Your move
Choose the simplest durable pattern
Choose the least autonomous pattern that can complete the defined job.
Choose the least autonomous pattern that can complete the real job. A prompt handles one bounded transformation; a workflow handles known stages; an agent earns a place only where the route must adapt inside a controlled boundary.
Do this now
Three moves, in order.
- Write the job, inputs, decisions, allowed actions, and stop conditions.
- Test whether one prompt or a fixed sequence can complete it before adding autonomous choice.
- If an agent is still needed, bound its tools, budget, evidence, and human gates.
Build the artifact
Architecture decision
Copy these fields into a note, document, or sheet you already use.
Job
The user outcome
Known stages
Steps that do not need adaptive choice
Adaptive decision
What genuinely changes the route
Allowed actions
Tools and boundaries
Stop
Budget, failed check, uncertainty, or human gate
Give AI the bounded job
Prompt from your artifact—not from vibes.
Recommend prompt, workflow, or agent from this job definition. Prefer the least autonomous option that meets it. Explain the one capability that requires each added layer and name the stop conditions.
Before you use it
The work leaves your hands only when:
- Every layer exists for a named requirement.
- The design has observable stop conditions.
- External or irreversible actions have appropriate approval.