Real Agent Workflows

Introduction

Production agents typically fit one of a handful of workflow patterns: ReAct, Plan-Execute, Router, Reflection, Multi-Agent. Knowing them lets you pick the right one in 60 seconds.

Beginner analogy: like recipes — pasta, stir-fry, soup — there are a few that cover 90% of meals.

Understanding the topic

Core concepts:

• ReAct: thought→action→observation loop.
• Plan-Execute: plan once, run steps, possibly replan.
• Router: classify intent → call specialist agent.
• Reflection: do → critique → redo.
• Multi-agent: supervisor + specialists.

Syntax reference

Visual workflow / architecture:

User input
     │
     ▼
   Router ──► Coding agent
            ─► Research agent
            ─► Support agent
            (each may use ReAct + Reflection inside)

Real-world use

Cursor uses ReAct + reflection; Devin uses Plan-Execute + multi-agent; customer-support bots use Router + ReAct.

Best practices

• Start simple: ReAct + one tool.
• Graduate to Router only when workloads diverge.

Common mistakes

• Reaching for multi-agent before mastering single-agent.

Hands-on exercise

Interview preparation — practice these questions:

• Q1. Five common agent workflow patterns.
• Q2. When choose Router over ReAct?
• Q3. Scenario: which pattern fits a customer support inbox?