Remove redundant CEL text helper (#6528)

This commit removes the redundant CEL text helper, in favor of the
easier interpolation syntax.

lib/cli/src/crewai_cli/templates/declarative_flow/AGENTS.md

@@ -59,9 +59,9 @@ Use these expression forms correctly:
 - Raw CEL: use in `expr`. Do not wrap raw CEL in `${...}`.
 - Use `${...}` inside action mapping strings to read Flow data with CEL. Example value: `Ticket: ${state.ticket_id}`.
 - Use `state` for input data. Use `outputs.step_name` for a completed method result.
+- In action mapping strings, keep literal text outside `${...}` and interpolate each Flow value directly. Write `Ticket: ${state.ticket_id}`; do not assemble the string with CEL `+`.
 - If a value is only one `${...}` expression, the result keeps its type. Use this for numbers, booleans, objects, and lists.
 - If the string has other text, the final value is text. Non-text values become JSON. `null` becomes empty text.
-- Use `text(root, "path", "default")` for values that may be missing or null. The default is optional and is `""`.
 
 Expression examples:
 
@@ -78,12 +78,6 @@ domains: "${state.domains}"
 limit: "${state.limit}"
 ```
 
-Use a default for missing text:
-
-```yaml
-input: "Ticket ${text(state, \"ticket.id\", \"unknown\")}"
-```
-
 - Crew text: use `{name}` placeholders from crew inputs. Example: `Research {topic}`.
 - Crew inputs become prompt text only when agent or task text references matching `{name}` placeholders.
 - Passing an input that is not referenced by any `{name}` placeholder does not ground the crew. If the crew needs a field, put that placeholder in an agent `goal`, task `description`, or task `expected_output`.
@@ -111,6 +105,7 @@ Dynamic value rules:
 - Do not use fields outside the declaration schema.
 - Do not put more than one action under a method's `do`.
 - Do not make `do` a list.
+- Do not use CEL `+` to build text in action mappings. Keep the text literal and insert each dynamic value with `${...}`.
 - Do not reference `outputs.some_method` before `some_method` can run.
 - Do not set a method's `listen` to its own method name.
 - Do not use the same string for an emitted event and a method name unless the user asks for it.
@@ -246,7 +241,7 @@ Shape:
 Fields:
 - `call` (required): must be `crew`. Action discriminator. Use crew to run an inline Crew definition. Example: `crew`
 - `with` (required): inline crew definition. Inline Crew definition to load and execute for this action. Example: `{"agents": {"researcher": {"backstory": "Knows the domain.", "goal": "Research {topic}", "role": "Researcher"}}, "name": "inline_research", "tasks": [{"agent": "researcher", "description": "Research {topic}", "expected_output": "Findings about {topic}", "name": "research_task"}]}`
-- `inputs` (optional): map of string to expression data | null; default `null`. Actual kickoff inputs passed to the Crew. Use `${...}` inside action mapping strings to read Flow data with CEL. Example value: `Ticket: ${state.ticket_id}`. Use `state` for input data. Use `outputs.step_name` for a completed method result. If a value is only one `${...}` expression, the result keeps its type. Use this for numbers, booleans, objects, and lists. If the string has other text, the final value is text. Non-text values become JSON. `null` becomes empty text. Use `text(root, "path", "default")` for values that may be missing or null. The default is optional and is `""`. The evaluated values are available to crew agent and task interpolation as `{name}` placeholders; reference each input the crew needs in agent or task text. Example: `{"topic": "${state.topic}"}`
+- `inputs` (optional): map of string to expression data | null; default `null`. Runtime inputs passed to the Crew. Insert Flow values with `${...}` and reference each input as `{name}` in agent or task text. Example: `{"topic": "${state.topic}"}`
 
 #### Crew Definition (`methods.<name>.do[call=crew].with`)
 
@@ -311,7 +306,7 @@ Fields:
 - `tools` (optional): list[string | map of string to any] | null; default `null`. Tool refs or serialized tool definitions available to this agent. String refs can use CrewAI tool names, `custom:<name>`, or fully qualified `module:Class` references. Example: `["crewai_tools:SerperDevTool", "custom:file_read"]`
 - `apps` (optional): list[string] | null; default `null`. Platform apps available to this agent. Can contain app names such as `gmail` or app/action refs such as `gmail/send_email`. Example: `["gmail", "slack/send_message"]`
 - `mcps` (optional): list[string | map of string to any] | null; default `null`. MCP server refs or serialized MCP server configs available to this agent. String refs can use HTTPS URLs, connected MCP integration slugs, or refs with a `#tool_name` suffix for specific tools. Example: `["https://api.weather.com/mcp#get_current_weather", "snowflake", "stripe#list_invoices", {"cache_tools_list": true, "headers": {"Authorization": "Bearer your_token"}, "streamable": true, "url": "https://api.example.com/mcp"}]`
-- `input` (required): string. Input passed to the individual agent kickoff outside of a crew. Use one string. Use `${...}` inside action mapping strings to read Flow data with CEL. Example value: `Ticket: ${state.ticket_id}`. Use `state` for input data. Use `outputs.step_name` for a completed method result. If a value is only one `${...}` expression, the result keeps its type. Use this for numbers, booleans, objects, and lists. If the string has other text, the final value is text. Non-text values become JSON. `null` becomes empty text. Use `text(root, "path", "default")` for values that may be missing or null. The default is optional and is `""`. When an agent needs multiple fields, write one string with labels and separators, for example `Ticket ID: ${state.ticket_id}; Message: ${state.message}`. Example: `${state.ticket.body}`
+- `input` (required): string. Agent prompt template. Insert Flow values with `${...}`, for example `Ticket: ${state.ticket_id}`. Example: `${state.ticket.body}`
 
 #### LLM Definition
 
@@ -349,4 +344,3 @@ Fields:
 - Crew action-level `inputs` are the Crew kickoff inputs; use CEL-wrapped strings there for runtime values.
