When NOT to Use an Agent
Agents are powerful but not universal. Walk the decision tree to find the right automation tier, then study ten anti-patterns that waste time and erode trust.
Agent Decision Tree
Answer six questions about your workflow. The tree will recommend the right automation tier — from simple scripts up to full agentic systems.
Anti-Pattern Gallery
Ten common mistakes where agents add cost without delivering value. Click any card to learn why it fails and what to do instead.
Spot the Anti-Pattern
Key Insight
The most valuable skill in agent engineering is knowing when NOT to build an agent. A well-placed script, a refined prompt, or even a simple checklist can outperform a poorly scoped agent every time. Restraint is a feature, not a limitation. Match the tool to the problem, not the other way round.