Agents

Task decomposition

Task decomposition splits a goal into smaller steps.

Quick definition

Task decomposition splits a goal into smaller steps.

  • Category: Agents
  • Focus: automation and task completion
  • Used in: Automating multi-step tasks that span tools or apps.

What it means

It makes complex work manageable. In agents workflows, task decomposition 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

Break a refactor into subtasks.

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.