Start viewing "agentic" as equivalent to people management

Intro

I recently started employing a new, simple "agentic" workflow, which consists of four things. I am well aware that this is not a new "insight." Others much smarter and faster than me came to the same realization long before me. However, it is still personally valuable to write it down and realize it for myself. Anyway, here are the four things:

• (0) Me
• (1) Gemini CLI: Chief hands and legs of the operation (and arguably brain too)
• (2) A computer: This could be local (e.g., your phone or laptop) or virtual
• (3) A document: What you want to get done. I find it useful to structure the document as follows:
  • (3a) Context and objective(s)
  • (3b) Tools available. Side note on this below.
  • (3c) Steps
  • (3d) Constraints
  • (3e) Output

Side note on (3b) Tools

This area is a hodgepodge of overlapping terms right now but will converge over time. Gemini has tools, extensions, and MCP, and extensions can include MCP (what?!). Claude has plugins. Popular apps like Notion offer MCP. The distinction between MCP and API is also fuzzy. Everyone has skills. I most prefer the term "tool" as a catchall. I expect this to become an App Store-like model, with the model makers providing the foundation model (or "OS") along with some stock tools, and "app makers" making their tools available across all the model families. I expect that these tools will include one or more APIs, documents, datasets, or scripts.

Why is this pattern fascinating?

Because we have followed it for the past two to three decades. I strongly believe that many agentic workflows in the real world will be (and arguably already are) use-case-specific implementations of the above core pattern.

• (0) Me = A human who wants to get something done, often a manager or co-worker.
• (1) Gemini CLI = Another human who will perform the operation, often a hired hand.
• (2) A computer = A computer. Standard issue for many jobs now.
• (3) Document = SOPs, processes, and rituals like "standups," "QBRs," and "retros"—blah blah.

Now what happens when (0) is another Gemini CLI+computer?