# Background Mode

> An execution mode where a long-running AI task continues asynchronously while the application polls for status or results.

- Category: Agents & Autonomy
- Stage: Rising
- Also called: Async response, Background run
- Canonical: https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/background-mode

## Plain English

The request keeps working after the user stops waiting on an open connection.

## Example

A research agent starts a complex analysis in the background and the app checks the response object until it finishes.

## Why it matters

Background execution is becoming core agent infrastructure because useful work can take minutes and should survive browser or network interruptions.

## Related

- [Long-Running Agent](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/long-running-agent)
- [Durable Execution](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/durable-execution)
- [Checkpoint](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/checkpoint)

## Sources

- [OpenAI: Background Mode](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/background)
- [OpenAI: Agents SDK](https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/agents-sdk)