diff --git a/src/NUnit.Engine.Api/ITestAgentProvider.cs b/src/NUnit.Engine.Api/ITestAgentProvider.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..490d3f6
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+++ b/src/NUnit.Engine.Api/ITestAgentProvider.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+// Copyright (c) Charlie Poole, Rob Prouse and Contributors. MIT License - see LICENSE.txt
+
+using System;
+
+namespace NUnit.Engine.Services
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// An object implementing ITestAgentProvider is able to provide
+    /// test agents, which satisfy the criteria specified in a TestPackage.
+    /// The engine loads implementations through /NUnit/Engine/AgentProviders.
+    /// Capability queries do not acquire execution ownership. An acquired agent
+    /// remains associated with its provider until ReleaseAgent succeeds.
+    /// </summary>
+    public interface ITestAgentProvider : ITestAgentInfo
+    {
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Returns true if an agent can be found, which is suitable
+        /// for running the provided test package.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="package">A TestPackage</param>
+        /// <returns>True if the provider can supply a compatible agent.</returns>
+        /// <remarks>Capability queries must not acquire execution ownership.</remarks>
+        bool IsAgentAvailable(TestPackage package);
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Return an agent, which best matches the criteria defined
+        /// in a TestPackage.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="package">The test package to be run</param>
+        /// <returns>An ITestAgent</returns>
+        /// <exception cref="ArgumentException">If the package is invalid.</exception>
+        /// <exception cref="InvalidOperationException">If no compatible agent is available.</exception>
+        ITestAgent GetAgent(TestPackage package);
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Releases the test agent back to the supplier, which provided it.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="agent">An agent previously provided by a call to GetAgent.</param>
+        /// <exception cref="InvalidOperationException">
+        /// If agent was never provided by the factory or was previously released.
+        /// </exception>
+        /// <remarks>
+        /// Return the agent through the same provider which acquired it so that
+        /// ownership bookkeeping remains consistent. A stop request, a closed
+        /// connection or disposal of a runner is not confirmation of release.
+        /// If release fails, retain ownership until the provider can reconcile it.
+        /// The provider defines how it stops its agent. Successful release alone
+        /// does not prove that external deployment files can be deleted safely;
+        /// remote providers must confirm execution has stopped before allowing cleanup.
+        /// </remarks>
+        void ReleaseAgent(ITestAgent agent);
+    }
+}