# AX-SYS-08: Tell agents the next action, not just a menu

> Discovery and navigation · intermediate · AX-SYS-08

Return next-action hints and linked resources in responses, not navigation that only works visually.

## Why

Agents follow structured links and hints, not pixels. The canonical AX framework (agentexperience.ax — Agent Accessibility) states that services must not assume agents navigate the way humans do. HAL-style `_links` in response bodies give agents the next available actions without requiring them to parse a visual nav bar or infer from page layout.

## Do

Include `_links` with next steps.

## Don't

Rely on a visual nav bar.

## Artifact

HAL-style `_links`:

```json
{
  "order_id": "ord_123",
  "status": "pending_payment",
  "_links": {
    "self":   { "href": "/v1/orders/ord_123" },
    "pay":    { "href": "/v1/orders/ord_123/pay", "method": "POST" },
    "cancel": { "href": "/v1/orders/ord_123/cancel", "method": "POST" }
  }
}
```

## Citations

1. [agentexperience.ax — Principles of AX](https://agentexperience.ax/concepts/principles-of-ax/) — Agent Accessibility: agents interact through APIs and structured responses, not visual navigation — services must surface next actions in machine-readable form
2. [Speakeasy — Designing Agent Experience](https://www.speakeasy.com/blog/agent-experience-introduction) — Toolability: agents need clear, structured signals about what they can do next — not pixel navigation

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Source: Agent Experience Principles (axprinciples.com)