AI Coding Agents Guide: A Map of the Four Workflow Types - Real Python
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AI Coding Agents Guide: A Map of the Four Workflow Types - Real Python
"Coding agents are designed for autonomy, operating through a continuous execution loop to solve complex tasks. This loop typically follows four distinct steps: Read, Reason, Act, and Evaluate."
"Unlike simple predictive text or one-off prompts, agents bridge the gap between suggestion and execution by autonomously navigating the development workflow."
"The four workflow types describe interaction modes and don't always map cleanly to product categories. The same tool often spans multiple workflows."
"IDE agents live inside your code editor and work alongside you in real time. They suggest edits inline, show visual differences, and enhance productivity."
AI coding agents operate through a continuous execution loop consisting of four steps: reading relevant files, reasoning logical steps, acting on those steps, and evaluating results. This loop continues until the task is completed. Agents can function in various environments, including editors, terminals, pull requests, and cloud settings, each defining distinct workflows. The four primary agent types are IDE agents, terminal agents, PR agents, and cloud agents, which facilitate different interaction modes and workflows, often overlapping in functionality.
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