Concept dictionary
Prompt or Workflow Chaining
A chain is a linked sequence of steps, prompts, tools, or decisions that work together in an AI workflow.
- Review state
- Reviewed in POC
- Freshness
- Current
- Version
- 2
Also called
- Prompt Chaining
- Workflow Chaining
- Chaining
Remember it this wayEach step hands something to the next.
In plain language
Prompt or workflow chaining connects steps so the output of one prompt, tool, or decision becomes input to the next. The sequence may be fixed in code or chosen as work proceeds.
Why it matters
Chaining can make complex work observable and testable at each handoff. It also creates dependencies: an early error can propagate unless later steps validate their inputs.
Example
One step extracts facts from documents, a second checks the facts against policy, and a third drafts a response using only the validated set.
Common misconception
A longer chain is not automatically more capable. Every added step introduces latency, cost, failure modes, and another boundary that needs verification.
Related terms
Sources
- Anthropic, “Building Effective Agents”defines prompt chaining as a sequence in which each model call processes the previous call’s output.
Learn more
- Compare [[workflow|Workflow]], [[orchestration|Orchestration]], [[prompt|Prompt]], and [[handoff|Handoff]] to place Prompt or Workflow Chaining in the surrounding system.
- Follow the cited source material above for the method, standard, or research context behind this draft.