A Minimal Agent for Automated Theorem Proving
On the map: LLM agents and tool use → Educational agents and math problem solving
Abstract (arXiv)
We propose a minimal agentic baseline that enables systematic comparison across different AI-based theorem prover architectures. This design implements the core features shared among state-of-the-art systems: iterative proof refinement, library search and context management. We evaluate this agentic approach using qualitatively different benchmarks and compare various frontier language models and design choices. Our results show competitive performance compared to state-of-the-art approaches, while using a significantly simpler architecture and a fraction of their cost. Additionally, we demonstrate consistent advantages of an iterative approach over multiple single-shot generations, especially in terms of sample efficiency and cost effectiveness. The implementation is released open-source as a candidate reference for future research and as an accessible prover for the community.
Key facts. Cited by 13 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Placed in Educational agents and math problem solving, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use. Builds on 41 of its 60 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 27 Feb 2026.
Builds on
41 of 60 references.
Closest ancestors · 3
Same direction, newest first
- 2025Ax-Prover: A Deep Reasoning Agentic Framework for Theorem Proving in Mathematics and Quantum Physics14 Oct
- 2025Prover Agent: An Agent-Based Framework for Formal Mathematical Proofs24 Jun
- 2023An In-Context Learning Agent for Formal Theorem-Proving6 Oct
Other references · 38
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- 2023LeanDojo: Theorem Proving with Retrieval-Augmented Language Modelscited by 414
- 2021MiniF2F: a cross-system benchmark for formal Olympiad-level mathematicscited by 380
- 2022Draft, Sketch, and Prove: Guiding Formal Theorem Provers with Informal Proofscited by 278
- 2025DeepSeek-Prover-V2: Advancing Formal Mathematical Reasoning via Reinforcement Learning for Subgoal Decompositioncited by 270
- 2023Automatically Correcting Large Language Models: Surveying the landscape of diverse self-correction strategiescited by 236
- 2022HyperTree Proof Search for Neural Theorem Provingcited by 192
- 2024DeepSeek-Prover-V1.5: Harnessing Proof Assistant Feedback for Reinforcement Learning and Monte-Carlo Tree Searchcited by 189
- 2025Kimina-Prover Preview: Towards Large Formal Reasoning Models with Reinforcement Learningcited by 173
26 more
- 2024PutnamBench: Evaluating Neural Theorem-Provers on the Putnam Mathematical Competitioncited by 153
- 2025Goedel-Prover-V2: Scaling Formal Theorem Proving with Scaffolded Data Synthesis and Self-Correctioncited by 140
- 2019The Lean mathematical librarycited by 127
- 2025Goedel-Prover: A Frontier Model for Open-Source Automated Theorem Provingcited by 126
- 2025Seed-Prover: Deep and Broad Reasoning for Automated Theorem Provingcited by 96
- 2025BFS-Prover: Scalable Best-First Tree Search for LLM-based Automatic Theorem Provingcited by 82
- 2025STP: Self-play LLM Theorem Provers with Iterative Conjecturing and Provingcited by 77
- 2025Hilbert: Recursively Building Formal Proofs with Informal Reasoningcited by 55
- 2025Aristotle: IMO-level Automated Theorem Provingcited by 47
- 2024Process-Driven Autoformalization in Lean 4cited by 45
- 2025Seed-Prover 1.5: Mastering Undergraduate-Level Theorem Proving via Learning from Experiencecited by 36
- 2024InternLM2.5-StepProver: Advancing Automated Theorem Proving via Critic-Guided Searchcited by 34
- 2024HunyuanProver: A Scalable Data Synthesis Framework and Guided Tree Search for Automated Theorem Provingcited by 32
- 2024A Semantic Search Engine for Mathlib4cited by 30
- 2024Reliable Evaluation and Benchmarks for Statement Autoformalizationcited by 25
- 2025MA-LoT: Model-Collaboration Lean-based Long Chain-of-Thought Reasoning enhances Formal Theorem Provingcited by 24
- 2025FATE: A Formal Benchmark Series for Frontier Algebra of Multiple Difficulty Levelscited by 23
- 2025REAL-Prover: Retrieval Augmented Lean Prover for Mathematical Reasoningcited by 18
- 2025Reviving DSP for Advanced Theorem Proving in the Era of Reasoning Modelscited by 17
- 2024HepLean: Digitalising high energy physicscited by 10
- 2025Bourbaki: Self-Generated and Goal-Conditioned MDPs for Theorem Provingcited by 10
- 2023Abstraction boundaries and spec driven development in pure mathematicscited by 5
- 2021Formal Verification of Quantum Programs: Theory, Tools and Challengescited by 4
- 2025LeanCat: A Benchmark Suite for Formal Category Theory in Lean (Part I: 1-Categories)cited by 4
- 2022A Formally Certified End-to-End Implementation of Shor's Factorization Algorithmcited by 3
- 2017Formal Analysis of Linear Control Systems using Theorem Provingcited by 1
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Citing papers per year: 2026: 13.
