1.5 Agents
Time: ~25 minutes
What You'll Learn
- What agents are and when to use them
- Process many files in parallel
- Cross-reference multiple data sources
- Uncover insights that only emerge when you see the big picture
Key Concepts
What Are Agents?
Agents are like cloning Claude. You can spin up multiple instances that work simultaneously on different tasks, then combine their findings.
When to Use Agents
Use agents when:
- You have many similar files to process
- Tasks can run independently (don't depend on each other)
- You want different perspectives on the same thing
Don't use agents when:
- You have one complex task needing deep focus
- Work is sequential (each step depends on the previous)
The Mental Model
If you could hand the same instructions to 10 interns and have them each work independently, agents are perfect.
In Your Scenario
This is where everything clicks. You'll use agents to:
- Analyze many files simultaneously (campaigns, feedback, data)
- Cross-reference competitors, customer sentiment, and internal notes
- Discover the core insight — the real reason things aren't working
When the agents report back, you'll see patterns you couldn't have found manually. This is the power move.
Real-World Applications
- Analyze 20 job postings at once
- Research 5 vendors in parallel
- Process a year of meeting notes simultaneously
- Compare multiple proposals side by side
How to Start
start lesson 1.5