Scaling up Multi-Turn Off-Policy RL and Multi-Agent Tree Search for LLM Step-Provers
On the map: LLM reasoning → Mathematical reasoning
also in 1 more
Abstract (arXiv)
The integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) into automated theorem proving has shown immense promise, yet is fundamentally constrained by challenges in scaling up both training-time reinforcement learning (RL) and inference-time compute. This paper introduces textttBFS-Prover-V2, a system designed to address this dual scaling problem. We present two primary innovations. The first is a novel multi-turn off-policy RL framework for continually improving the performance of LLM step-prover at training time. This framework, inspired by the principles of AlphaZero, utilizes a multi-stage expert iteration pipeline featuring adaptive tactic-level data filtering and periodic retraining to surmount the performance plateaus that typically curtail long-term RL in LLM-based agents. The second innovation is a planner-enhanced multi-agent search architecture that scales reasoning capabilities at inference time. This architecture employs a general reasoning model as a high-level planner to iteratively decompose complex theorems into a sequence of simpler subgoals. This hierarchical approach substantially reduces the search space, enabling a team of parallel prover agents to collaborate efficiently by leveraging a shared proof cache. We demonstrate that this dual approach to scaling yields state-of-the-art results on established formal mathematics benchmarks. textttBFS-Prover-V2 achieves 95.08% and 41.4% on the MiniF2F and ProofNet test sets respectively. While demonstrated in the domain of formal mathematics, the RL and inference techniques presented in this work are of broader interest and may be applied to other domains requiring long-horizon multi-turn reasoning and complex search.
Key facts. Cited by 28 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Placed in Mathematical reasoning, one of 17 directions in LLM reasoning. Builds on 32 of its 44 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 8 Sep 2025.
Builds on
32 of 44 references.
Closest ancestors · 8
Same direction, newest first
- 2025Seed-Prover: Deep and Broad Reasoning for Automated Theorem Proving31 Jul
- 2025Solving Formal Math Problems by Decomposition and Iterative Reflection21 Jul
- 2025Reviving DSP for Advanced Theorem Proving in the Era of Reasoning Models13 Jun
- 2025DeepSeek-Prover-V2: Advancing Formal Mathematical Reasoning via Reinforcement Learning for Subgoal Decomposition30 Apr
- 2025Kimina-Prover Preview: Towards Large Formal Reasoning Models with Reinforcement Learning15 Apr
- 2024HunyuanProver: A Scalable Data Synthesis Framework and Guided Tree Search for Automated Theorem Proving30 Dec
- 2024Formal Mathematical Reasoning: A New Frontier in AI20 Dec
- 2024LEAN-GitHub: Compiling GitHub LEAN repositories for a versatile LEAN prover24 Jul
Other references · 24
- 2023GPT-4 Technical Reportcited by 18,396
- 2025DeepSeek-R1: Incentivizing Reasoning Capability in LLMs via Reinforcement Learningcited by 6,330
- 2025Gemini 2.5: Pushing the Frontier with Advanced Reasoning, Multimodality, Long Context, and Next Generation Agentic Capabilitiescited by 3,796
- 2025DAPO: An Open-Source LLM Reinforcement Learning System at Scalecited by 2,810
- 2025Kimi k1.5: Scaling Reinforcement Learning with LLMscited by 1,210
- 2024Qwen2.5-Math Technical Report: Toward Mathematical Expert Model via Self-Improvementcited by 1,090
- 2023LeanDojo: Theorem Proving with Retrieval-Augmented Language Modelscited by 427
