config object versions, intermediate outputs, and approvals inbox records.

Export execution logs for compliance audits produces a structured file that meets common audit requirements. Follow NIST guidelines for log management when formatting exports for regulatory review.

• Include full token usage per execution.
• Retain approvals inbox decisions in the file.
• Preserve config object hashes for traceability.
• Store the export alongside your runtime backend backups.
• Add metadata tags for quick retrieval during audits.

Set Log Retention and Masking Rules

Define retention periods and sensitive-data masking inside the single config object. These rules apply uniformly to every agent you run on your agent runtime.

Masking protects data that appears in intermediate outputs or state change records. Retention settings prevent indefinite growth of history storage.

• Apply field-level masks to PII in logs.
• Set per-agent retention windows.
• Require human approval for any change to masking rules.
• Verify masked output in test runs before production use.
• Review the OWASP logging cheat sheet for additional masking patterns.

Analyze Cost Estimates Tied to State Changes

Cost estimates update with every state transition because token consumption varies with prompt length and tool calls. The control plane displays running totals alongside each log entry so you can spot expensive state paths early.

Compare estimates across versions to decide whether a config object change justifies higher spend. Unexpected spikes often indicate loops or overly broad tool permissions.

• Track cumulative cost per run ID.
• Flag transitions that exceed a defined token threshold.
• Break down cost by model parameter set.
• Export cost data with state history for budget reviews.
• Set alerts when projected spend crosses configured limits.
• Reconcile estimates against actual billing from your runtime backend.

Decide When to Audit State History

Schedule regular reviews of execution history when agents handle regulated actions or when config objects change frequently. The control plane surfaces anomalies such as unexpected state jumps or missing approvals inbox entries.

Compare current logs against baseline runs stored from earlier versions. Audit agent runtime permissions from one dashboard gives a consolidated view across the fleet.

Next steps

• Open the Agent Command Center and filter one agent’s history.
• Export the last ten runs and inspect state transitions.
• Add masking rules to the active config object.
• Schedule a weekly review of approvals inbox items linked to state changes.
• Compare version diffs before the next config update.
• Set token thresholds for automatic flagging of costly transitions.
• Reconcile one month of cost estimates against actual runtime backend invoices.

Visit Run Agents to connect your agent runtime backend and begin logging state changes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I filter execution history for a single state change type?

Apply the state filter in the history view and select the transition label. Results return only runs that recorded that exact change.

Can I see intermediate outputs without waiting for run completion?

Yes. Live visibility streams partial outputs from your agent runtime as they occur. The log updates in real time inside the control plane.

Does every state change require an approvals inbox review?

Only changes that touch production systems or external tools route to the inbox. Purely internal state updates may bypass the inbox if the config object permits it.

How long are execution history logs retained?

Retention follows the rules stored in the single config object. You can set different windows per agent or per runtime backend.

What happens to logs when I rollback a config object?

Rollback preserves all prior execution history, token counts, and approvals inbox records. The new version receives a fresh hash while older runs remain searchable.