Agentic Shopping

Use Darwin to find shopping and delivery capabilities across Nike, Walmart, Target, Shopify, and FedEx to buy the right shoes and socks within a $250 delivered budget.

Find the exact Nike shoe in US men's size 10, plus one pack of everyday crew socks. Compare complete offers against a $250 limit, including tax and shipping, with delivery within seven days.

Purchase brief: the exact Nike shoes and a pack of socks within $250 delivered. Confirm live stock, complete prices, and arrival dates before checkout. Savings below are estimates for one purchase.

Intent

Find shoes and socks

Get the exact Nike pair and a crew-sock pack delivered

One pair of Nike Air Liquid Max shoes and one pack of crew socks, within $250 delivered and a seven-day target.

Time savings

Estimated minutes saved on this purchase

Estimate: 3 hours of shopping and tracking reduced to 1.75 hours, saving 75 minutes on this purchase.

Total savings

$20

Estimated basket savings

Estimated delivered offers: $245 versus $225 for the same basket. One purchase, including tax and delivery; no live quote.

Find the exact shoes and socks within the delivered budget

Muse uses Darwin Search to find product-discovery, purchase, and tracking capabilities. Nike identifies the shoe; Walmart, Target, and eligible Shopify merchants supply offers to compare.

Finding a shoe is easy; checking the exact size, seller, complete price, and arrival date across stores takes work. The shopper wants the right items delivered, not a list of almost-matching products.

Keep the exact shoe in the brief

Muse uses Nike's Air Liquid Max product reference, including the chosen colorway and size. The socks are a separate item and can come from Walmart, Target, or another eligible merchant. A search result for a similar shoe does not satisfy the request. The shopper also needs a clear distinction between an acceptable alternative and a failed match. Flexibility on the socks does not authorize a different shoe size or colorway. Carrying those preferences into every offer comparison prevents a cheaper-looking basket from winning simply because it no longer contains the items that were requested.

Sources: Nike Air Liquid Max: product reference

Use each brand for the job it actually does

Nike is the product reference and a possible seller. Walmart and Target are retail options, especially for the socks; they are not assumed to stock this shoe. Shopify supplies merchant catalog and eligible checkout infrastructure. FedEx comes into the flow only for parcels the seller ships with FedEx.

A retailer, a commerce platform, and a carrier are different capabilities.

Nike: Exact product reference. Air Liquid Max is a real product. Current price, size availability, and delivery require a live check.

Walmart + Target: Retail shopping. Both document AI shopping experiences. This does not establish unrestricted access from every assistant.

Shopify: Merchant discovery. Agent catalog interfaces expose product offers; checkout depends on the merchant and channel.

FedEx: Shipment tracking. The tracking API reports events for a FedEx tracking number; it does not prove which items are in the parcel.

Sources: Walmart: agentic shopping and Sparky · Target: conversational shopping · Shopify: catalogs for AI agents · Shopify: agentic storefronts and checkout · FedEx: tracking API

Compare the delivered basket, not a headline price

Muse compares complete baskets and shows the seller for every item, including marketplace sellers. A cheaper sock pack can cost more after a second shipping fee. Only offers that meet the shoe specification, full budget, and delivery target remain in the recommendation. If the exact shoe and socks cannot fit the $250 delivered ceiling, Muse reports that no matching basket is available and asks whether to wait or revise the budget; it does not silently substitute a shoe.

From the search brief to a reviewed selection

A reviewed basket identifies the exact shoe, socks, sellers, complete checkout totals, and delivery estimates.

Darwin Search API

via Muse MCP

One brief becomes a capability selection

Muse submits one shopping brief to Darwin Search, then selects available product, purchase, and tracking capabilities. Exact product matches and complete delivered totals determine the recommendation.

search request

Find Nike Air Liquid Max, style IQ7635-001, in US men's 10, plus one pack of everyday crew socks. Compare Nike, Walmart, Target, and eligible Shopify merchant offers. Keep the complete basket under $250 with tax and shipping and delivery within seven days.

query contains this brief; limit: 10 bounds the result set. The $250 is a requested total basket ceiling, not a verified current offer. Recheck taxes, shipping, stock, and arrival for the destination; report no match if the exact basket cannot fit.

