agentic-patterns

Agentic AI Pattern Builder

Build agentic AI systems using proven design patterns. Guides you from pattern selection through component design to working implementation using Claude Code's Agent tool.

When to Use

• Building a new multi-agent system and need the right pattern
• Implementing an agent orchestration workflow
• User says "build an agent that..." or "create a pipeline that..."
• Refactoring an ad-hoc agent system into a recognized pattern
• Comparing patterns for a specific use case

When NOT to Use

• You already have a working agent and just need to tweak it
• Building a single non-agent skill (use skill-creator:skill-creator)
• Composing existing skills into an agent (use agent-factory)

Pattern Catalog

digraph patterns {
    rankdir=TB;
    node [shape=box];

    subgraph cluster_single {
        label="Single Agent";
        "single-agent" [label="Single Agent\n─────────\nOne model + tools\nSimplest pattern"];
    }

    subgraph cluster_multi {
        label="Multi-Agent Patterns";
        style=dashed;

        subgraph cluster_flow {
            label="Flow Control";
            "sequential" [label="Sequential\n─────────\nLinear pipeline\nA → B → C"];
            "parallel" [label="Parallel\n─────────\nConcurrent fan-out\nA + B + C → merge"];
            "loop" [label="Loop\n─────────\nRepeat until\nexit condition"];
        }

        subgraph cluster_quality {
            label="Quality Patterns";
            "review-critique" [label="Review & Critique\n─────────\nGenerator → Critic\nApprove/reject cycle"];
            "iterative-refinement" [label="Iterative Refinement\n─────────\nProgressive improvement\nover multiple cycles"];
        }

        subgraph cluster_orchestration {
            label="Orchestration";
            "coordinator" [label="Coordinator\n─────────\nAI-driven routing\nto specialists"];
            "hierarchical" [label="Hierarchical\n─────────\nTask decomposition\nthrough layers"];
            "swarm" [label="Swarm\n─────────\nAll-to-all debate\nand convergence"];
        }
    }

    subgraph cluster_reasoning {
        label="Reasoning & Control";
        "react" [label="ReAct\n─────────\nThink → Act → Observe\nloop"];
        "human-in-the-loop" [label="Human-in-the-Loop\n─────────\nCheckpoint pauses\nfor approval"];
        "custom-logic" [label="Custom Logic\n─────────\nCode-driven branching\npattern mixing"];
    }
}

Pattern Selection Guide

Need	Pattern	Why
Simple tool-using agent	Single Agent	One model handles everything
Fixed-order pipeline	Sequential	Predictable, debuggable flow
Independent concurrent tasks	Parallel	Reduce latency via fan-out
Repeat until quality met	Loop	Iterative convergence
Output needs review gate	Review & Critique	Generator + critic separation
Progressive improvement	Iterative Refinement	Multiple drafts toward quality
Dynamic task routing	Coordinator	AI decides which specialist
Complex decomposition	Hierarchical	Multi-level delegation
Debate & convergence	Swarm	Cross-pollination of perspectives
Adaptive reasoning	ReAct	Think-act-observe flexibility
Critical decision points	Human-in-the-Loop	Human oversight at checkpoints
Complex branching logic	Custom Logic	Maximum orchestration flexibility

The Process

digraph builder_flow {
    rankdir=TB;

    "Identify Pattern" [shape=box];
    "Pattern clear?" [shape=diamond];
    "Use Selection Guide" [shape=box];
    "Load Pattern Builder" [shape=box];
    "Validate Inputs" [shape=box];
    "Design Components" [shape=box];
    "Wire Orchestration" [shape=box];
    "Verify" [shape=box];
    "Done" [shape=doublecircle];

    "Identify Pattern" -> "Pattern clear?";
    "Pattern clear?" -> "Load Pattern Builder" [label="yes"];
    "Pattern clear?" -> "Use Selection Guide" [label="no"];
    "Use Selection Guide" -> "Load Pattern Builder";
    "Load Pattern Builder" -> "Validate Inputs";
    "Validate Inputs" -> "Design Components";
    "Design Components" -> "Wire Orchestration";
    "Wire Orchestration" -> "Verify";
    "Verify" -> "Done";
}

Step 1: Identify the Pattern

If the user names a pattern, load its builder file directly. If not, use the Selection Guide table above to recommend one based on their requirements.

Step 2: Load the Pattern Builder

Read the corresponding builder file from this skill's directory:

Pattern	File
Single Agent	single-agent.md
Sequential	sequential.md
Parallel	parallel.md
Loop	loop.md
Review & Critique	review-critique.md
Iterative Refinement	iterative-refinement.md
Coordinator	coordinator.md
Hierarchical	hierarchical.md
Swarm	swarm.md
ReAct	react.md
Human-in-the-Loop	human-in-the-loop.md
Custom Logic	custom-logic.md

Read the file from the same directory as this SKILL.md, then follow its builder instructions.

Step 3: Follow the Builder

Each builder file contains:

1. Architecture diagram — visual structure of the pattern
2. Component table — what to build and each component's role
3. Builder template — step-by-step construction guide
4. Wiring instructions — how to connect components using Claude Code's Agent tool
5. Validation criteria — how to verify the pattern is correctly implemented

Step 4: Verify

Run the smoke test for the pattern to verify the implementation works:

• Invoke smoke-agentic-patterns with the pattern name as argument
• Or manually verify against the builder's validation criteria