Workers vs Agents: what's the difference?
Workers vs Agents: what's the difference?
Workers
A Worker is an autonomous AI agent that works in the background. It can:
- Execute tasks proactively
- Access your tools and integrations
- Handle recurring missions (scheduling, monitoring, etc.)
- Communicate with you via Ping, email, or phone
Workers are created and configured from the Workers cockpit.
Agents
An Agent (or custom assistant) is a conversational AI agent you can configure with:
- Specific instructions (system prompt)
- Reference documents
- Delos tools and applications
Agents are created from the Agents app in the left sidebar.
When to use each?
| Worker | Agent |
|---|---|
| Autonomous and recurring tasks | Assisted conversations |
| Asynchronous work | Real-time interaction |
| Multiple integrations | Specific document context |
| Light human supervision | Interactive use |