- 2022Draft, Sketch, and Prove: Guiding Formal Theorem Provers with Informal Proofscited by 291
- 2025VAPO: Efficient and Reliable Reinforcement Learning for Advanced Reasoning Taskscited by 285
- 2017Thinking Fast and Slow with Deep Learning and Tree Searchcited by 252
- 2024DeepSeek-Prover: Advancing Theorem Proving in LLMs through Large-Scale Synthetic Datacited by 234
- 2022HyperTree Proof Search for Neural Theorem Provingcited by 197
12 more
- 2024DeepSeek-Prover-V1.5: Harnessing Proof Assistant Feedback for Reinforcement Learning and Monte-Carlo Tree Searchcited by 197
- 2025ProRL: Prolonged Reinforcement Learning Expands Reasoning Boundaries in Large Language Modelscited by 194
- 2025Seed1.5-Thinking: Advancing Superb Reasoning Models with Reinforcement Learningcited by 161
- 2025Goedel-Prover-V2: Scaling Formal Theorem Proving with Scaffolded Data Synthesis and Self-Correctioncited by 154
- 2022Formal Mathematics Statement Curriculum Learningcited by 142
- 2025Goedel-Prover: A Frontier Model for Open-Source Automated Theorem Provingcited by 133
- 2021Proof Artifact Co-training for Theorem Proving with Language Modelscited by 132
- 2024Lean Workbook: A large-scale Lean problem set formalized from natural language math problemscited by 122
- 2025BFS-Prover: Scalable Best-First Tree Search for LLM-based Automatic Theorem Provingcited by 84
- 2023LLMSTEP: LLM proofstep suggestions in Leancited by 32
- 2025Prover Agent: An Agent-Based Framework for Formal Mathematical Proofscited by 31
- 2025MPS-Prover: Advancing Stepwise Theorem Proving by Multi-Perspective Search and Data Curationcited by 10
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Citing papers per year: 2025: 6; 2026: 22.
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- 2025Tree Search for LLM Agent Reinforcement Learningcited by 79
- 2025Hilbert: Recursively Building Formal Proofs with Informal Reasoningcited by 60
- 2025Seed-Prover 1.5: Mastering Undergraduate-Level Theorem Proving via Learning from Experiencecited by 44
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- 2026Theory-Level Autoformalization: From Isolated Statements to Unified Formal Knowledge Basescited by 3
- 2026The Problem Is the Problem: Towards Scalable Mathematical Discoverycited by 2
16 more
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- 2026OptProver: Bridging Olympiad and Optimization through Continual Training in Formal Theorem Provingcited by 1
- 2026A Theoretical Framework for Self-Play Theorem Proving Algorithmscited by 1
- 2026From Solvers to Research: Large Language Model-Driven Formal Mathematics at the Research Frontiercited by 1
- 2026ReasFlow: Assisting Reasoning-Centric Scientific Discovery in Applied Mathematics via a Knowledge-Based Multi-Agent Systemcited by 1
- 2026Lectures on AI for Mathematicscited by 0
- 2026Rethinking Supervision Granularity: Segment-Level Learning for LLM-Based Theorem Provingcited by 0
- 2026Automating Formal Verification with Agent-Guided Tree Searchcited by 0
- 2026Position: Certified Correctness in Neural Constraint Reasoning Requires Symbolic Integrationcited by 0
- 2026ProofEvolve: Neuro-Symbolic Evolution for Formal Automated Theorem Provingcited by 0
- 2026When Does Structured Knowledge Help Neural Theorem Proving?cited by 0
- 2026TCSAlgBench: Benchmarking Automated Proving for Research-Level Theoretical Computer Sciencecited by 0
- 2026NanoProof: Open and Efficient Automated Theorem Proving in Lean 4cited by 0
- 2026NanoProof: Open and Efficient Automated Theorem Proving in Lean 48 Oct 2026
- 2026TCSAlgBench: Benchmarking Automated Proving for Research-Level Theoretical Computer Science28 Sep 2026
