diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 78449f4..50d7dc2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -45,10 +45,10 @@ Python-based Telnet helper for connecting to MUD servers, handling login flows,
 6. To run an agent that orchestrates several tools, use:
 
    ```text
-   #agent move,explore
+   #agent fixed move,explore
    ```
 
-   This example uses the fixed-strategy agent to run `move` and then `explore` once.
+   This example uses the fixed strategy agent to run `move` and then `explore` once. The first token after `#agent` selects the agent type (`fixed` today, more to come), and any remaining text is passed as that agent's configuration.
 
 ## Environment Variables
 
diff --git a/agents.py b/agents.py
index 6b8a1ff..0734819 100644
--- a/agents.py
+++ b/agents.py
@@ -44,13 +44,9 @@ def build_agent(spec: str) -> Agent:
     if not normalized:
         raise RuntimeError("Agent specification must not be empty")
 
-    if ":" in normalized:
-        kind, config = normalized.split(":", 1)
-    else:
-        kind, config = "fixed", normalized
-
-    kind = kind.strip().lower()
-    config = config.strip()
+    parts = normalized.split(maxsplit=1)
+    kind = parts[0].lower()
+    config = parts[1].strip() if len(parts) > 1 else ""
 
     if kind in {"fixed", "strategy", "fixedstrategy"}:
         return FixedStrategyAgent(config)