A clear goal and context
The agent receives the objective, relevant product knowledge, code conventions, and an explicit definition of done.
Agentic Development Workflow
A guided process where AI can plan and execute multi-step development tasks with tools, while people retain direction, review, and authority.
In plain language
In an agentic workflow, AI does more than answer a prompt. Within a defined task, it can inspect context, choose useful steps, use approved tools, and revise its work. People still set the goal, define the boundaries, and decide what is accepted or released.
The value comes from combining capable automation with clear instructions, reliable tools, verification, and human judgment. More autonomy is not automatically better; the right level depends on the task, risk, and reversibility of the action.
The foundation
What matters in Agentic workflow
Tools with guardrails
Permissions, tests, validation, and escalation rules limit what the workflow can change and expose failures early.
Human authority
People retain control over ambiguous product choices, sensitive actions, external communication, and release decisions.
Applied by The Forge
How we put it into practice
We use agents to accelerate bounded production work while keeping decisions, evidence, and review visible to the people responsible for the result.
Frame a bounded task
We turn a broad request into a concrete outcome with constraints, evidence, and acceptance criteria.
Provide the working context
Project patterns, design rules, domain language, and approved tools give the agent a dependable operating environment.
Work in reviewable increments
Small changes, visible progress, and targeted checks make feedback concrete before mistakes compound.
Verify before release
Automated checks and human review confirm behaviour, quality, accessibility, and product intent before publication.
A useful boundary
What it is not
- It is not a chatbot producing unchecked code from a single prompt.
- It does not remove accountability from the people directing and approving the work.
- It is not equally appropriate for every high-risk, irreversible, or poorly defined action.
A concrete example
Building a new website section
An agent inspects the existing components and conventions, proposes a small implementation plan, edits the relevant files, and runs focused checks. A person reviews the content, visual intent, and final change before it is released.
Further reading
Primary sources
These explanations are grounded in standards, primary research, and current platform guidance. The field will continue to evolve.
Related concept
Maintainability: Maintainable Software
Software structured so people can understand, test, correct, and extend it without turning every change into a risky rebuild.