Request example

// Search is read-only. Preserve the selected capability identifiers and revision from the result.
// mcp is your connected, authorized MCP client.
await mcp.callTool({
  name: "search",
  arguments: {
    query: "Find Nike Air Liquid Max, style IQ7635-001, in US men's 10, plus one pack of everyday crew socks. Compare Nike, Walmart, Target, and eligible Shopify merchant offers. Keep the complete basket under $250 with tax and shipping and delivery within seven days.",
    limit: 10,
  },
});

Keep the exact selection
Preserve aiId, capabilityId, and capabilityRevision for each chosen owner. Keep a returned searchAttributionId so the assignment stays linked to its discovery.
Select offers and supported purchase routes
Nike, Walmart, Target, Shopify, and FedEx play different roles. Only a live matching offer can be purchased; a brand mention or catalog listing is not proof of inventory or a checkout connection.
Carry the selection into Act
Darwin must verify an execution bridge and its input contract for the exact capability ID and revision. The current Search response does not include an Act-ready input contract. Until that bridge is verified, do not start the listing through Act. Search does not authorize work or spending.

Provider capabilities and sources

Nike · product: The Air Liquid Max reference is real; live size availability is not asserted.; Nike Air Liquid Max: product reference
Walmart + Target · retailers: Both document conversational shopping; seller and channel availability still determine the purchase route.; Walmart: agentic shopping and Sparky · Target: conversational shopping
Shopify · commerce: Agent catalogs support discovery; checkout depends on the merchant and channel.; Shopify: catalogs for AI agents · Shopify: agentic storefronts and checkout
FedEx · tracking: Tracking is available for assigned FedEx shipments, not every retailer order.; FedEx: tracking API

Act

Confirm the purchase and follow each parcel

Muse carries the exact variants and reviewed totals into the available purchase routes. The shopper confirms the final checkout; order references then become the input for tracking, without restarting the shopping task.

Recheck the selected items

Muse starts the chosen purchase-coordination capability with the Nike variant, sock offer, destination reference, and complete spending limit. It checks current stock and shipping before commitment. Walmart and Target offers remain tied to their actual sellers; Shopify checkout is used only for the selected merchant where supported. Offer verification happens against the actual seller and selected variant before the purchase is authorized. Availability, shipping charges, and arrival estimates can change between discovery and checkout, so the reviewed basket needs an updated total. If the terms no longer fit the original request, the shopper receives the difference to decide on before committing.

Carry the checkout into the delivery record

The shopper approves each final seller checkout, including the item, tax, shipping, and return terms. Muse retains the receipt and order reference. An eligible Shopify merchant may offer in-channel checkout; otherwise the seller's supported checkout remains the purchase path.

Each handoff retains the identity of the item and seller.

Nike + retailer: Exact item offer. Shoe style and size, sock pack, seller, stock, and destination-specific total.

Walmart / Target / Shopify: Selected seller receipt. Use only the route for the chosen seller. Save confirmed items, amount, order reference, and promised delivery.

Seller → FedEx: Assigned tracking number. When the seller uses FedEx, associate that tracking number with the correct order and parcel.

Sources: Shopify: agentic storefronts and checkout

Follow the actual carrier

Muse uses the selected tracking capability to read FedEx events for a FedEx parcel. Other parcels stay with their assigned carriers. A delayed or delivered scan updates the order record; it does not authorize a second purchase or prove that the shoe fits.

Sources: FedEx: tracking API

From selected capabilities to coordinated work

Muse carries the chosen Nike and sock offers into authorized checkout, retains the seller receipts, and follows the assigned carrier, including FedEx where applicable.

