Quick definition
A planning agent creates a multi-step plan before acting.
- Category: Agents
- Focus: automation and task completion
- Used in: Automating multi-step tasks that span tools or apps.
What it means
It helps with complex tasks. In agents workflows, planning agent often shapes automation and task completion.
How it works
Agents typically run a loop of planning, tool use, and evaluation. Each step updates state so the system can decide what to do next.
Why it matters
Agents help automate multi-step work by combining reasoning, tools, and memory.
Common use cases
- Automating multi-step tasks that span tools or apps.
- Coordinating search, retrieval, and execution to reach a goal.
- Running background workflows with human-in-the-loop checkpoints.
Example
Plan a migration in phases.
Pitfalls and tips
Agents can drift if goals are vague or tool permissions are too broad. Clear success criteria and guardrails keep them reliable.
In BoltAI
In BoltAI, this shows up when you enable tools, agents, or automation features.