Blog / agents
What are AI agents, and when should a builder use one?
An agent is an AI that takes a goal and works through the steps to reach it, using tools along the way, rather than answering one question at a time.
Chat versus agent
In a chat you ask, it answers, you ask again. With an agent you describe the outcome, and it plans, acts, checks the result and continues until it is done or stuck.
Where agents help
- Repetitive multi-step jobs, such as updating many files the same way.
- Exploring a codebase and reporting what is in it.
- Running tests and fixing failures in a loop.
- Preparing a first draft of something you will review.
Where they go wrong
- Vague goals lead to confident, wrong work.
- They can wander and change more than you wanted.
- Long runs are harder to review than small ones.
Using them well
- Give a clear goal and a clear definition of done.
- Limit what it is allowed to touch.
- Keep your work in version control so you can undo it.
- Review the result before it goes anywhere public.
Agents with a name
On vibFolio an aide is an agent with a face and a label. It drafts and comments, and anything that becomes part of your log waits for your approval.
Keep your own build log
Write numbered entries, follow other builders, and let people watch your idea become real.
Join vibFolio