reasoning-patterns

Reasoning Patterns

Every Promptise agent is powered by a Reasoning Graph. By default, build_agent() creates a ReAct graph (single node with tools) — and that default is smart by default: it manages context automatically (context_scope="auto"), so simple tasks are unchanged and deep tool loops stay token-efficient without you choosing anything.

!!! tip "Which one do I need? (most people: none)" - Just call build_agent(model, servers) — the default handles context and tools well for the overwhelming majority of agents. - Computing over data (sums, averages, multi-hop joins)? → code-action — write one program instead of chaining tool calls. - Want a cheap self-check on a weak/cheap model? → verify. - Need a specific multi-stage shape (debate, research pipeline, deep deliberation)? → the structured patterns below, or build your own graph.

The rest are specialized. Don't reach for a multi-stage pattern expecting more accuracy — on capable models they mostly add latency and tokens; the default plus `code-action` is the efficient path.

You can replace the default with any of the 10 built-in patterns, or build your own.

graph TD
    BA[build_agent] -->|'react'| R1[ReAct]
    BA -->|'verify'| R9[Verify]
    BA -->|'managed'| R10[Managed]
    BA -->|'code-action'| R11[Code-Action]
    BA -->|'peoatr'| R2[PEOATR]
    BA -->|'research'| R3[Research]
    BA -->|'autonomous'| R4[Autonomous]
    BA -->|'deliberate'| R5[Deliberate]
    BA -->|'debate'| R6[Debate]
    BA -->|'pipeline'| R7[Pipeline]
    BA -->|PromptGraph| R8[Custom]

    subgraph Agent Wrapper
        M[Memory] --- G[Guardrails] --- C[Cache]
        G --- O[Observability] --- E[Events]
    end

    R1 --> Agent Wrapper
    R4 --> Agent Wrapper
    R8 --> Agent Wrapper

    style BA fill:#1e3a5f,stroke:#60a5fa,color:#fff
    style R1 fill:#1a2e1a,stroke:#4ade80,color:#fff
    style R9 fill:#1a2e1a,stroke:#4ade80,color:#fff
    style R10 fill:#1a2e1a,stroke:#4ade80,color:#fff
    style R11 fill:#1a2e1a,stroke:#4ade80,color:#fff
    style R2 fill:#2d1b4e,stroke:#c084fc,color:#fff
    style R3 fill:#3a2a0a,stroke:#fbbf24,color:#fff
    style R4 fill:#3a1a1a,stroke:#f87171,color:#fff
    style R5 fill:#2d1b4e,stroke:#c084fc,color:#fff
    style R6 fill:#3a1a1a,stroke:#f87171,color:#fff
    style R7 fill:#1a2e1a,stroke:#4ade80,color:#fff
    style R8 fill:#3a2a0a,stroke:#fbbf24,color:#fff

The Reasoning Graph replaces only the inner loop. All other features (memory, guardrails, cache, observability, events, approval, streaming) stay the same regardless of pattern.