Building Multi-Agent, Tool-Using Agentic Systems

Overview

Comprehensive architecture patterns for multi-agent systems where AI agents coordinate to accomplish complex tasks using tools. Language-agnostic and applicable across TypeScript, Python, Go, Rust, and other environments.

Discovery Questions (Required)

Before architecting any system, ask these six mandatory questions:

1. Starting Point - Greenfield, adding to existing system, or fixing current implementation?
2. Primary Use Case - Parallel work, sequential pipeline, recursive delegation, peer collaboration, work queues, or other?
3. Scale Expectations - Small (2-5 agents), medium (10-50), or large (100+)?
4. State Requirements - Stateless runs, session-based, or persistent across crashes?
5. Tool Coordination - Independent agents, shared read-only resources, write coordination, or rate-limited APIs?
6. Existing Constraints - Language, framework, performance needs, compliance requirements?

Foundational Architecture