This section introduces the foundational concepts behind agentic AI systems. Before diving into specific design patterns, it is worth building a shared vocabulary around what agents are, how they differ from simpler LLM applications, and when the added complexity of agentic architectures is actually justified.
The material here draws heavily on Anthropic’s research into building effective agents. The core message is one of pragmatism: start with the simplest solution that works, measure its performance, and only introduce agentic complexity when you have clear evidence that simpler approaches fall short.