diff --git a/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/application/_worker_runtime_host_servicer.py b/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/application/_worker_runtime_host_servicer.py
index 5cd2bf8ea9b8..7c597bd07a8f 100644
--- a/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/application/_worker_runtime_host_servicer.py
+++ b/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/application/_worker_runtime_host_servicer.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from asyncio import Future, Task
 from typing import Any, Dict, Set
 
-from autogen_core.components._type_prefix_subscription import TypePrefixSubscription
+from autogen_core.base._type_prefix_subscription import TypePrefixSubscription
 
 from ..base import Subscription, TopicId
 from ..components import TypeSubscription
diff --git a/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/base/_base_agent.py b/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/base/_base_agent.py
index 5d8e94225b3a..70481705ca6e 100644
--- a/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/base/_base_agent.py
+++ b/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/base/_base_agent.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 from ._subscription import Subscription, UnboundSubscription
 from ._subscription_context import SubscriptionInstantiationContext
 from ._topic import TopicId
+from ._type_prefix_subscription import TypePrefixSubscription
 
 T = TypeVar("T", bound=Agent)
 
@@ -149,6 +150,7 @@ async def register(
         factory: Callable[[], Self | Awaitable[Self]],
         *,
         skip_class_subscriptions: bool = False,
+        skip_direct_message_subscription: bool = False,
     ) -> AgentType:
         agent_type = AgentType(type)
         agent_type = await runtime.register_factory(type=agent_type, agent_factory=factory, expected_class=cls)
@@ -166,6 +168,16 @@ async def register(
             for subscription in subscriptions:
                 await runtime.add_subscription(subscription)
 
+        if not skip_direct_message_subscription:
+            # Additionally adds a special prefix subscription for this agent to receive direct messages
+            await runtime.add_subscription(
+                TypePrefixSubscription(
+                    # The prefix MUST include ":" to avoid collisions with other agents
+                    topic_type_prefix=agent_type.type + ":",
+                    agent_type=agent_type.type,
+                )
+            )
+
         # TODO: deduplication
         for _message_type, serializer in cls._handles_types():
             runtime.add_message_serializer(serializer)
diff --git a/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/components/_type_prefix_subscription.py b/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/base/_type_prefix_subscription.py
similarity index 93%
rename from python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/components/_type_prefix_subscription.py
rename to python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/base/_type_prefix_subscription.py
index d71b587d1418..f00119165090 100644
--- a/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/components/_type_prefix_subscription.py
+++ b/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/base/_type_prefix_subscription.py
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 import uuid
 
-from ..base import AgentId, Subscription, TopicId
-from ..base.exceptions import CantHandleException
+from ._agent_id import AgentId
+from ._subscription import Subscription
+from ._topic import TopicId
+from .exceptions import CantHandleException
 
 
 class TypePrefixSubscription(Subscription):
diff --git a/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/components/__init__.py b/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/components/__init__.py
index 4c4d02f3be25..75bb5eabcbe8 100644
--- a/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/components/__init__.py
+++ b/python/packages/autogen-core/src/autogen_core/components/__init__.py
@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@
 The :mod:`autogen_core.components` module provides building blocks for creating single agents
 """
 
+from ..base._type_prefix_subscription import TypePrefixSubscription
 from ._closure_agent import ClosureAgent
 from ._default_subscription import DefaultSubscription, default_subscription, type_subscription
 from ._default_topic import DefaultTopicId
 from ._image import Image
 from ._routed_agent import RoutedAgent, TypeRoutedAgent, event, message_handler, rpc
-from ._type_prefix_subscription import TypePrefixSubscription
 from ._type_subscription import TypeSubscription
 from ._types import FunctionCall
 
diff --git a/python/packages/autogen-core/tests/test_worker_runtime.py b/python/packages/autogen-core/tests/test_worker_runtime.py
index d58233c3ac82..26c95dc01860 100644
--- a/python/packages/autogen-core/tests/test_worker_runtime.py
+++ b/python/packages/autogen-core/tests/test_worker_runtime.py
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ async def get_subscribed_recipients() -> List[AgentId]:
         )
 
         subscriptions1 = get_current_subscriptions()
-        assert len(subscriptions1) == 1
+        assert len(subscriptions1) == 2
         recipients1 = await get_subscribed_recipients()
         assert AgentId(type="worker1", key="default") in recipients1
 
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ async def get_subscribed_recipients() -> List[AgentId]:
         )
 
         subscriptions3 = get_current_subscriptions()
-        assert len(subscriptions3) == 1
+        assert len(subscriptions3) == 2
         assert first_subscription_id not in [x.id for x in subscriptions3]
 
         recipients3 = await get_subscribed_recipients()