# Agent Identity URI Scheme: Topology-Independent Naming and Capability-Based Discovery for Multi-Agent Systems

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.14567 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.14567/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 21 Jan 2026.

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Advancing MLLM-based UAV Image Understanding and Reasoning: A Benchmark and a Training-Free Multi-Agent System](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.11738/) (2026)
- [SoulAuth: An Actor-native Identity Architecture and Rust Reference Implementation for Humans and Long-lived AI Actors](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.11258/) (2026)
- [SemDHT: Certified Semantic Discovery for Peer-to-Peer Agent Networks over Exact-Key DHTs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.23539/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Multi-agent systems face a fundamental architectural flaw: agent identity is bound to network location. When agents migrate between providers, scale across instances, or federate across organizations, URI-based identity schemes break references, fragment audit trails, and require centralized coordination. We propose the agent:// URI scheme, which decouples identity from topology through three orthogonal components: a trust root establishing organizational authority, a hierarchical capability path enabling semantic discovery, and a sortable unique identifier providing stable reference. The scheme enables capability-based discovery through DHT key derivation, where queries return agents by what they do rather than where they are. Trust-root scoping prevents cross-organization pollution while permitting federation when desired. Cryptographic attestation via PASETO tokens binds capability claims to agent identity, enabling verification without real-time contact with the issuing authority. We evaluate the scheme across four dimensions: capability expressiveness (100% coverage on 369 production tools with zero collision), discovery precision (F1=1.0 across 10,000 agents), identity stability (formal proofs of migration invariance), and performance (all operations under 5 microseconds). The agent:// URI scheme provides a formally-specified, practically-evaluated foundation for decentralized agent identity and capability-based discovery.