Hitchhiker Agents

For the Hitchhikers Project we aim to create an open-source, modular, and federated agent-based architecture centered on CrewAI.

- First Agentic Steps

The system should run locally on HomeLab hardware, support API access to Claude and OpenAI, and use n8n for flow automation and inter-node coordination. Individual HomeLabs can specialize using tools like Claude Code, LangGraph, and AutoGen, while Yam + Git provides a shared knowledge ledger.

# Core Stack - CrewAI — Multi-agent orchestration framework (Apache 2.0, local-first) - Claude Code — Specialized dev agent using Anthropic subagents & Model Context Protocol (MCP) - n8n — Open-source workflow automation and event dispatching - Git + Yam — Shared storage of tasks, logs, and outputs across federated homelabs

- LangGraph / AutoGen — Role-based agent flow builders with persistent memory

# Optional - Haystack for vector memory, TiddlyWiki for visual storytelling, Ollama for local LLMs. - Open Interpreter

# Agent Roles

An Agent Role defines a specialized function for a homelab agent, such as planner, builder, reviewer, or researcher. Roles like Deep Thought, Slartibartfast, or Scribe help structure collaboration across nodes, with each role implemented via CrewAI, Claude Code, or hybrid agents.

# Interoperability - Use n8n to route tasks, triggers, and completions between nodes - Use Model Context Protocol (MCP) to link Claude Code agents and other tools - Communicate via local endpoints (e.g. `marvin-node.local/crewai/run`) - Store outputs in Markdown + Yam for paragraph-level federation and replay

# Reasons for Recommendation 1. **Open & Local-First** — All tools are open source or API-based, respecting self-hosted constraints. 2. **Modular & Composable** — Specialized agents can be upgraded or replaced independently. 3. **Federated by Design** — Homelabs can work offline or async and still collaborate via Git/Yam. 4. **Tool Diversity** — Combines strengths of Claude’s dev stack with the flexibility of CrewAI. 5. **Accessible for Contributors** — Visual workflows (n8n), shared wiki logs, and agent roles make it easy to contribute. 6. **Fun & Thematic** — Agent names and roles reflect the quirky spirit of *The Hitchhiker’s Guide*.

# See - crewai.com - Sub-agents - docs.anthropic.com - n8n.io - agent-protocol/agent-protocol