AI engineering glossary · Agents tools MCP
What is max iterations?
Max iterations (also called Recursion limit): A cap on how many times an agent loop may run before it is forced to stop. It prevents endless loops that burn tokens and money when the model cannot finish the task.
Max iterations: an example
An agent is limited to 15 steps; on step 15 it returns its best partial answer and reports it could not finish.
Related terms
More Agents tools MCP terms
- MCP authorization
- MCP capability negotiation
- MCP client
- MCP elicitation
- MCP host
- MCP prompt
- MCP resource
- MCP roots
Where you learn it
Max iterations is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.