Workflow
Workflow
Also called: 工作流
A predefined sequence of steps. Anthropic separates "workflows" (fixed code path, LLM works within nodes) from "agents" (the LLM directs its own process).
Workflow vs agent
- Workflow: the process is orchestrated by code; the LLM does local work at preset nodes (classify, extract, rewrite). Predictable, testable, cost-bounded.
- Agent: the LLM decides what to do next, which tool to use, when to stop. Flexible, but harder to predict and debug.
Anthropic's advice: if a workflow solves it, don't reach for an agent; use agent autonomy only when the steps and branches cannot be enumerated in advance.
Common workflow patterns
Prompt chaining, routing, parallelization, orchestrator-workers, evaluator-optimizer. Each keeps a deterministic skeleton and calls the LLM only where needed. A workflow can also embed human approval points.
Common misconceptions
- A workflow is not a "lesser" option — for most production cases it fits better than a fully autonomous agent.
- Using an LLM inside a workflow does not make it an agent; the difference is *who decides the process*.
Related terms
Sources
Compiled 2026-08-29 · This glossary is compiled from public papers, official specifications, and common industry definitions, and is updated as the field evolves. Corrections welcome.