---
title: "Agentic Workflow | AgentRQ Glossary"
url: https://agentrq.com/glossary/agentic-workflow
description: "An agentic workflow is a structured process where an AI agent autonomously executes a series of steps — using tools, making decisions, and adapting — to complete a complex task from start to finish."
---

[Back to Glossary](https://agentrq.com/glossary/)

# Agentic Workflow

An **agentic workflow** is a structured process in which an AI [agent](https://agentrq.com/glossary/agent) autonomously plans and executes a series of steps to complete a complex task. Rather than relying on a human to direct every action, the agent decides its own path through the work — using tools, evaluating results, and adapting as needed.

## Components of an Agentic Workflow

A typical agentic workflow consists of:

- → **Task definition** — A goal or instruction provided to the agent (e.g., "add authentication to this API")
- → **Planning** — The agent breaks the goal into sub-tasks
- → **Tool execution** — The agent calls tools such as code editors, shells, APIs, or search
- → **Observation** — The agent reviews results and adjusts its plan
- → **Completion or escalation** — The agent signals done, or asks a human for guidance

## Why Agentic Workflows Need Human Oversight

Agents can make mistakes — misunderstand requirements, take irreversible actions, or get stuck in loops. **[Human-in-the-loop](https://agentrq.com/glossary/human-in-the-loop)** checkpoints prevent small errors from cascading into large problems. With [AgentRQ](https://agentrq.com/), you can define exactly when the agent should pause and wait for your approval before proceeding.

## Single-Agent vs. Multi-Agent Workflows

| Pattern | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Single agent | One agent handles the entire workflow end-to-end |
| Multi-agent | Multiple specialized agents collaborate, passing results to each other |
| Supervisor pattern | An orchestrator agent delegates tasks to sub-agents |

## Agentic Workflows with Claude Code

[Claude Code](https://agentrq.com/glossary/claude-code) is purpose-built for agentic coding workflows. It can autonomously read codebases, write tests, fix bugs, and open pull requests — while integrating with AgentRQ to notify you at critical decision points via [MCP](https://agentrq.com/glossary/mcp).

## Autonomous Agents vs. Agentic Workflows

An agentic workflow and an autonomous agent answer different questions. Whether the steps are fixed in code or chosen by the model is the workflow vs. agent question; whether a human approves those steps is the autonomy question. See [autonomous agents vs. agentic workflows](https://agentrq.com/blog/autonomous-agents-vs-agentic-workflows-the-real-difference) for the full comparison, and [autonomous workflow](https://agentrq.com/glossary/autonomous-workflow) for the term itself.

## Related Terms

- → [Agent](https://agentrq.com/glossary/agent)
- → [Autonomous Agent](https://agentrq.com/glossary/autonomous-agent)
- → [Human-in-the-Loop](https://agentrq.com/glossary/human-in-the-loop)
- → [Task](https://agentrq.com/glossary/task)
- → [Workflow](https://agentrq.com/glossary/workflow)
- → [Autonomous Workflow](https://agentrq.com/glossary/autonomous-workflow)