Cianplan

Level 5: AI / LLM systems · L5.5 Agents, tool use & MCP

Workflows vs agents

Choose between a fixed workflow and an autonomous agent.

12 min · Pro

What you take away

  • Use the least autonomy that solves the problem: a single call, then retrieval and tools, then a fixed workflow, and only then an agent.

And 3 more inside the class, in Pro.

How the class is laid out

  1. The problem
  2. The intern with a phone
  3. The ladder, and the rule
  4. The two expensive detours
  5. Check your understanding