---
title: "Agent Card: definition | KYA glossary"
url: https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/agent-card
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
license: © Innopulse Consulting GmbH
---

# Agent Card

An Agent Card is a machine-readable profile of an AI agent in the Agent2Agent protocol that describes its name, capabilities, address and supported authentication.

In the A2A protocol, every agent publishes an Agent Card as a JSON document, typically at a well-known address on its server. Other agents read it to decide whether the agent can take on a task, how to reach it and which sign-in it requires. The card lists capabilities, called skills, with descriptions and examples.

An Agent Card is a self-description. It says what an agent offers, but not whether the details are true, who operates it or what it may do on behalf of a specific customer. These questions need signed evidence.

## Example

A hotel agent publishes its Agent Card: name, description, skill “search and book hotels”, interface address, sign-in through OAuth. A travel assistant reads the card, recognizes the matching skill and hands over the task. Whether the hotel agent may book is not shown by the card.

## How it differs

The Agent Card describes capabilities, the [agent passport](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/agent-passport) proves identity and operator with a signature, and the mandate proves authority for a specific [principal](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/principal). Only together do they give a complete picture.

## In practice

- Treat details in an Agent Card as self-disclosure, not as a verified fact.
- Publish your agent's card with current skills and the sign-in it requires.
- For actions with consequences, also require evidence of identity and authority.

## Role in KYA

KYA does not verify Agent Cards. Whoever selects agents by their card should, for actions with consequences, also require verifiable evidence: an agent passport for identity and a mandate for authority.

A term from the flow, not a check of its own. [To the method](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/method)

[Verify now: open a matching example](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/verify?beispiel=web-bot-auth)

## Frequently asked questions

### Where is an Agent Card located?

Typically at a well-known address on the agent's server, so other agents can find it without prior arrangement.

### What does an Agent Card contain?

The agent's name and description, its capabilities with examples, the interface address, supported formats and the authentication it requires.

### Is an Agent Card proof of identity?

No. It is a self-description. Reliable proof of identity requires a signature from an issuer the [verifying party](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/verifying-party) trusts, such as an agent passport.

### How does the Agent Card relate to KYA?

It helps find the right agent. KYA then verifies the evidence showing whether this agent was allowed to carry out a specific action on a customer's behalf.

## Sources

- [Agent2Agent protocol (A2A), repository](https://github.com/a2aproject/A2A)

## Related terms

- [Agent2Agent protocol (A2A)](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/a2a)
- [Agent passport](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/agent-passport)
- [Web Bot Auth](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/web-bot-auth)
- [AI agent](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/ai-agent)

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Quelle: https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/agent-card · KYA – Know Your Agent