To overcome native limitations of large language models—such as handling private knowledge, accessing real-time information, adhering to fixed procedures, and planning complex tasks—Alibaba Cloud Bailian provides three core application-building paradigms: Agents, Workflows, and Pro-code Applications. Bailian applications integrate key capabilities—including RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) with knowledge bases, external tool invocation, and memory—to help you rapidly build AI applications that solve real-world business problems.
Quick Selection Guide
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Agent Applications
- Prompt-driven; autonomously understand user intent, make decisions, and invoke external tools such as knowledge bases and MCP services to complete tasks.
- Ideal for open-ended conversational applications—for example, intelligent customer service, knowledge Q&A, task assistants, and travel planning.
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Workflow Applications
- Enable visual node orchestration to chain multi-step, complex tasks into stable, controllable, and reproducible execution pipelines.
- Best suited for automating fixed processes—such as automated report generation, order processing, multi-stage approval workflows, and data annotation.
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Pro-code Applications
- Designed for professional developers; support building and deploying AI backend services using Python code—with one-click cloud deployment and automatic integration of enterprise-grade operations capabilities.
- Ideal for scenarios requiring deep customization—such as deploying proprietary algorithms, integrating complex systems, or building production-grade AI backend services.
Comparison Across Application Types
| Dimension | Agent | Workflow | Pro-code Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development Method | Natural-language configuration (no-code) | Visual node orchestration (low-code) | Python coding (professional code) |
| Core Characteristics | AI-driven autonomous decision-making and dynamic planning—the LLM plans task steps dynamically based on prompts | Precise control via predefined workflows—each step is explicitly defined by configured nodes; logic is deterministic | Full control via code—all logic and execution paths are defined programmatically |
| Target Users | Business users, product managers, operations staff | IT operations, business analysts, implementation consultants | AI engineers, developers |
| Development Barrier | Low | Medium | High |