Long-Horizon Plan Execution in Large Tool Spaces through Entropy-Guided Branching
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Abstract (arXiv)
Large Language Models (LLMs) have significantly advanced tool-augmented agents, enabling autonomous reasoning via API interactions. However, executing multi-step tasks within massive tool libraries remains challenging due to two critical bottlenecks: (1) the absence of rigorous, plan-level evaluation frameworks and (2) the computational demand of exploring vast decision spaces stemming from large toolsets and long-horizon planning. To bridge these gaps, we first introduce SLATE (Synthetic Large-scale API Toolkit for E-commerce), a large-scale context-aware benchmark designed for the automated assessment of tool-integrated agents. Unlike static metrics, SLATE accommodates diverse yet functionally valid execution trajectories, revealing that current agents struggle with self-correction and search efficiency. Motivated by these findings, we next propose Entropy-Guided Branching (EGB), an uncertainty-aware search algorithm that dynamically expands decision branches where predictive entropy is high. EGB optimizes the exploration-exploitation trade-off, significantly enhancing both task success rates and computational efficiency. Extensive experiments on SLATE demonstrate that our dual contribution provides a robust foundation for developing reliable and scalable LLM agents in tool-rich environments.
Key facts. Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 21 of its 29 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 13 Apr 2026.
Builds on
21 of 29 references.
References · 21
- 2022ReAct: Synergizing Reasoning and Acting in Language Modelscited by 8,695
- 2023Reflexion: Language Agents with Verbal Reinforcement Learningcited by 4,276
- 2023Self-Refine: Iterative Refinement with Self-Feedbackcited by 3,442
- 2023A Survey on Large Language Model based Autonomous Agentscited by 2,242
- 2023ToolLLM: Facilitating Large Language Models to Master 16000+ Real-world APIscited by 1,947
- 2023The Rise and Potential of Large Language Model Based Agents: A Surveycited by 1,439
- 2024τ-bench: A Benchmark for Tool-Agent-User Interaction in Real-World Domainscited by 1,402
- 2023Gorilla: Large Language Model Connected with Massive APIscited by 1,332
- 2022WebShop: Towards Scalable Real-World Web Interaction with Grounded Language Agentscited by 1,251
- 2020ALFWorld: Aligning Text and Embodied Environments for Interactive Learningcited by 1,205
- 2023Reasoning with Language Model is Planning with World Modelcited by 861
- 2023API-Bank: A Comprehensive Benchmark for Tool-Augmented LLMscited by 591
9 more
- 2023Language Agent Tree Search Unifies Reasoning Acting and Planning in Language Modelscited by 574
- 2023ToolAlpaca: Generalized Tool Learning for Language Models with 3000 Simulated Casescited by 393
- 2024Planning, Creation, Usage: Benchmarking LLMs for Comprehensive Tool Utilization in Real-World Complex Scenarioscited by 86
- 2025ACEBench: Who Wins the Match Point in Tool Usage?cited by 71
- 2025TRAJECT-Bench:A Trajectory-Aware Benchmark for Evaluating Agentic Tool Usecited by 51
- 2025On the Emergence of Thinking in LLMs I: Searching for the Right Intuitioncited by 22
- 2025Entropy-Gated Branching for Efficient Test-Time Reasoningcited by 22
- 2023REX: Rapid Exploration and eXploitation for AI Agentscited by 13
- 2025LLM-First Search: Self-Guided Exploration of the Solution Spacecited by 6
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Citing papers per year: 2026: 3.
3 papers.
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- 2026SIPO: Selective-Inference Policy Optimization for Tree-Structured Agentic RLcited by 0
- 2026SIPO: Selective-Inference Policy Optimization for Tree-Structured Agentic RL28 Sep 2026
- 2026Counterfactual Rollout Replay: Forkable Environments as Free Process Rewards for Software Engineering Agents27 Sep 2026
- 2026Uncertainty Quantification for LLM Agents: A Taxonomy, an Evaluation Protocol, and an Empirical Study7 Sep 2026
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- 2024ShortcutsBench: A Large-Scale Real-world Benchmark for API-based Agents
- 2026E-Bench: Benchmarking Multi-Step Tool-Use Agents in Real-World Product Scenarios
- 2026Tools as Continuous Flow for Evolving Agentic Reasoning
- 2023ToolChain*: Efficient Action Space Navigation in Large Language Models with A* Search
- 2025Multi-Mission Tool Bench: Assessing the Robustness of LLM based Agents through Related and Dynamic Missions
- 2026ToolTree: Efficient LLM Agent Tool Planning via Dual-Feedback Monte Carlo Tree Search and Bidirectional Pruning
- 2026Rethinking the Role of Entropy in Optimizing Tool-Use Behaviors for Large Language Model Agents
- 2025Beyond ReAct: A Planner-Centric Framework for Complex Tool-Augmented LLM Reasoning