mlsanityData to 14 Oct 2026

ASTRA: Automated Synthesis of agentic Trajectories and Reinforcement Arenas

arXiv 2601.21558 ↗First posted 29 Jan 2026cs.CLcited by 8

On the map: LLM agents and tool use → Reinforcement learning for LLM agents

Abstract (arXiv)

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used as tool-augmented agents for multi-step decision making, yet training robust tool-using agents remains challenging. Existing methods still require manual intervention, depend on non-verifiable simulated environments, rely exclusively on either supervised fine-tuning (SFT) or reinforcement learning (RL), and struggle with stable long-horizon, multi-turn learning. To address these challenges, we introduce ASTRA, a fully automated end-to-end framework for training tool-augmented language model agents via scalable data synthesis and verifiable reinforcement learning. ASTRA integrates two complementary components. First, a pipeline that leverages the static topology of tool-call graphs synthesizes diverse, structurally grounded trajectories, instilling broad and transferable tool-use competence. Second, an environment synthesis framework that captures the rich, compositional topology of human semantic reasoning converts decomposed question-answer traces into independent, code-executable, and rule-verifiable environments, enabling deterministic multi-turn RL. Based on this method, we develop a unified training methodology that integrates SFT with online RL using trajectory-level rewards to balance task completion and interaction efficiency. Experiments on multiple agentic tool-use benchmarks demonstrate that ASTRA-trained models achieve state-of-the-art performance at comparable scales, approaching closed-source systems while preserving core reasoning ability. We release the full pipelines, environments, and trained models at https://github.com/LianjiaTech/astra.

Key facts. Cited by 8 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Placed in Reinforcement learning for LLM agents, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use. Builds on 11 of its 31 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 29 Jan 2026.

Builds on

11 of 31 references.

Closest ancestors · 3

Same direction, newest first

  1. 2025CuES: A Curiosity-driven and Environment-grounded Synthesis Framework for Agentic RL1 Dec
  2. 2025Tool Zero: Training Tool-Augmented LLMs via Pure RL from Scratch2 Nov
  3. 2025Feedback-Driven Tool-Use Improvements in Large Language Models via Automated Build Environments12 Aug

Other references · 8

  1. 2023Efficient Memory Management for Large Language Model Serving with PagedAttentioncited by 5,944
  2. 2024τ-bench: A Benchmark for Tool-Agent-User Interaction in Real-World Domainscited by 1,402
  3. 2025Qwen3 Embedding: Advancing Text Embedding and Reranking Through Foundation Modelscited by 1,261
  4. 2025τ2-Bench: Evaluating Conversational Agents in a Dual-Control Environmentcited by 627
  5. 2025APIGen-MT: Agentic Pipeline for Multi-Turn Data Generation via Simulated Agent-Human Interplaycited by 167
  6. 2025TOUCAN: Synthesizing 1.5M Tool-Agentic Data from Real-World MCP Environmentscited by 69
  7. 2026Unlocking Implicit Experience: Synthesizing Tool-Use Trajectories from Textcited by 13
  8. 2025Close the Loop: Synthesizing Infinite Tool-Use Data via Multi-Agent Role-Playingcited by 9

Built on by

Cited by year (2026 to 14 Oct)

Citing papers per year: 2026: 8.

8 papers.

Similar, not cited

Close in wording, no citation either way

  1. 2025Agent-as-Tool: A Study on the Hierarchical Decision Making with Reinforcement Learning
  2. 2025AutoTIR: Autonomous Tools Integrated Reasoning via Reinforcement Learning
  3. 2026ASTER: Agentic Scaling with Tool-integrated Extended Reasoning
  4. 2025AutoTool: Dynamic Tool Selection and Integration for Agentic Reasoning
  5. 2026ToolSearcher: Optimizing Tool Selection at Scale via Reinforcement Learning
  6. 2025Agentic Reinforced Policy Optimization
  7. 2025Nemotron-Research-Tool-N1: Exploring Tool-Using Language Models with Reinforced Reasoning
  8. 2024Integrating Large Language Models and Reinforcement Learning for Non-Linear Reasoning