10 Multi-Agent Systems
Phase 3 - Systems
Stage 10 of 14. Previous: Stage 9 - Building Agents. Next: Stage 11 - Evaluation and Observability.
Goal
Learn when and how to coordinate multiple agents without adding unnecessary complexity.
Learn
- Supervisor-worker pattern
- Handoffs
- Agents as tools
- Shared state vs message passing
- A2A protocol
- Coordination failure modes
- How to tell when one agent is enough
Start Here
Multi-agent systems are easier to understand if you think of them like a small workplace. Instead of one person doing everything, different specialists collaborate around one larger goal.
| Concept | Simple Meaning | Workplace Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Supervisor-worker pattern | One main agent manages specialist agents | A manager assigns work to a team |
| Handoffs | One agent transfers control to another | Front desk transfers a call to billing |
| Agents as tools | One agent calls another agent for a result | A writer asks a researcher for notes |
| Shared state vs message passing | Agents share information through a common place or direct messages | Shared document vs email chain |
Beginner rule:
Do not add multiple agents just because you can.
Add multiple agents when roles, ownership, or information flow become easier to control.
Build
Build a small agent team with a planner, researcher, writer, and reviewer. Measure whether the team improves results compared with one agent.
Exit Criteria
- You can explain MCP as agent-to-tool communication and A2A as agent-to-agent communication.
- You can identify when a multi-agent system is unnecessary.
- You can design handoffs with clear responsibilities.
- You can distinguish supervisor-worker, handoffs, and agents-as-tools.
- You can choose between shared state and message passing for a simple workflow.
Checkpoint
Use the Stage 10 checkpoint before moving on.