Darwin Act API

via Muse MCP

Muse uses Darwin Act to coordinate the selected purchase and tracking routes. Nike defines the shoe, Walmart and Target supply retail offers, Shopify supports eligible merchants, and FedEx supplies events for parcels assigned to it. No shared checkout or direct brand-to-brand connection is assumed.

1start_actionStart one scoped assignment
Start the selected purchase or tracking capability with its exact Search ID and revision. Map the approved items and constraints into its input contract; use separate Actions where different sellers or services require them.
2get_actionRead progress and recover the same work
Read the same Action for checkout requirements, order references, and later shipment updates. Muse does not treat a prepared cart, an accepted payment, or a created shipping label as delivery.
3continue_actionSupply a requested handoff
Answer a requested size or delivery clarification on the existing Action when updates are allowed. A changed item, total, or seller goes back to the shopper for a new purchase decision.
4end_actionClose the work and read its outcome
Close the permitted assignment after its contracted result is checked, using the current revision. Keep the receipt and tracking outcome; the buyer's item check establishes that the order is correct.

Request fields and returned state

`start_action`

// Only after Darwin verifies an execution bridge and input contract for this capability revision. Persist startRequestId; reuse it for retries.
// mcp is your connected, authorized MCP client.
await mcp.callTool({
  name: "start_action",
  arguments: {
    capabilityId: selectedCapability.capabilityId,
    capabilityRevision: selectedCapability.capabilityRevision,
    inputs: capabilityInputs,
    requestId: startRequestId,
  },
});

capabilityId + capabilityRevision: Exact identifiers from the selected Search result, not names reconstructed from text.
inputs: Only the fields required by the verified capability input contract. The task brief below describes the work, not a universal JSON schema.
requestId: A new idempotency key for this assignment. Reuse it only when retrying this same start.

Retain actionId, revision, lifecycle, status, and availableActions. An accepted or running Action is not completed work.

`get_action`

// Use the actionId returned by start_action. Read state before deciding on the next operation.
// mcp is your connected, authorized MCP client.
await mcp.callTool({
  name: "get_action",
  arguments: {
    actionId,
  },
});

actionId: The identifier returned by start_action. Reuse it after an interruption; do not start a duplicate task.

Read status, result, actionRequired, availableActions, revision, lifecycle, and outcome. The result content depends on the selected capability.

`continue_action`

// Call only when availableActions includes update. Persist updateRequestId and retry only the identical update.
// mcp is your connected, authorized MCP client.
await mcp.callTool({
  name: "continue_action",
  arguments: {
    actionId,
    message: handoffMessage,
    requestId: updateRequestId,
  },
});

actionId + message: Send the requested clarification or safe output references to the existing Action, only when availableActions includes update.
requestId: A new key for this update; reuse it only to retry the identical update.

Reread the Action after the update. An ordinary message never approves an interaction or grants provider access.

`end_action`

// Finish only when permitted by availableActions and the work is checked. Persist endRequestId; read until lifecycle is ended.
// mcp is your connected, authorized MCP client.
await mcp.callTool({
  name: "end_action",
  arguments: {
    actionId,
    expectedRevision: latestAction.revision,
    intent: "finish",
    requestId: endRequestId,
  },
});

actionId + expectedRevision: Use the same Action and the exact revision from the latest get_action response.
intent + requestId: Use finish for completed work, with a new stable key for that closure request, when the current Action permits it.

An ending lifecycle has no final outcome. Read get_action until ended, then retain the returned succeeded, failed, canceled, or unknown outcome.

Action state, permissions, and recovery

State controls the next call: availableActions is the authority for mutations. Poll get_action with bounded backoff; pause while a person completes a hosted step, then reread the same Action.
Use the authorized AI: Actions use the caller's active authorized AI, or an explicitly authorized actingAiId. Carry a returned target AI only when the capability requires it; a public listing is not a permission grant.
Keep secure steps separate: Darwin OAuth grants the approved scopes. Provider authentication and any exact approval or payment request are separate interactions. Use the first-party webLink; never send credentials in task messages.
Close every assignment: Use end_action with the current revision and intent: finish when permitted. Follow ending to ended through get_action. A recorded outcome does not replace checking the delivered work.

