State model
Can the framework checkpoint, resume, branch, and replay a workflow?
Architecture Decision Guide
Choose an AI agent framework by architecture, not hype
Framework selection should follow the operating model of the agent: how state is persisted, how work is scheduled, how tools are secured, and how failures are recovered.
Answer in brief
Choose the framework that makes state transitions explicit, supports durable execution, exposes complete traces, and lets you replace models and tools without rewriting the workflow. Prototype convenience matters less than operational control.
Decision dimensions
Use these dimensions to make the architecture decision explicit and testable.
Control flow
Can you mix deterministic steps with model decisions and human approvals?
Tool contracts
Are parameters typed, validated, permissioned, and observable?
Deployment
Can workers scale independently and survive process restarts?
Portability
How tightly are prompts, state, and tool code coupled to proprietary abstractions?
Single-agent vs multi-agent
Use these dimensions to make the architecture decision explicit and testable.
Single agent
Start here. One orchestrator with well-defined tools is easier to evaluate and secure.
Specialist workers
Add workers when tasks require distinct context, permissions, or evaluation criteria.
Multi-agent debate
Use only when independent perspectives improve measurable outcomes. It otherwise increases coordination cost.
Proof-of-concept scorecard
Use these dimensions to make the architecture decision explicit and testable.
Reliability
Resume after failure and produce the same result when inputs are fixed.
Observability
Trace prompts, model outputs, tool calls, state changes, cost, and approvals.
Security
Enforce least privilege and prevent untrusted content from selecting arbitrary tools.
Maintainability
Version graphs, prompts, schemas, and policies independently.
Production checklist
Use this as a design-review gate before release.
- Model the workflow before choosing a framework.
- Test restart and replay behavior.
- Validate every tool input.
- Export traces to your observability stack.
- Keep business state outside the conversation.
- Run the same evaluation set across finalists.
Continue learning
Place this pattern inside a broader agent architecture and operating model.
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