Large language models (LLMs) excel at understanding and generating text, but they have limitations, such as difficulty handling private data, accessing the latest information, following fixed processes, and planning multi-step tasks on their own. Model Studio addresses these gaps with three application types -- agent applications, workflow applications, and agent orchestration -- that add knowledge base retrieval, workflow design, and agent collaboration on top of the base model. Agent orchestration has been replaced by workflow applications.
If you are new to AI application development, start with an agent application. Switch to a workflow application when you need deterministic control over each step.
Console restrictions: Only International Edition users who created applications before April 21, 2025 can access the Application Development tab, as shown in the following figure.
This tab contains the following features: Applications (agent application and workflow application), Components (prompt engineering and plug-in), and Data (knowledge base and application data). These are all preview features. Use them with caution in production environments.
API call limits: Only International Edition users who created applications before April 21, 2025, can call the application data, knowledge base, and prompt engineering APIs.
Agent application
An agent application (labeled Assistant in the console) is a conversational AI application that completes tasks through contextual dialogue, autonomous decision-making, and tool calling.
When to use an agent application:
You need a chat-based interface for natural-language interactions.
Prompt engineering is the primary mechanism for shaping model behavior.
You want to connect knowledge bases or call external tools (official or custom plug-ins) without designing a multi-step pipeline.
Agent applications require no code. Define prompts, attach a knowledge base, enable plug-ins -- the model handles the rest. The simple configuration process and intuitive conversational output format make agent applications ideal for beginners to quickly create single-function AI applications.
For setup instructions, see Agent application.
Workflow application
A workflow application (labeled Workflow in the console) is a procedural AI application that breaks tasks into discrete subtasks represented as nodes, giving you explicit control over each step.
When to use a workflow application:
The process must be fixed and repeatable, with each step producing a defined input and output.
The task involves branching logic, text conversion, or integration with external services such as Function Compute.
Deterministic control matters more than prompt flexibility.
Workflow applications require no code. Drag and drop nodes onto a canvas, configure each node, and connect them to build your task flow.
For setup instructions, see Workflow application.
Feature comparison
Feature | Agent application | Workflow application |
Creation method | No-code | No-code |
Interaction model | Conversational | Procedural |
Prompt dependency | High -- the model relies on prompts for behavior, branching, and planning | Low -- node configuration defines behavior |
Supported | Supported | |
Supported (official and custom plug-ins) | Supported (plug-in node, API node) | |
Text conversion | Limited -- depends on prompt instructions | Supported (text conversion node, script conversion node) |
External service integration | Supported (custom plug-ins) | Supported (Function Compute node) |
Branching | Limited -- depends on prompt instructions | Supported (logical branching, intent recognition) |
Automatic planning | Limited -- depends on prompt instructions | Supported (agent group node) |
Agent applications offer a faster path to a working prototype through conversational interaction and prompt tuning. Workflow applications provide deterministic control, making them better suited for production pipelines that require repeatable, auditable steps.
Access restrictions for International Edition
The following restrictions apply to International Edition users:
Console access: Only users who created applications before April 21, 2025 can access the Application Development tab. This tab includes:
Applications: Agent application and workflow application
Components: Prompt engineering and plug-in
Data: Knowledge base and application data
API access: Only users who created applications before April 21, 2025 can call the application data, knowledge base, and prompt engineering APIs.
All features listed above are in preview. Use them with caution in production environments.