Entropy Pacing Policy Optimization for Multi-Task Agentic Reinforcement Learning
On the map: LLM agents and tool use → Reinforcement learning for LLM agents
Abstract (arXiv)
Recent breakthroughs of Reinforcement Learning (RL) have highlighted its potential for complex agentic Large Language Model (LLM) tasks. However, existing efforts largely focus on single-task settings, whereas real-world deployment necessitates a generalist agent capable of solving multiple tasks simultaneously. In this work, we identify a critical yet underexplored phenomenon in multi-task agentic RL: different tasks can exhibit exploration-exploitation pace mismatch. Specifically, easier tasks may converge early to low-entropy policies that hinder learning on harder tasks, while harder tasks can, in turn, push easier tasks back toward high-entropy exploration. This back-and-forth interaction creates inter-task entropy crossovers and frequent entropy spikes. Inspired by this observation, we introduce Entropy Pacing Policy Optimization (EPPO) for multi-task agentic LLMs, which coordinates entropy across tasks to stabilize multi-task optimization. At the core of EPPO is a task-wise dynamic clipping mechanism that replaces the fixed clipping threshold in Group Relative Policy Optimization (GRPO) with a task entropy-aware adaptive bound, tightening updates for over-confident tasks while relaxing them for under-explored ones. Experiments on the multi-task agentic benchmarks demonstrate that the proposed EPPO yields results superior to its counterparts.
Key facts. No citing papers in the map yet (data through 7 Oct 2026). Placed in Reinforcement learning for LLM agents, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use. Builds on 40 of its 47 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 8 Jul 2026.
Builds on
40 of 47 references.
Closest ancestors · 6
Same direction, newest first
- 2026Multi-Turn Reinforcement Learning for Tool-Calling Agents with Iterative Reward Calibration3 Apr
- 2026ProRL Agent: Rollout-as-a-Service for RL Training of Multi-Turn LLM Agents19 Mar
- 2025AgentRL: Scaling Agentic Reinforcement Learning with a Multi-Turn, Multi-Task Framework5 Oct
- 2025The Landscape of Agentic Reinforcement Learning for LLMs: A Survey2 Sep
- 2025ReTool: Reinforcement Learning for Strategic Tool Use in LLMs15 Apr
- 2025ToRL: Scaling Tool-Integrated RL30 Mar
Other references · 34
- 2021Training Verifiers to Solve Math Word Problemscited by 9,743
- 2021Measuring Mathematical Problem Solving With the MATH Datasetcited by 5,203
- 2024Qwen2.5 Technical Reportcited by 4,713
- 2023GPQA: A Graduate-Level Google-Proof Q&A Benchmarkcited by 2,748
- 2025DAPO: An Open-Source LLM Reinforcement Learning System at Scalecited by 2,678
- 2024MMLU-Pro: A More Robust and Challenging Multi-Task Language Understanding Benchmarkcited by 1,758
- 2025Search-R1: Training LLMs to Reason and Leverage Search Engines with Reinforcement Learningcited by 1,371
- 2023AgentBench: Evaluating LLMs as Agentscited by 1,211
- 2020Gradient Surgery for Multi-Task Learningcited by 1,210
- 2022WebShop: Towards Scalable Real-World Web Interaction with Grounded Language Agentscited by 1,197
- 2024DeepSeek-Coder: When the Large Language Model Meets Programming -- The Rise of Code Intelligencecited by 1,154
- 2020ALFWorld: Aligning Text and Embodied Environments for Interactive Learningcited by 1,143
22 more
- 2025OpenAI GPT-5 System Cardcited by 910
- 2025DeepSeek-V3.2: Pushing the Frontier of Open Large Language Modelscited by 755
- 2025The Entropy Mechanism of Reinforcement Learning for Reasoning Language Modelscited by 463
- 2021Conflict-Averse Gradient Descent for Multi-task Learningcited by 441
- 2025WebThinker: Empowering Large Reasoning Models with Deep Research Capabilitycited by 320
- 2023AgentTuning: Enabling Generalized Agent Abilities for LLMscited by 319
- 2025Reasoning with Exploration: An Entropy Perspectivecited by 277
- 2025Large Language Model Agent: A Survey on Methodology, Applications and Challengescited by 194
- 2025WebDancer: Towards Autonomous Information Seeking Agencycited by 180
- 2026MiMo-V2-Flash Technical Reportcited by 163
- 2025InfiGUI-R1: Advancing Multimodal GUI Agents from Reactive Actors to Deliberative Reasonerscited by 140
- 2025Agentic Large Language Models, a surveycited by 105
- 2024o1-Coder: an o1 Replication for Codingcited by 77
- 2025BAPO: Stabilizing Off-Policy Reinforcement Learning for LLMs via Balanced Policy Optimization with Adaptive Clippingcited by 47
- 2025DCPO: Dynamic Clipping Policy Optimizationcited by 38
- 2025Rethinking Entropy Regularization in Large Reasoning Modelscited by 25
- 2025CE-GPPO: Coordinating Entropy via Gradient-Preserving Clipping Policy Optimization in Reinforcement Learningcited by 23
- 2025InternBootcamp: Boosting LLM Reasoning with Verifiable Task Scalingcited by 19
- 2026Demystifying Group Relative Policy Optimization: Its Policy Gradient is a U-Statisticcited by 19
- 2025TROLL: Trust Regions improve Reinforcement Learning for Large Language Modelscited by 7
- 2025Hephaestus: Improving Fundamental Agent Capabilities of Large Language Models through Continual Pre-Trainingcited by 6
- 2025Divide-Fuse-Conquer: Eliciting "Aha Moments" in Multi-Scenario Gamescited by 4
Built on by
Not cited yet.
Similar, not cited
Close in wording, no citation either way
- 2024Entropy-Regularized Token-Level Policy Optimization for Language Agent Reinforcement
- 2026Tool-Aware Optimization with Entropy Guidance for Efficient Agentic Reinforcement Learning
- 2026AEM: Adaptive Entropy Modulation for Multi-Turn Agentic Reinforcement Learning
- 2025Harnessing Uncertainty: Entropy-Modulated Policy Gradients for Long-Horizon LLM Agents
- 2026Entropy-Preserving Reinforcement Learning
- 2025Agentic Reinforced Policy Optimization
- 2025EPO: Entropy-regularized Policy Optimization for LLM Agents Reinforcement Learning
- 2026Targeted Exploration via Unified Entropy Control for Reinforcement Learning