AGENT FRAMEWORKS
LangGraphLangChainAutoGenCrewAIOpenAI Agents SDKGoogle ADKSemantic Kernel
Build and orchestrate agent behavior in code.
16 · Agent Frameworks & AI Automation
How AI Workflows Are Orchestrated
This module separates developer frameworks for building agent systems from workflow platforms used to connect AI with applications, triggers, and business processes.
Understand the difference between an agent framework and an automation platform.
The Big Picture · two-column orchestration landscape
WORKFLOW / AUTOMATION PLATFORMS
n8nDifyFlowiseCozeZapierMake
Connect workflows, apps, triggers, AI steps, and automation.
Both can help orchestrate AI workflows, but they operate at different abstraction levels.
Ecosystem Stack
MODEL · GPT · Claude · Qwen · etc.
RUNTIME / API
AGENT FRAMEWORK
APPLICATION / AGENT
WORKFLOW / AUTOMATION
BUSINESS SYSTEMS · CRM · Email · Database · ERP · Browser
Not every AI system needs every layer.
Key Distinctions
Agent Framework≠Coding Agent
Workflow Platform≠Agent Framework
Automation≠Autonomous Agent
Model≠Runtime ≠ Agent Product ≠ Framework ≠ Workflow Platform
How to Choose a Layer
Build agent logic in code
→ Agent framework
Connect apps and triggers visually
→ Workflow platform
Run a model
→ Runtime / API
Use AI directly
→ Agent / product layer
Module Takeaway
Agent frameworks help developers build agent logic, while workflow platforms help connect AI steps to applications and business processes.