GlossaryHow an agentic system works

Fixed workflow

The same steps in the same order every time, with a model only at the steps that need reading or scoring.

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How an agentic system works

A fixed workflow runs the same steps in the same order on every case, with a model only at the steps that need reading or scoring, and code everywhere else.

When it is the right shape

When the steps are known in advance and do not depend on what the case contains. It is the simplest pattern to test, explain, and audit, and it is the first one to try: an agent loop earns its place only when a fixed sequence cannot do the work.

What it looks like

An inspection line is a clear example: capture the image, score it with a model trained on good parts, describe what was found, and draft the nonconformance report for a person. The visual inspection use case runs in this shape.

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https://eqlx.ai/glossary/fixed-workflow · Printed copy; the website is the current version.