> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://praison.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Output Variables
> Pass values between tasks with output_variable
An `output_variable` names a task's result so later tasks can read it.
Available under `PraisonAIAgents` / `AgentTeam` as of PraisonAI [PR #4907](https://github.com/MervinPraison/PraisonAI/pull/4907). Earlier releases only exposed `output_variable` inside the standalone `Workflow` engine and its YAML syntax.
```mermaid theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
graph LR
A[🔍 Task A] -->|output_variable=research| S[📦 variables]
S -->|{{research}}| B[✍️ Task B]
classDef task fill:#8B0000,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff
classDef store fill:#6366F1,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff
class A,B task
class S store
```
## Quick Start
Name the result with `output_variable`.
```python theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
from praisonaiagents import Agent, Task
researcher = Agent(name="Researcher", instructions="Research the topic and list key facts.")
research = Task(
name="research",
action="Research renewable energy trends",
agent=researcher,
output_variable="research_data",
)
```
Reference the stored value with `{{research_data}}` in a later task's `action`.
```python theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
from praisonaiagents import Agent, Task, PraisonAIAgents
writer = Agent(name="Writer", instructions="Write a short report.")
report = Task(
action="Write a report using {{research_data}}",
agent=writer,
context=[research],
)
PraisonAIAgents(
agents=[researcher, writer],
tasks=[research, report],
).start()
```
***
## How It Works
After any task completes — agent or handler — its raw output is stored under the given name in the team's shared variables.
```mermaid theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
graph LR
T[✅ Task done] --> V[📦 variables[name] = output]
V --> N[▶️ Next task reads it]
classDef task fill:#8B0000,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff
classDef store fill:#6366F1,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff
class T,N task
class V store
```
***
## Reading Variables
Substitute a stored value directly in `action` or `description` with `{{name}}`.
```python theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
from praisonaiagents import Agent, Task
writer = Agent(name="Writer", instructions="Write a report.")
Task(action="Summarise {{research_data}} in three bullets", agent=writer)
```
Read the same value inside a handler or `should_run` with `ctx.variables["name"]`.
```python theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
from praisonaiagents import Task
def summarise(ctx):
return {"summary": ctx.variables["research_data"][:200]}
Task(name="summarise", handler=summarise)
```
***
## Best Practices
Use clear names like `research_data` or `score` so downstream `{{name}}` references read naturally.
Attach `output_variable` to the task that creates the value, not the one that reads it.
Pass `context=[producer_task]` on the consumer so the team runs them in the right order.
***
## Related
Run Python code as a task step
Gate tasks with should\_run
Chain agents into pipelines