AI Agent Loop Logs: Search via JSON API

This guide shows you how to search through AI agent loop logs in a production environment using a JSON API. You’ll learn how to structure queries, filter by loop ID, timestamp, and status, and retrieve relevant log entries efficiently. Before you start, ensure you have access to the API endpoint, an authentication token, and a tool like curl or Postman for testing.

What You’ll Need

• Access to the production environment’s log aggregation service (e.g., Elasticsearch, Loki, or a custom service) that exposes a JSON API.
• API endpoint URL and authentication credentials (API key or token).
• A REST client (curl, Postman, or a script) to make HTTP requests.
• Basic knowledge of JSON and HTTP methods (GET, POST).
• Documentation for your specific log service to understand query syntax (e.g., Lucene, Elasticsearch DSL, or custom).

Step-by-Step

1. Identify the API endpoint and authentication method. Check your service’s documentation for the base URL (e.g., https://logs.example.com/api/v1/search) and how to include your token (e.g., Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN).
2. Understand the log structure. Inspect a sample log entry to know the fields: typically timestamp, loop_id, agent_name, status (e.g., running, completed, error), message, and metadata (e.g., iteration number, input/output).
3. Construct a basic search query. Use a GET request with query parameters or a POST with a JSON body, depending on the API. For example, to search all logs for a specific loop ID, use: GET /api/v1/search?loop_id=abc123.
4. Add time filters. Most production logs are time-indexed. Include a time range to narrow results: ?start=2025-01-01T00:00:00Z&end=2025-01-01T23:59:59Z.
5. Filter by status and keywords. Use query parameters or a JSON query object to filter by status (e.g., status:error) and search within messages (e.g., message:"timeout").
6. Pagination and sorting. If results are large, add page and size parameters, and sort by timestamp ascending or descending: ?page=2&size=50&sort=timestamp:desc.
7. Retrieve the response. Send the request. The response will be a JSON object with a list of log entries. Parse the JSON to extract the fields you need.
8. Automate for repeated searches. Write a script (e.g., Python with requests) that sends the query and processes the results, allowing you to search across many loop IDs or time ranges.

Common Mistakes

• Ignoring time zones: Timestamps are often in UTC. If you use local time without conversion, you’ll miss logs or get wrong results.
• Using incorrect field names: The API expects exact field names. Check the documentation or sample logs—loopId vs loop_id can cause empty results.
• Not escaping special characters: In query strings, characters like &, ?, and spaces need URL encoding. For example, use %20 for space.
• Overlooking pagination: Many APIs return only the first page (e.g., 10 or 50 results). If you don’t paginate, you might miss important logs.
• Assuming all logs are in one place: In microservices, logs might be split across multiple indices or services. You may need to search multiple endpoints.

Tips

• Use the API’s aggregation features (if available) to count logs by status or average execution time per loop.
• Set up saved queries or dashboards for common searches (e.g., all errors in the last hour).
• Always include a time range to avoid scanning the entire history, which is slow and expensive.
• Use the fields parameter to limit the returned fields, reducing response size and processing time.
• Test your query on a staging environment first to avoid accidental heavy load on production.

Troubleshooting

• 401 Unauthorized: Check your token’s validity and expiration. Ensure you’re using the correct authentication header.
• 400 Bad Request: Your query syntax is likely wrong. Review the API documentation for correct parameter names and formats.
• Empty results: Verify the loop ID exists, the time range is correct, and the field names match. Try a broader query without filters.
• Slow response: Narrow your time range, add pagination, or use more specific filters. If the service supports it, use a smaller index or shard.
• Rate limiting: If you get 429 Too Many Requests, slow down your requests, add delays, or use the API’s bulk endpoint if available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I search for logs from a specific loop iteration?

Look for a field like iteration or step in your log structure. Add a filter like iteration:5 to your query.

Can I search across multiple loop IDs at once?

Yes, many APIs support OR conditions. For example, use loop_id:abc OR loop_id:def or an array in the query body.

What if my logs are in a different timezone?

Convert your local time to UTC before sending the request. Most APIs expect UTC timestamps in ISO 8601 format.

How do I get the most recent logs first?

Add a sort parameter: sort=timestamp:desc or sort=@timestamp:desc depending on your field name.

Is there a way to export the search results?

Some APIs support CSV export. Otherwise, you can write a script to fetch all pages and save the JSON to a file.

What if the API doesn’t support complex queries?

You may need to fetch a broader set of logs and filter them in your code. Use a time range and loop ID to narrow the initial set, then process the JSON.

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