How-to · SEL · SEL.4

Name the agent pattern — most are not full autonomy

“Agent” is not one product: name the pattern (assistant, tool-caller, watcher, etc.) so risk and cost match the job.

List 3 tools you use that call themselves an 'agent.' For each one, describe the real pattern in 6 words or less (something like 'chat + web search + human send'). You're done when you've circled the one that claims more autonomy than you actually want.

Worked example

Before you flip on anything labeled 'agent,' figure out the actual pattern you need. Most 'agents' are really just chat plus tools plus a human gate — full autonomy is rare at work and should be a deliberate choice, not a default. Pick the smallest pattern that gets the job done; you still own send and deploy.

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