Linear recently shared this architecture diagram, and while it may seem simple at first glance, I believe it's one of the clearest explanations I've seen on how to truly integrate AI into products.
Let’s break it down from left to right.
On the far left, we have inputs: customer needs, bug reports, and feedback. These are the daily realities every software team faces—messy, scattered, and abundant.
On the far right, we see the output: the Product, which is the end result you deliver to users.
But the magic happens in the middle—three nested layers.
The first layer is called Context. This includes plans, discussions, technical designs, decision logs, and code. In simpler terms, it’s all the “knowledge” your team holds. A common challenge for many teams is that this information is scattered across Slack, Notion, Google Docs, and emails, making it hard to find anything.
The second layer is Rules. This encompasses automated processes, skill definitions, and permission management. This layer defines “how things should be done” and “who can do what.”
Finally, we reach the third layer: Agents.
Notice the order here. It’s not about jumping straight to Agents; it’s essential to establish Context and Rules first, so that Agents can truly function effectively.
This is why many companies have spent a year shouting "We want to use AI" only to see little to no results. They rush to let AI take over without addressing the fragmented context and vague rules. An Agent without sufficient Context is like an intern who knows nothing. Without clear Rules, it doesn’t know its boundaries, leading to chaos or inaction.
What’s brilliant about Linear’s diagram is that it transforms AI from just a “feature” into a fundamental “architectural layer.”
AI isn’t just a button or a chat box; it’s embedded within the entire workflow. It reads Context to understand the background, follows Rules to determine actions, and only then does it operate as an Agent to execute tasks and deliver results.
Honestly, this approach offers valuable insights for any team looking to integrate AI into their business.
Before rushing to implement Agents, ask yourself two questions: Is your Context complete enough? Are your Rules clear enough?
If you can’t answer these well, even the strongest AI won’t be able to help you.
Feel free to share your thoughts!
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