[harliquinnz]

I've been reading the rules but can't find information on how to custom make Agent programs.
They run a Pilot program and that other Programs run off of it...

How many? Whats the cost?

[AJBuwalda]

I've been reading the rules but can't find information on how to custom make Agent programs.
They run a Pilot program and that other Programs run off of it...

How many? Whats the cost?

Buying an agent (pg. 228):
Cost up to level 3 - Rating x Y1.000
Cost up to level 6 - Rating x Y2.500

Coding one yourself (pg.240):
Threshold is the programs rating x 3 with 3 month intervals

[Chaemera]

For limitations on programs running off the agent, take a gander at the "Payload" section, page 234.

You can technically load an infinite number of progs on your Agent, but each program the agent is using counts against the program limit of the node the agent is running on.

[Kontact]

Also, you should check p110 of Unwired.
If you're going to mess about with Agents, it's a good idea to get a grip on how they operate.

[Wraith235]

also look at the program option "Erganomic" does wonders for Agent payload and processor limit

[Tagz]

Keep in mind that using an Agent to do your hacking isn't something you can do out of the box.  You have to make sure your agent is CAPABLE of hacking in the first place.

Unwired, p 101 To Mook Or Not To Mook?
(skipping to relevant paragraph)
...
Note that commercially bought legal agents have built-in limitations that prevent them from taking any illegal action - broadly, this means they won't perform any action that requires a Test involving any skill in the Cracking Skill Group, even if they have the correct program loaded, though gamemasters may rule this is a much broader restriction on any blatantly illegal Matrix activity.  Hackers can remove these limitations with an Extended Software + Logic (13 + Rating, 1 hour) Test, code agents without them, or buy unrestricted agents from other hackers.
...

Can always code one yourself but that can be pretty time consuming. Buying is much faster but just remember that if you buy you have to either remove the restrictions yourself or buy one from a Hacker who didn't put those restrictions on in the first place (most GMs would figure that makes them harder to find and more expensive to buy I would imagine.  I can't imagine a whole ton of good hackers just throwing around the code they worked so hard on for peanuts).

[Bradd]

People give away hard-earned software all the time! Sometimes it's open source, sometimes it's pirated.

[Tagz]

I'm not saying people don't do it now in the real world or even the SR world, I'm saying it's less likely in the Shadowrun World.

Yes you can get Open Source or Pirated Software but then we're talking Program Degradation as per the rules on Open Source (Unwired p 110) and Pirated Software (Unwired p108), and other negatives such as lack, restriction, and/or limit to options and ratings.  Keeping software patched up can be an expensive and/or time consuming proposition.  It can easily eat up a huge percent of a Hacker character's downtime, time that could otherwise be invested in skill development, etc.

Also, hosting Open Source programs that are illegal (most hacking programs) can be a problem.  In our world it's not that big a deal if the country of the host has lax laws, but in SR G-O-D has jurisdiction just about everywhere (all places that recognize the Corporate Court if I recall correctly... that's a LOT of places).  There will be those who like to snub their noses at them of course, but they better stay under the radar if they know what's good for them.

A personalized program/agent/etc with few existing copies shouldn't (though some GMs may disagree) degrade too quickly or at all given that security measures are only encountering it rarely, thus fewer updates to counter their effectiveness (speaking about hacking programs mostly), so patching to stay current would be far less necessary.

Just my two nuyen.