Define an agent as a model using tools in a loop
The core primitive is a model that autonomously calls tools until the task is done. Everything else is workflow.
WHY IT HOLDS
A minimal definition stops you over-claiming. Most systems described as agents are mostly deterministic code with model calls at a few key points, and naming that honestly makes them easier to reason about.
WHAT IT PREVENTS
Building needless autonomy where a workflow would do.
ADOPTED BY
1 organisationAnthropic
SOURCES
START HEREBuilding effective agents
RING HISTORY
Aug 2026 — set to Standard
RELATED
DOES THE PRACTICE WORK FOR YOU?
Field reports are not open yet. When they are, you will be able to sign in with GitHub and record whether this practice held on your stack — one report per person, so the counts mean something. Nothing is collected here in the meantime.