- 2026When Does Structured Knowledge Help Neural Theorem Proving?28 Sep 2026
- 2026ProofEvolve: Neuro-Symbolic Evolution for Formal Automated Theorem Proving26 Aug 2026
- 2026The Problem Is the Problem: Towards Scalable Mathematical Discovery17 Aug 2026
- 2026ReasFlow: Assisting Reasoning-Centric Scientific Discovery in Applied Mathematics via a Knowledge-Based Multi-Agent System15 Jul 2026
- 2026Theory-Level Autoformalization: From Isolated Statements to Unified Formal Knowledge Bases14 Jul 2026
- 2026From Solvers to Research: Large Language Model-Driven Formal Mathematics at the Research Frontier8 Jul 2026
- 2026Position: Certified Correctness in Neural Constraint Reasoning Requires Symbolic Integration2 Jun 2026
- 2026A Theoretical Framework for Self-Play Theorem Proving Algorithms1 Jun 2026
- 2026Automating Formal Verification with Agent-Guided Tree Search26 May 2026
- 2026Rethinking Supervision Granularity: Segment-Level Learning for LLM-Based Theorem Proving12 May 2026
16 more
- 2026DreamProver: Evolving Transferable Lemma Libraries via a Wake-Sleep Theorem-Proving Agent29 Apr 2026
- 2026OptProver: Bridging Olympiad and Optimization through Continual Training in Formal Theorem Proving26 Apr 2026
- 2026Lectures on AI for Mathematics13 Apr 2026
- 2026Not All Turns Are Equally Hard: Adaptive Thinking Budgets For Efficient Multi-Turn Reasoning in Agents6 Apr 2026
- 2026Scaling Reasoning Tokens via RL and Parallel Thinking: Evidence From Competitive Programming1 Apr 2026
- 2026LongCat-Flash-Prover: Advancing Native Formal Reasoning via Agentic Tool-Integrated Reinforcement Learning22 Mar 2026
- 2026Goedel-Code-Prover: Hierarchical Proof Search for Open State-of-the-Art Code Verification18 Mar 2026
- 2026TaoBench: Do Automated Theorem Prover LLMs Generalize Beyond MathLib?13 Mar 2026
- 2026Think Fast and Slow: Step-Level Cognitive Depth Adaptation for LLM Agents13 Feb 2026
- 2026TheoremForge: Scaling up Formal Data Synthesis with Low-Budget Agentic Workflow24 Jan 2026
- 2025Seed-Prover 1.5: Mastering Undergraduate-Level Theorem Proving via Learning from Experience19 Dec 2025
- 2025Adaptation of Agentic AI: A Survey of Post-Training, Memory, and Skills18 Dec 2025
- 2025G"odel's Poetry16 Dec 2025
- 2025Spark-Prover-X1: Formal Theorem Proving Through Diverse Data Training17 Nov 2025
- 2025Hilbert: Recursively Building Formal Proofs with Informal Reasoning26 Sep 2025
- 2025Tree Search for LLM Agent Reinforcement Learning25 Sep 2025
- 2025Tree Search for LLM Agent Reinforcement Learningcited by 79
- 2025Adaptation of Agentic AI: A Survey of Post-Training, Memory, and Skillscited by 22
- 2026LongCat-Flash-Prover: Advancing Native Formal Reasoning via Agentic Tool-Integrated Reinforcement Learningcited by 7
- 2026DreamProver: Evolving Transferable Lemma Libraries via a Wake-Sleep Theorem-Proving Agentcited by 5
- 2026TheoremForge: Scaling up Formal Data Synthesis with Low-Budget Agentic Workflowcited by 1
- 2026Automating Formal Verification with Agent-Guided Tree Searchcited by 0
- 2026Automating Formal Verification with Agent-Guided Tree Search26 May 2026
- 2026DreamProver: Evolving Transferable Lemma Libraries via a Wake-Sleep Theorem-Proving Agent29 Apr 2026
- 2026LongCat-Flash-Prover: Advancing Native Formal Reasoning via Agentic Tool-Integrated Reinforcement Learning22 Mar 2026
- 2026TheoremForge: Scaling up Formal Data Synthesis with Low-Budget Agentic Workflow24 Jan 2026
- 2025Adaptation of Agentic AI: A Survey of Post-Training, Memory, and Skills18 Dec 2025
- 2025Tree Search for LLM Agent Reinforcement Learning25 Sep 2025
