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

# Decision Guide

> When to use which integration model

# Decision Guide

This guide helps you choose the right integration model for your use case.

## Quick Decision Tree

```mermaid theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
flowchart TD
    A[START HERE] --> B{Is your app<br/>written in Python?}
    B -->|Yes| C[Model 1: Embedded SDK<br/>lowest latency]
    B -->|No| D{Is this for<br/>scripts/CI/CD?}
    D -->|Yes| E[Model 2: CLI Invocation<br/>simplest]
    D -->|No| F{Single machine/<br/>dev environment?}
    F -->|Yes| G[Model 3: HTTP Sidecar<br/>polyglot, local]
    F -->|No| H{Need async/<br/>batch processing?}
    H -->|Yes| I[Model 5: Event-Driven<br/>scalable async]
    H -->|No| J{Building IDE/<br/>CMS plugin?}
    J -->|Yes| K[Model 6: Plugin Mode<br/>native UX]
    J -->|No| L[Model 4: Remote Runner<br/>managed, secure]
    
    style C fill:#90EE90
    style E fill:#90EE90
    style G fill:#87CEEB
    style I fill:#FFB6C1
    style K fill:#87CEEB
    style L fill:#FFE4E1
```

## Comparison Matrix

| Criteria          | Model 1 | Model 2 | Model 3 | Model 4 | Model 5  | Model 6  |
| ----------------- | ------- | ------- | ------- | ------- | -------- | -------- |
| **Latency**       | Lowest  | Low     | Medium  | Medium  | Variable | Low      |
| **Language**      | Python  | Any     | Any     | Any     | Any      | Platform |
| **Complexity**    | Low     | Low     | Medium  | High    | High     | Medium   |
| **Multi-tenant**  | ❌       | ❌       | ❌       | ✅       | ✅        | ❌        |
| **Async**         | ❌       | ❌       | ❌       | ❌       | ✅        | ❌        |
| **Auth built-in** | ❌       | ❌       | ✅       | ✅       | ✅        | ❌        |
| **Streaming**     | ✅       | ✅       | ✅       | ✅       | ❌        | ✅        |

## By Use Case

| Use Case             | Primary Model | Alternative |
| -------------------- | ------------- | ----------- |
| SaaS support replies | Model 3/4     | Model 1     |
| Meeting notes        | Model 2/5     | Model 1     |
| SQL assistant        | Model 1       | Model 3     |
| Code review          | Model 6/2     | Model 3     |
| Marketing content    | Model 3       | Model 5     |
| Customer onboarding  | Model 4       | Model 3     |
| Fraud detection      | Model 5       | Model 4     |
| Document Q\&A        | Model 1/3     | Model 4     |
| Sales coaching       | Model 5       | Model 2     |
| Data migration       | Model 2       | Model 1     |
| Multi-agent router   | Model 1/3     | Model 4     |
| Localization         | Model 5/2     | Model 3     |

## By Environment

### Development

* **Recommended**: Model 1 (SDK) or Model 2 (CLI)
* **Why**: Fast iteration, easy debugging

### Staging

* **Recommended**: Model 3 (HTTP Sidecar)
* **Why**: Mimics production, tests HTTP integration

### Production

* **Recommended**: Model 4 (Remote Runner) or Model 5 (Event-Driven)
* **Why**: Scalable, secure, monitored

## Configuration Consolidation

### Using agents.yaml for All Config

You can consolidate serve configuration into your existing `agents.yaml` file instead of maintaining a separate `serve.yaml`:

```yaml theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
# agents.yaml - unified configuration
framework: praisonai
topic: My Application

# Agent definitions
roles:
  assistant:
    role: AI Assistant
    goal: Help users
    tasks:
      respond:
        description: Respond to {query}

# Server configuration (optional section)
serve:
  host: 127.0.0.1
  port: 8765
  auth: api-key
  preload: true
  recipes:
    - my-recipe
    - another-recipe
```

Then start the server:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai serve recipe --config agents.yaml
```

This approach:

* ✅ Single configuration file
* ✅ Agent definitions + server config together
* ✅ Easier to manage
* ✅ Version control friendly

## Next Steps

* Review detailed [Integration Models](/docs/guides/recipes/integration-models)
* Explore [Use Cases](/docs/guides/recipes/use-cases) for patterns
* Check [Personas](/docs/guides/recipes/personas) for role guidance