 - Crew agent/task interpolation uses `{name}` placeholders from evaluated crew inputs.
 - Agent `with.input` must be text. Use `${outputs.method_name.raw}` or a text field like `${outputs.method_name.json_dict.summary}`.
-

lib/cli/tests/test_create_flow.py

@@ -29,7 +29,9 @@ def test_create_flow_declarative_project_can_run(
     agents_md = (project_root / "AGENTS.md").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
     assert "CrewAI Flow declaration" in agents_md
     assert "schema: crewai.flow/v1" in agents_md
-    assert 'text(root, "path", "default")' in agents_md
+    assert "do not assemble the string with CEL `+`" in agents_md
+    assert "Agent prompt template. Insert Flow values with `${...}`" in agents_md
+    assert "Runtime inputs passed to the Crew" in agents_md
     assert "call: expression" in agents_md
     assert "call: tool" not in agents_md
     assert "call: script" not in agents_md

lib/crewai/src/crewai/flow/expressions.py

@@ -11,9 +11,6 @@ from crewai.utilities.serialization import to_serializable
 
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from celpy.celtypes import StringType
-    from celpy.evaluation import CELFunction
-
     from crewai.flow.runtime import Flow
 else:
     from typing_extensions import TypeAliasType
@@ -24,29 +21,6 @@ _CEL_MACROS_WITH_LOCAL_BINDINGS = frozenset(
 )
 
 
-def _handle_text_custom_expression(
-    root: Any, path: Any, default: Any = ""
-) -> StringType:
-    from celpy.celtypes import StringType
-
-    fallback = StringType("" if default is None else str(default))
-    current = root
-    for part in str(path).split("."):
-        if current is None:
-            return fallback
-        try:
-            if isinstance(current, list):
-                current = current[int(part)]
-            else:
-                current = current[StringType(part)]
-        except (KeyError, IndexError, TypeError, ValueError):
-            return fallback
-
-    if current is None:
-        return fallback
-    return StringType(_stringify_cel_value(current))
-
-
 def _stringify_cel_value(value: Any) -> str:
     from celpy.adapter import CELJSONEncoder
 
@@ -98,21 +72,18 @@ def _parse_template_segments(value: str) -> tuple[str | _ExpressionSegment, ...]
