mlsanityData to 14 Oct 2026

SEARL: Joint Optimization of Policy and Tool Graph Memory for Self-Evolving Agents

arXiv 2604.07791 ↗First posted 9 Apr 2026cs.AI cs.LGcited by 6

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

also in 1 more
Abstract (arXiv)

Recent advances in Reinforcement Learning with Verifiable Rewards (RLVR) have demonstrated significant potential in single-turn reasoning tasks. With the paradigm shift toward self-evolving agentic learning, models are increasingly expected to learn from trajectories by synthesizing tools or accumulating explicit experiences. However, prevailing methods typically rely on large-scale LLMs or multi-agent frameworks, which hinder their deployment in resource-constrained environments. The inherent sparsity of outcome-based rewards also poses a substantial challenge, as agents typically receive feedback only upon completion of tasks. To address these limitations, we introduce a Tool-Memory based self-evolving agentic framework SEARL. Unlike approaches that directly utilize interaction experiences, our method constructs a structured experience memory that integrates planning with execution. This provides a novel state abstraction that facilitates generalization across analogous contexts, such as tool reuse. Consequently, agents extract explicit knowledge from historical data while leveraging inter-trajectory correlations to densify reward signals. We evaluate our framework on knowledge reasoning and mathematics tasks, demonstrating its effectiveness in achieving more practical and efficient learning.

Key facts. Cited by 6 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 24 of its 33 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 9 Apr 2026.

Builds on

24 of 33 references.

Closest ancestors · 3

Same direction, newest first

  1. 2025RLFactory: A Plug-and-Play Reinforcement Learning Post-Training Framework for LLM Multi-Turn Tool-Use31 Aug
  2. 2025Agent-as-Tool: A Study on the Hierarchical Decision Making with Reinforcement Learning2 Jul
  3. 2025Group-in-Group Policy Optimization for LLM Agent Training16 May

Other references · 21

  1. 2022ReAct: Synergizing Reasoning and Acting in Language Modelscited by 8,695
  2. 2021Measuring Mathematical Problem Solving With the MATH Datasetcited by 5,371
  3. 2023Let's Verify Step by Stepcited by 3,789
  4. 2018HotpotQA: A Dataset for Diverse, Explainable Multi-hop Question Answeringcited by 3,754
  5. 2025Search-R1: Training LLMs to Reason and Leverage Search Engines with Reinforcement Learningcited by 1,444
  6. 2020Constructing A Multi-hop QA Dataset for Comprehensive Evaluation of Reasoning Stepscited by 1,282
  7. 2020ALFWorld: Aligning Text and Embodied Environments for Interactive Learningcited by 1,205
  8. 2023GAIA: a benchmark for General AI Assistantscited by 1,128
  9. 2022Measuring and Narrowing the Compositionality Gap in Language Modelscited by 1,075
  10. 2025WebAgent-R1: Training Web Agents via End-to-End Multi-Turn Reinforcement Learningcited by 165
  11. 2025Beyond Ten Turns: Unlocking Long-Horizon Agentic Search with Large-Scale Asynchronous RLcited by 150
  12. 2025OWL: Optimized Workforce Learning for General Multi-Agent Assistance in Real-World Task Automationcited by 131
9 more
  1. 2025Alita: Generalist Agent Enabling Scalable Agentic Reasoning with Minimal Predefinition and Maximal Self-Evolutioncited by 116
  2. 2025Agent KB: Leveraging Cross-Domain Experience for Agentic Problem Solvingcited by 94
  3. 2024AgentGen: Enhancing Planning Abilities for Large Language Model based Agent via Environment and Task Generationcited by 83
  4. 2024ToolGen: Unified Tool Retrieval and Calling via Generationcited by 74
  5. 2025Self-Challenging Language Model Agentscited by 59
  6. 2024Self-evolving Agents with reflective and memory-augmented abilitiescited by 52
  7. 2024From Exploration to Mastery: Enabling LLMs to Master Tools via Self-Driven Interactionscited by 46
  8. 2026Stable Adaptive Thinking via Advantage Shaping and Length-Aware Gradient Regulationcited by 4
  9. 2025BaNEL: Exploration Posteriors for Generative Modeling Using Only Negative Rewardscited by 3

Built on by

Cited by year (2026 to 14 Oct)

Citing papers per year: 2026: 6.

6 papers.

Similar, not cited

Close in wording, no citation either way

  1. 2026RoMeRL: Balancing Feedback Coverage and the Memory-Reward Trap in Self-Evolving Agent Memory via Reduced-Order Utility States
  2. 2025VerlTool: Towards Holistic Agentic Reinforcement Learning with Tool Use
  3. 2026MemRL: Self-Evolving Agents via Runtime Reinforcement Learning on Episodic Memory
  4. 2026CHIME: Credit-Aware Hierarchical Memory Evolution for Long-Horizon Agentic Planning
  5. 2025MemEvolve: Meta-Evolution of Agent Memory Systems
  6. 2025Demystifying Reinforcement Learning in Agentic Reasoning
  7. 2026SkillRL: Evolving Agents via Recursive Skill-Augmented Reinforcement Learning
  8. 2026MAGE: Multi-Agent Self-Evolution with Co-Evolutionary Knowledge Graphs