Outcome

Check the delivered items and the final price

The successful outcome is the requested basket received within the approved total, with the seller receipts and delivery status together. Muse follows the purchase through the item check, rather than stopping at a shopping recommendation.

From a product search to the right items received

Nike anchors the product match. Walmart, Target, and Shopify merchant offers give Muse options to compare without assuming every store has the same inventory. The chosen seller supplies the receipt, and FedEx supplies tracking for any FedEx parcel. Darwin keeps the selected work and returned references connected. The final check compares the received items with the approved basket, including size, quantity, seller, and the amount charged. A tracking event alone cannot establish that the correct products arrived. Keeping the order and delivery records together gives the shopper a useful starting point if an item is missing, incorrect, or needs a return.

Check the order against the original request

Success requires the right shoe, the agreed socks, and the approved total. Muse matches receipts to the selection and delivery events to the right parcel. The shopper confirms the received items; a carrier scan alone cannot establish size, condition, or contents.

Less comparison work, a clear final price

The purchase estimate reduces shopping, checkout, tracking, and item checks from three hours to 1.75 hours, recovering 75 minutes. Estimated basket savings are $20, based on comparing $245 and $225 delivered totals for identical items. Verify both offers at checkout, including tax, shipping, and service fees. If there is no cheaper equivalent basket, price savings are zero.

Muse checks size, seller, shipping, and tracking while the shopper approves the final basket and checks the received items. Report minutes saved separately from the difference between complete basket prices. An unused portion of the $250 budget is not a discount.

The result and the effort behind it

The shopper has the correct shoe and socks, matched seller receipts, final charges, and delivery records for each parcel.

1. Search
Find the right capabilities
A reviewed basket identifies the exact shoe, socks, sellers, complete checkout totals, and delivery estimates.
2. Act
Coordinate the handoffs
Muse carries the chosen Nike and sock offers into authorized checkout, retains the seller receipts, and follows the assigned carrier, including FedEx where applicable.
3. Outcome
Return the complete result
The shopper has the correct shoe and socks, matched seller receipts, final charges, and delivery records for each parcel.

Pilot estimate

Less searching. Fewer manual handoffs.

Estimated buyer effort for the same scope and acceptance criteria. Track actual hours during the pilot to compare with these estimates.

Time to a reviewed selection

2 working hours without Darwin; 1 with Darwin in the pilot estimate.

1h lessestimated research effort

Without DarwinWith Darwin

Cumulative working hours

Research and comparison work accumulate until the buyer has reviewed the selection. Delivery time is separate.

Human effort across the same scope

3 staff-hours without Darwin; 1.75 with Darwin in the pilot estimate.

1.25h lessestimated coordination effort

Without DarwinWith Darwin

Staff-hours by work role

Work roles may belong to the same person or run in parallel. Specialist production, fulfillment, waiting and provider execution are excluded from both columns.

Calculation and chart data

A complete brief and the required access are available. The same buyer acceptance checks apply in both approaches.
Muse organizes discovery and handoffs; people still approve scope and review results. Estimated savings come from research and coordination.
Discovery is included in total effort. Time value measures recovered capacity; basket savings measure a difference in purchase price.
Record actual hours and costs during the pilot to calculate the achieved savings.

Discovery: estimated cumulative working hours
Milestone	Without Darwin	With Darwin
Specify	0.25h	0.25h
Find	1h	0.5h
Compare	1.75h	0.75h
Choose	2h	1h

Team effort: estimated staff-hours
Role	Without Darwin	With Darwin
Comparison	2h	1h
Checkout	0.25h	0.25h
Order tracking	0.5h	0.25h
Item check	0.25h	0.25h