> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.swarms.world/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Multi-Agent Architectures Overview

> Comprehensive guide to all multi-agent architectures in Swarms with comparison table and use cases

Swarms provides a comprehensive suite of multi-agent architectures for orchestrating complex workflows. Each architecture is designed for specific use cases and collaboration patterns.

## Quick Comparison

| Architecture                                              | Execution Pattern       | Best For               | Complexity |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------- | ---------- |
| [Sequential Workflow](/architectures/sequential-workflow) | Linear chain            | Step-by-step processes | Low        |
| [Concurrent Workflow](/architectures/concurrent-workflow) | Parallel execution      | High-throughput tasks  | Low        |
| [Agent Rearrange](/architectures/agent-rearrange)         | Custom flow patterns    | Flexible workflows     | Medium     |
| [Mixture of Agents](/architectures/mixture-of-agents)     | Parallel + aggregation  | Expert synthesis       | Medium     |
| [Swarm Router](/architectures/swarm-router)               | Dynamic selection       | Unified orchestration  | Medium     |
| [Hierarchical Swarm](/architectures/hierarchical-swarm)   | Director-worker pattern | Project management     | High       |
| [Heavy Swarm](/architectures/heavy-swarm)                 | 5-phase analysis        | Research & analysis    | High       |
| [Group Chat](/architectures/group-chat)                   | Conversational          | Debate & collaboration | Medium     |
| [Graph Workflow](/architectures/graph-workflow)           | DAG-based               | Complex dependencies   | High       |
| [Social Algorithms](/architectures/social-algorithms)     | Custom patterns         | Flexible communication | Medium     |

## Architecture Categories

### Linear Architectures

These architectures execute tasks in a straightforward manner:

* **Sequential Workflow**: Agents execute in order (A → B → C)
* **Concurrent Workflow**: Agents execute simultaneously on the same task

### Dynamic Architectures

These provide flexible orchestration patterns:

* **Agent Rearrange**: Define custom flows with → and , operators
* **Swarm Router**: Dynamically select and execute any swarm type
* **Social Algorithms**: Upload arbitrary communication patterns

### Hierarchical Architectures

These implement structured command patterns:

* **Hierarchical Swarm**: Director coordinates specialized workers
* **Heavy Swarm**: 5-phase workflow with question generation

### Collaborative Architectures

These enable agent interaction and synthesis:

* **Mixture of Agents**: Parallel experts with aggregation
* **Group Chat**: Conversational multi-agent interaction
* **Graph Workflow**: DAG-based complex workflows

## Choosing the Right Architecture

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identify Your Pattern">
    Determine if your task needs sequential, parallel, or mixed execution
  </Step>

  <Step title="Consider Complexity">
    Match architecture complexity to task requirements
  </Step>

  <Step title="Evaluate Features">
    Review specific features like feedback loops, aggregation, or dynamic routing
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test and Iterate">
    Start simple and upgrade to more complex architectures as needed
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Architecture Selection Guide

### Use Sequential Workflow When:

* Tasks have clear sequential dependencies
* Each step builds on previous output
* Simple linear processing is sufficient

### Use Concurrent Workflow When:

* Tasks can run in parallel
* High throughput is needed
* Multiple perspectives on same input

### Use Agent Rearrange When:

* Need custom flow patterns
* Mix of sequential and parallel execution
* Dynamic routing requirements

### Use Mixture of Agents When:

* Multiple expert perspectives needed
* Quality through collaboration
* Synthesis of diverse outputs

### Use Swarm Router When:

* Need flexibility to switch strategies
* Testing multiple architectures
* Unified interface for all swarms

### Use Hierarchical Swarm When:

* Complex project coordination
* Specialized worker agents
* Feedback and refinement needed

### Use Heavy Swarm When:

* Comprehensive research required
* Multiple analysis phases
* Thorough investigation needed

### Use Group Chat When:

* Debate and discussion beneficial
* Conversational problem-solving
* Multi-perspective reasoning

### Use Graph Workflow When:

* Complex task dependencies
* DAG structure required
* Parallel branches with convergence

### Use Social Algorithms When:

* Custom communication patterns
* Arbitrary agent interactions
* Flexible orchestration needed

## Next Steps

Explore each architecture in detail:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Sequential Workflow" icon="arrow-right" href="/architectures/sequential-workflow">
    Linear agent execution
  </Card>

  <Card title="Concurrent Workflow" icon="layer-group" href="/architectures/concurrent-workflow">
    Parallel agent processing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Agent Rearrange" icon="diagram-project" href="/architectures/agent-rearrange">
    Custom flow patterns
  </Card>

  <Card title="Mixture of Agents" icon="users" href="/architectures/mixture-of-agents">
    Expert synthesis
  </Card>
</CardGroup>