Definition
Plan-and-Execute is an agent architecture where the AI first creates a complete plan of action steps, then executes each step sequentially. Unlike ReAct (which interleaves thinking and acting), Plan-and-Execute separates the planning phase from execution, making it better suited for long, complex tasks.
Example
Plan: 1) Read requirements document. 2) Design database schema. 3) Create migration files. 4) Write API endpoints. 5) Add tests. The agent executes each step, updating the plan if needed.
Why it matters
For complex workflows, upfront planning reduces errors and wasted effort. The agent knows what it needs to do before it starts doing it.