In plain English
A workflow follows steps you wrote. An agent picks its own steps. Start with a workflow. Five patterns cover most designs: chain, router, parallel, orchestrator with workers, and write with review. Use the simplest one that passes your test, and limit every loop.
- Workflow
- Fixed steps written in advance.
- Router
- A step that sends a request down the right path.
- Orchestrator
- A model that plans and hands pieces to helpers.
Picture it
Five patterns for AI systems
Your system
Start simple
Chain
Steps in a fixed order
Router
Send each request the right way