     return tuple(segments)
 
 
-_EXPRESSION_FUNCTIONS: dict[str, CELFunction] = {
-    "text": _handle_text_custom_expression,
-}
-
 FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_RULES: tuple[str, ...] = (
     "Use `${...}` inside action mapping strings to read Flow data with CEL. "
     "Example value: `Ticket: ${state.ticket_id}`.",
     "Use `state` for input data. Use `outputs.step_name` for a completed "
     "method result.",
+    "In action mapping strings, keep literal text outside `${...}` and "
+    "interpolate each Flow value directly. Write `Ticket: ${state.ticket_id}`; "
+    "do not assemble the string with CEL `+`.",
     "If a value is only one `${...}` expression, the result keeps its type. "
     "Use this for numbers, booleans, objects, and lists.",
     "If the string has other text, the final value is text. Non-text values "
     "become JSON. `null` becomes empty text.",
-    'Use `text(root, "path", "default")` for values that may be missing '
-    'or null. The default is optional and is `""`.',
 )
 FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_CONTRACT = " ".join(FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_RULES)
 FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_EXAMPLES: dict[str, tuple[dict[str, str], ...]] = {
@@ -125,10 +96,6 @@ FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_EXAMPLES: dict[str, tuple[dict[str, str], ...]] = {
             "title": "Keep a list or number type",
             "code": 'domains: "${state.domains}"\nlimit: "${state.limit}"',
         },
-        {
-            "title": "Use a default for missing text",
-            "code": 'input: "Ticket ${text(state, \\"ticket.id\\", \\"unknown\\")}"',
-        },
     ),
     "json": (
         {
@@ -141,14 +108,6 @@ FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_EXAMPLES: dict[str, tuple[dict[str, str], ...]] = {
                 '{\n  "domains": "${state.domains}",\n  "limit": "${state.limit}"\n}'
             ),
         },
-        {
-            "title": "Use a default for missing text",
-            "code": (
-                "{\n"
-                '  "input": "Ticket ${text(state, \\"ticket.id\\", \\"unknown\\")}"\n'
-                "}"
-            ),
-        },
     ),
 }
 
@@ -374,8 +333,7 @@ class Expression:
 
             environment = Environment()
             program = environment.program(
-                Expression._compile_cel(expression, environment=environment),
-                functions=_EXPRESSION_FUNCTIONS,
+                Expression._compile_cel(expression, environment=environment)
             )
             result = program.evaluate(cast(Context, json_to_cel(context)))
             return json.loads(json.dumps(result, cls=CELJSONEncoder))

lib/crewai/src/crewai/flow/skill.py

@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ from jinja2 import Environment, FileSystemLoader
 import yaml
 
 from crewai.flow.expressions import (
-    FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_CONTRACT,
     FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_EXAMPLES,
     FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_RULES,
 )
@@ -186,7 +185,14 @@ MODEL_SPECS: tuple[ModelSpec, ...] = (
         hidden=True,
     ),
     ModelSpec("FlowScriptActionDefinition", "Action", "methods.<name>.do[call=script]"),
-    ModelSpec("FlowToolActionDefinition", "Action", "methods.<name>.do[call=tool]"),
+    ModelSpec(
+        "FlowToolActionDefinition",
+        "Action",
+        "methods.<name>.do[call=tool]",
+        descriptions={
+            "with": "Tool input arguments. Insert Flow values with `${...}`.",
+        },
+    ),
     ModelSpec(
         "FlowCrewActionDefinition",
         "Action",
@@ -194,7 +200,7 @@ MODEL_SPECS: tuple[ModelSpec, ...] = (
         examples=True,
         descriptions={
             "call": "Action discriminator. Use crew to run an inline Crew definition.",
-            "inputs": f"Actual kickoff inputs passed to the Crew. {FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_CONTRACT} The evaluated values are available to crew agent and task interpolation as `{{name}}` placeholders; reference each input the crew needs in agent or task text.",
+            "inputs": "Runtime inputs passed to the Crew. Insert Flow values with `${...}` and reference each input as `{name}` in agent or task text.",
         },
     ),
     ModelSpec(
@@ -262,7 +268,7 @@ MODEL_SPECS: tuple[ModelSpec, ...] = (
         hidden=True,
         examples=True,
         descriptions={
-            "input": f"Input passed to the individual agent kickoff outside of a crew. Use one string. {FLOW_TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION_CONTRACT} When an agent needs multiple fields, write one string with labels and separators, for example `Ticket ID: ${{state.ticket_id}}; Message: ${{state.message}}`.",
+            "input": "Agent prompt template. Insert Flow values with `${...}`, for example `Ticket: ${state.ticket_id}`.",
             "llm": "Language model that runs this agent. Use an object when setting LLM options such as `max_tokens`.",
             "planning_config": "Agent planning configuration. Set `max_attempts` to limit planning refinement attempts before task execution.",
         },

lib/crewai/src/crewai/flow/templates/flow_definition_skill.md.j2

@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ Pick the simplest action that does the job.
 - Use `call: tool` for packaged deterministic work: API calls, searches, lookups, scoring, file work, or custom CrewAI tools.
 {% endif %}
 - Use `call: agent` for one AI worker that classifies, decides, summarizes, writes, or drafts. Put `role`, `goal`, `backstory`, and `input` under `with`. Do not add an action-level `inputs` map to an agent.
+- Repository-backed agents may set `from_repository` and omit inline `role`, `goal`, and `backstory`. Explicitly provided fields override repository values.
 - Use `call: crew` for coordinated AI work with multiple agents or tasks. Define the crew under `with`. Pass runtime values with the action-level `inputs` map.
 {% if include_each_action %}
 - Use `call: each` when the same ordered mini-pipeline must run once per item. Give every step a `name`.