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- 2026Goedel-Architect: Streamlining Formal Theorem Proving with Blueprint Generation and Refinementcited by 7
- 2026SorryDB: Can AI Provers Complete Real-World Lean Theorems?cited by 4
- 2026Beyond the Library: An Agentic Framework for Autoformalizing Research Mathematicscited by 4
- 2026Optimizing the Cost-Quality Tradeoff of Agentic Theorem Provers in Leancited by 3
- 2026AxDafny: Agentic Verified Code Generation in Dafnycited by 1
- 2026AoA: Theorem Proving Agent over Abstract Syntax Tree of Redesigned Languagecited by 1
- 2026FLARE: Verifying MILP Reformulations with LLM-Based Theorem Provingcited by 1
- 2026Compile to Compress: Boosting Formal Theorem Provers by Compiler Outputscited by 0
- 2026CAPRI: Contract-Aware Proof Repair for Isabellecited by 0
- 2026AxQM: A Textbook-Scale Benchmark for Formal Proof Synthesis in a Library of Finite-Dimensional Quantum Mechanicscited by 0
- 2026TCSAlgBench: Benchmarking Automated Proving for Research-Level Theoretical Computer Sciencecited by 0
- 2026FORALL-LEAN-AGENT for Auditable Reasoning in Formal Mathematics and Software Verificationcited by 0
1 more
- 2026Cost-Efficient Theorem Proving via Agent Orchestration in Program Verification7 Oct 2026
- 2026FORALL-LEAN-AGENT for Auditable Reasoning in Formal Mathematics and Software Verification1 Oct 2026
- 2026TCSAlgBench: Benchmarking Automated Proving for Research-Level Theoretical Computer Science28 Sep 2026
- 2026AxQM: A Textbook-Scale Benchmark for Formal Proof Synthesis in a Library of Finite-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics4 Sep 2026
- 2026FLARE: Verifying MILP Reformulations with LLM-Based Theorem Proving25 Aug 2026
- 2026CAPRI: Contract-Aware Proof Repair for Isabelle13 Aug 2026
- 2026AoA: Theorem Proving Agent over Abstract Syntax Tree of Redesigned Language17 Jul 2026
- 2026AxDafny: Agentic Verified Code Generation in Dafny30 Jun 2026
- 2026Beyond the Library: An Agentic Framework for Autoformalizing Research Mathematics30 Jun 2026
- 2026Goedel-Architect: Streamlining Formal Theorem Proving with Blueprint Generation and Refinement4 Jun 2026
- 2026Optimizing the Cost-Quality Tradeoff of Agentic Theorem Provers in Lean3 Jun 2026
- 2026Compile to Compress: Boosting Formal Theorem Provers by Compiler Outputs13 Mar 2026
1 more
- 2026Goedel-Architect: Streamlining Formal Theorem Proving with Blueprint Generation and Refinementcited by 7
- 2026Optimizing the Cost-Quality Tradeoff of Agentic Theorem Provers in Leancited by 3
- 2026AxDafny: Agentic Verified Code Generation in Dafnycited by 1
- 2026AoA: Theorem Proving Agent over Abstract Syntax Tree of Redesigned Languagecited by 1
- 2026FORALL-LEAN-AGENT for Auditable Reasoning in Formal Mathematics and Software Verificationcited by 0
- 2026Cost-Efficient Theorem Proving via Agent Orchestration in Program Verificationcited by 0
- 2026Cost-Efficient Theorem Proving via Agent Orchestration in Program Verification7 Oct 2026
- 2026FORALL-LEAN-AGENT for Auditable Reasoning in Formal Mathematics and Software Verification1 Oct 2026
- 2026AoA: Theorem Proving Agent over Abstract Syntax Tree of Redesigned Language17 Jul 2026
- 2026AxDafny: Agentic Verified Code Generation in Dafny30 Jun 2026
- 2026Goedel-Architect: Streamlining Formal Theorem Proving with Blueprint Generation and Refinement4 Jun 2026
- 2026Optimizing the Cost-Quality Tradeoff of Agentic Theorem Provers in Lean3 Jun 2026
- 2026SorryDB: Can AI Provers Complete Real-World Lean Theorems?cited by 4
- 2026FLARE: Verifying MILP Reformulations with LLM-Based Theorem Provingcited by 1
- 2026CAPRI: Contract-Aware Proof Repair for Isabellecited by 0
- 2026AxQM: A Textbook-Scale Benchmark for Formal Proof Synthesis in a Library of Finite-Dimensional Quantum Mechanicscited by 0
- 2026TCSAlgBench: Benchmarking Automated Proving for Research-Level Theoretical Computer Sciencecited by 0
- 2026TCSAlgBench: Benchmarking Automated Proving for Research-Level Theoretical Computer Science28 Sep 2026
- 2026AxQM: A Textbook-Scale Benchmark for Formal Proof Synthesis in a Library of Finite-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics4 Sep 2026
- 2026FLARE: Verifying MILP Reformulations with LLM-Based Theorem Proving25 Aug 2026
- 2026CAPRI: Contract-Aware Proof Repair for Isabelle13 Aug 2026
- 2026SorryDB: Can AI Provers Complete Real-World Lean Theorems?3 Mar 2026
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