- 2025Hilbert: Recursively Building Formal Proofs with Informal Reasoningcited by 60
- 2026Think Fast and Slow: Step-Level Cognitive Depth Adaptation for LLM Agentscited by 5
- 2026Not All Turns Are Equally Hard: Adaptive Thinking Budgets For Efficient Multi-Turn Reasoning in Agentscited by 4
- 2026Scaling Reasoning Tokens via RL and Parallel Thinking: Evidence From Competitive Programmingcited by 1
- 2026ReasFlow: Assisting Reasoning-Centric Scientific Discovery in Applied Mathematics via a Knowledge-Based Multi-Agent Systemcited by 1
- 2026Rethinking Supervision Granularity: Segment-Level Learning for LLM-Based Theorem Provingcited by 0
- 2026ReasFlow: Assisting Reasoning-Centric Scientific Discovery in Applied Mathematics via a Knowledge-Based Multi-Agent System15 Jul 2026
- 2026Rethinking Supervision Granularity: Segment-Level Learning for LLM-Based Theorem Proving12 May 2026
- 2026Not All Turns Are Equally Hard: Adaptive Thinking Budgets For Efficient Multi-Turn Reasoning in Agents6 Apr 2026
- 2026Scaling Reasoning Tokens via RL and Parallel Thinking: Evidence From Competitive Programming1 Apr 2026
- 2026Think Fast and Slow: Step-Level Cognitive Depth Adaptation for LLM Agents13 Feb 2026
- 2025Hilbert: Recursively Building Formal Proofs with Informal Reasoning26 Sep 2025
- 2025Seed-Prover 1.5: Mastering Undergraduate-Level Theorem Proving via Learning from Experiencecited by 44
- 2026Goedel-Code-Prover: Hierarchical Proof Search for Open State-of-the-Art Code Verificationcited by 11
- 2026TaoBench: Do Automated Theorem Prover LLMs Generalize Beyond MathLib?cited by 6
- 2026Theory-Level Autoformalization: From Isolated Statements to Unified Formal Knowledge Basescited by 3
- 2026The Problem Is the Problem: Towards Scalable Mathematical Discoverycited by 2
- 2025Spark-Prover-X1: Formal Theorem Proving Through Diverse Data Trainingcited by 1
- 2025G"odel's Poetrycited by 1
- 2026OptProver: Bridging Olympiad and Optimization through Continual Training in Formal Theorem Provingcited by 1
- 2026From Solvers to Research: Large Language Model-Driven Formal Mathematics at the Research Frontiercited by 1
- 2026Lectures on AI for Mathematicscited by 0
- 2026Position: Certified Correctness in Neural Constraint Reasoning Requires Symbolic Integrationcited by 0
- 2026ProofEvolve: Neuro-Symbolic Evolution for Formal Automated Theorem Provingcited by 0
12 most cited of 15 All 15 (JSON)
- 2026NanoProof: Open and Efficient Automated Theorem Proving in Lean 48 Oct 2026
- 2026TCSAlgBench: Benchmarking Automated Proving for Research-Level Theoretical Computer Science28 Sep 2026
- 2026When Does Structured Knowledge Help Neural Theorem Proving?28 Sep 2026
- 2026ProofEvolve: Neuro-Symbolic Evolution for Formal Automated Theorem Proving26 Aug 2026
- 2026The Problem Is the Problem: Towards Scalable Mathematical Discovery17 Aug 2026
- 2026Theory-Level Autoformalization: From Isolated Statements to Unified Formal Knowledge Bases14 Jul 2026
- 2026From Solvers to Research: Large Language Model-Driven Formal Mathematics at the Research Frontier8 Jul 2026
- 2026Position: Certified Correctness in Neural Constraint Reasoning Requires Symbolic Integration2 Jun 2026
- 2026OptProver: Bridging Olympiad and Optimization through Continual Training in Formal Theorem Proving26 Apr 2026
- 2026Lectures on AI for Mathematics13 Apr 2026
- 2026Goedel-Code-Prover: Hierarchical Proof Search for Open State-of-the-Art Code Verification18 Mar 2026
- 2026TaoBench: Do Automated Theorem Prover LLMs Generalize Beyond MathLib?13 Mar 2026
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