Handoff mode versus supervisor mode orchestration
Key Takeaway
In handoff mode, the default, the orchestrator passes control and the connected subagent answers the user directly, which is faster. In supervisor mode, the orchestrator keeps the conversation and combines the connected subagents' results into its own reply.
Multi-Agent Orchestration lets one Agentforce agent, the orchestrator, send work to other complete agents in the same Salesforce org, called connected subagents. Customers talk to one front door instead of picking from a list of agents. The orchestrator routes work in one of two modes, handoff mode or supervisor mode. The mode you choose decides who replies to the user and whether the orchestrator combines results from several agents.
Why teams outgrow a single agent
Teams usually outgrow a single agent in a few ways:
- A service agent needs a new field service use case.
- Agents in different business units must talk to each other.
- One Instructions block covers so many domains that routing keeps breaking.
Without orchestration, users of Messaging for In-App and Web (MIAW) must pick the right agent from a growing list. Each time they switch agents, they have to repeat themselves.