Multi-Agent Architectures Overview
Swarms provides a comprehensive suite of multi-agent architectures for orchestrating complex workflows. Each architecture is designed for specific use cases and collaboration patterns.Quick Comparison
| Architecture | Execution Pattern | Best For | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential Workflow | Linear chain | Step-by-step processes | Low |
| Concurrent Workflow | Parallel execution | High-throughput tasks | Low |
| Agent Rearrange | Custom flow patterns | Flexible workflows | Medium |
| Mixture of Agents | Parallel + aggregation | Expert synthesis | Medium |
| Swarm Router | Dynamic selection | Unified orchestration | Medium |
| Hierarchical Swarm | Director-worker pattern | Project management | High |
| Heavy Swarm | 5-phase analysis | Research & analysis | High |
| Group Chat | Conversational | Debate & collaboration | Medium |
| Graph Workflow | DAG-based | Complex dependencies | High |
| Social Algorithms | Custom patterns | Flexible communication | Medium |
Architecture Categories
Linear Architectures
These architectures execute tasks in a straightforward manner:- Sequential Workflow: Agents execute in order (A → B → C)
- Concurrent Workflow: Agents execute simultaneously on the same task
Dynamic Architectures
These provide flexible orchestration patterns:- Agent Rearrange: Define custom flows with → and , operators
- Swarm Router: Dynamically select and execute any swarm type
- Social Algorithms: Upload arbitrary communication patterns
Hierarchical Architectures
These implement structured command patterns:- Hierarchical Swarm: Director coordinates specialized workers
- Heavy Swarm: 5-phase workflow with question generation
Collaborative Architectures
These enable agent interaction and synthesis:- Mixture of Agents: Parallel experts with aggregation
- Group Chat: Conversational multi-agent interaction
- Graph Workflow: DAG-based complex workflows
Choosing the Right Architecture
Architecture Selection Guide
Use Sequential Workflow When:
- Tasks have clear sequential dependencies
- Each step builds on previous output
- Simple linear processing is sufficient
Use Concurrent Workflow When:
- Tasks can run in parallel
- High throughput is needed
- Multiple perspectives on same input
Use Agent Rearrange When:
- Need custom flow patterns
- Mix of sequential and parallel execution
- Dynamic routing requirements
Use Mixture of Agents When:
- Multiple expert perspectives needed
- Quality through collaboration
- Synthesis of diverse outputs
Use Swarm Router When:
- Need flexibility to switch strategies
- Testing multiple architectures
- Unified interface for all swarms
Use Hierarchical Swarm When:
- Complex project coordination
- Specialized worker agents
- Feedback and refinement needed
Use Heavy Swarm When:
- Comprehensive research required
- Multiple analysis phases
- Thorough investigation needed
Use Group Chat When:
- Debate and discussion beneficial
- Conversational problem-solving
- Multi-perspective reasoning
Use Graph Workflow When:
- Complex task dependencies
- DAG structure required
- Parallel branches with convergence
Use Social Algorithms When:
- Custom communication patterns
- Arbitrary agent interactions
- Flexible orchestration needed
Next Steps
Explore each architecture in detail:Sequential Workflow
Linear agent execution
Concurrent Workflow
Parallel agent processing
Agent Rearrange
Custom flow patterns
Mixture of Agents
Expert synthesis