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Advanced RAG Patterns
Agentic RAG (Tool-Augmented Retrieval)
Basic RAG follows a fixed retrieve-then-generate pattern. Agentic RAG gives the LLM agency to decide when, what, and how many times to retrieve. The model acts as an autonomous agent that can use retrieval as a tool, chain multiple searches, and synthesize across sources — much like a human researcher.
| Aspect | Naive RAG | Agentic RAG |
|---|---|---|
| Retrieval Decision | Always retrieves (even for "hello") | Agent decides if retrieval is needed |
| Retrieval Iterations | Single-shot | Multi-step, iterative refinement |
| Tool Usage | Vector search only | Vector search + SQL + API + web search |
| Query Formulation | Uses raw user query | Rewrites query, decomposes into sub-queries |
| Source Selection | Single index | Routes to appropriate knowledge source |
| Failure Handling | Returns whatever it gets | Detects low-quality retrieval, retries or falls back |
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