Visual workflow graph
- Use when
- The business process is known and repeatable.
- Risk
- Overfitting the graph before real users test it.
- Recommended output
- Use templates, branches, cost limits, and execution logs.
Decision guide
Multi-agent mesh or workflow graph?
A mesh is useful when agents truly need to coordinate. Many production teams are better served by a visual graph, explicit queues, and human approvals until the work pattern proves stable.
Multi-agent mesh
- Use when
- Specialized agents need to negotiate, delegate, or review each other.
- Risk
- Harder debugging and higher model spend.
- Recommended output
- Add role boundaries, shared state, and review checkpoints.
Queue plus reviewer
- Use when
- Work is sensitive, high value, or externally visible.
- Risk
- Slower throughput if approval rules are too broad.
- Recommended output
- Route drafts to humans before send, spend, export, or delete actions.
Single agent run
- Use when
- The task is short, low risk, and easy to replay.
- Risk
- Hidden escalation if the task grows in scope.
- Recommended output
- Use a small workflow with a clear stop condition.
Budget routing rule
Start with a graph when cost, ownership, and approval paths matter more than open-ended autonomy. Move to mesh patterns only when specialized agents repeatedly need to exchange state or review one another.