AI Agent

Canonical scenario page for execution-depth-driven multi-step agent workflows.

AI Agent (Tool-Using, Multi-Step)

Variable usage pattern

Multi-step execution workflows where a single task expands into multiple reasoning and tool calls. Cost is shaped primarily by execution depth — not just request volume.

Recommended setup

Model: GPT-5 mini

Balanced reasoning capability with controlled verbosity and stable tool-use behavior. Suitable for structured multi-step workflows.

Monthly cost (directional)

Expected

$22,000–$28,000 / mo

Spiky / peak usage

$38,000–$52,000 / mo

Typical failure modes

Execution depth expands beyond expected step limits.
Tool retries compound across multi-step tasks.
Context accumulates between steps without trimming.
Reflection loops increase reasoning length silently.

When this breaks

Breaks when average execution depth exceeds ~6 steps per task or when retries compound across those steps.

How experienced teams mitigate this

Cap maximum execution depth per task
Introduce retry guardrails on tool failures
Trim memory between reasoning steps
Limit verbosity in reflective reasoning