@@ -137,6 +138,7 @@ Dynamic value rules:
 - Do not use fields outside the declaration schema{% if include_tool_action %} or tool refs shown here{% endif %}.
 - Do not put more than one action under a method's `do`.
 - Do not make `do` a list.
+- Do not use CEL `+` to build text in action mappings. Keep the text literal and insert each dynamic value with `${...}`.
 - Do not reference `outputs.some_method` before `some_method` can run.
 - Do not set a method's `listen` to its own method name.
 - Do not use the same string for an emitted event and a method name unless the user asks for it.

lib/crewai/tests/test_flow_definition.py

@@ -1348,7 +1348,15 @@ def test_skill_documents_flow_wiring():
     assert "```yaml" in skill
     assert "[Method](#method-methods)" in skill
     assert 'input: "Reviewed research: ${outputs.research_brief.raw}"' in skill
-    assert 'text(root, "path", "default")' in skill
+    assert "do not assemble the string with CEL `+`" in skill
+    assert "Do not use CEL `+` to build text in action mappings" in skill
+    assert "Agent prompt template. Insert Flow values with `${...}`" in skill
+    assert (
+        "Repository-backed agents may set `from_repository` and omit inline "
+        "`role`, `goal`, and `backstory`" in skill
+    )
+    assert "Runtime inputs passed to the Crew" in skill
+    assert "Tool input arguments. Insert Flow values with `${...}`" in skill
     assert "trust CrewAI defaults and omit them" in skill
     assert "#### LLM Definition" in skill
     assert "`max_tokens` (optional): integer | null; default `null`" in skill

lib/crewai/tests/test_flow_from_definition.py

@@ -1102,7 +1102,7 @@ methods:
     )
 
 
-def test_tool_action_renders_text_custom_expression_inputs():
+def test_tool_action_renders_interpolated_inputs():
     yaml_str = f"""
 schema: crewai.flow/v1
 name: ToolFlow
@@ -1112,8 +1112,8 @@ methods:
       call: tool
       ref: {__name__}:StaticSearchTool
       with:
-        search_query: "${{'Ticket ID: ' + text(state, 'ticket.id') + '; Subject: ' + text(state, 'ticket.subject') + '; Priority: ' + text(state, 'priority', 'unknown') + '; Message: ' + text(state, 'messages.0.body')}}"
-        prefix: "${{text(state, 'ticket')}}"
+        search_query: "Ticket ID: ${{state.ticket.id}}; Subject: ${{state.ticket.subject}}; Message: ${{state.messages[0].body}}"
+        prefix: "${{state.prefix}}"
     start: true
 """
 
@@ -1124,9 +1124,10 @@ methods:
             inputs={
                 "ticket": {"id": 123, "subject": None},
                 "messages": [{"body": "Initial report"}],
+                "prefix": "ticket",
             }
         )
-        == '{"id": 123, "subject": null}:Ticket ID: 123; Subject: ; Priority: unknown; Message: Initial report'
+        == "ticket:Ticket ID: 123; Subject: ; Message: Initial report"
     )
 
 
@@ -1319,7 +1320,7 @@ methods:
         role: Analyst
         goal: Answer questions
         backstory: Knows things.
-        input: "Ticket ID: ${text(state, 'ticket.id')}; Subject: ${text(state, 'ticket.subject')}"
+        input: "Ticket ID: ${state.ticket.id}; Subject: ${state.ticket.subject}"
     start: true
 """
 
@@ -2909,37 +2910,6 @@ def test_explicit_cel_fields_accept_expression_markers():
     assert Flow.from_declaration(contents=definition).kickoff(inputs={"score": 90}) == "qualified"
 
 
-def test_expression_action_runs_text_custom_expression():
-    definition = FlowDefinition.from_declaration(contents=
-        {
-            "schema": "crewai.flow/v1",
-            "name": "ExpressionFlow",
-            "methods": {
-                "summarize": {
-                    "start": True,
-                    "do": {
-                        "call": "expression",
-                        "expr": (
-                            "'Ticket ID: ' + text(state, 'ticket.id') + "
-                            "'; Tags: ' + text(state, 'tags')"
-                        ),
-                    },
-                }
-            },
-        }
-    )
-
-    assert (
-        Flow.from_declaration(contents=definition).kickoff(
-            inputs={
-                "ticket": {"id": 123},
-                "tags": ["urgent", "billing"],
-            }
-        )
-        == 'Ticket ID: 123; Tags: ["urgent", "billing"]'
-    )
-
-
 def test_expression_local_context_recurses_into_dataclass_values():
     from crewai.flow.expressions import Expression