Understand the parts before designing an automation.
3 min read
The short version
A prompt sets a task. A skill saves instructions. A workflow sets steps. An agent can choose steps and use tools. Check its actual access and limits.
The idea
A prompt gives a model a task and context. A skill is a reusable pack of instructions and sometimes files or code. A workflow sets out steps. An agent can choose actions and use tools as it works toward a goal.
What to check
These labels do not tell you how much access a system has. A saved skill need not give it more freedom than a prompt. What matters is the tools it can use, the data it can reach, and the actions it can take.
Start with a small task and a clear review point. Limit access to the files and tools it needs. Require approval before an action such as sending a message. Check the result against a known source.
Examples are teaching material. For legal rules, read the current primary text linked below. A revision date does not certify every claim.
Sources and further reading
Linked sources support the technical background identified below. The legal workflows, prompts, and fictional examples are original editorial exercises; they are not claims of endorsement by the linked authors.
