Constraint Systems
Define boundaries and rules that govern agent behavior through hard and soft constraints
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0 / 5 completedKey Takeaways
You have mastered constraint systems for AI agents. Here are the 10 most important concepts to remember as you design and implement constraint-based agent behaviors.
Two Types of Constraints
Hard constraints are absolute boundaries that cannot be violated (budget, permissions, deadlines). Soft constraints are preferences that guide optimization (quality, cost, speed). Know which type each constraint is.
principleHard Constraints Prevent Disasters
Use hard constraints for critical safety boundaries: financial limits, security policies, regulatory compliance, resource quotas. These prevent catastrophic failures like budget overruns or data breaches.
practiceSoft Constraints Enable Excellence
Most agent behaviors should be soft constraints. They allow agents to optimize for user experience while adapting to context. Rigid agents frustrate users; flexible agents delight them.
principlePrioritize Your Constraints
Assign clear priorities to soft constraints (quality > cost > speed, or vice versa). When conflicts arise, agents use these priorities to make trade-offs automatically without human intervention.
implementationConflicts Are Inevitable
Constraints will conflict - speed vs accuracy, cost vs quality, privacy vs functionality. Plan resolution strategies in advance: priority hierarchies, compromise approaches, escalation paths.
principleLog All Violations
Record every constraint violation (hard and soft) with context: what was violated, why, what action was taken. These logs are invaluable for tuning constraints and detecting issues.
practiceEscalate Hard Conflicts
When two hard constraints conflict and both cannot be satisfied, immediately escalate to a human. Agents should not guess which critical boundary to violate.
practiceContext Changes Priorities
Constraint priorities should adapt to context. Urgent queries prioritize speed; complex analyses prioritize quality; high-volume scenarios prioritize cost. Build context awareness into your constraint system.
implementationStart Conservative, Relax Gradually
Begin with stricter constraints and loosen them as you gain confidence. It is easier to relax an overly strict constraint than to tighten one that has already caused damage.
practiceConstraints Require Maintenance
Review and update constraints regularly. Business needs change, user expectations evolve, and cost structures shift. Constraints are living rules, not static configuration.
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