--- title: What's a scenario and which type should you use? slug: whats-a-scenario-and-which-type-should-you-use docTags: createdAt: 2026-05-22T13:44:47.508Z --- In Make, everything you build is a scenario. A scenario is an automated workflow that connects apps and services. In this article, understand what scenarios are, how to choose the right type for your workflow, and what to do next to get started. ## What's a scenario? A [scenario ](https://help.make.com/scenarios-and-connections)is your automated workflow, and [modules ](https://help.make.com/types-of-modules)are its building blocks. Each module belongs to an[ app](https://help.make.com/introduction-to-make-apps) and performs a specific task, such as watching for data, updating it, or sending it to another service. When an external event triggers the first module, the later modules run in sequence. ## Types of scenarios Before you build a scenario, you'll need to decide between three types: a **standard scenario**, **AI scenario**, and **AI agent scenario**. Each is suited to different kinds of workflows and data. ### Standard scenario A **standard scenario** is a series of non-AI modules that follow fixed rules. Common uses include simple, repetitive tasks such as sending notifications, updating inventory, and synchronizing data between systems. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/oAyFj2GHlBeBVWF5OAir2/op7iY9o7lmyWzkXA_3Lsl-20260605-141930.png "When a new email arrives, a Zendesk ticket is created, which triggers a new ClickUp task. Based on the ticket details, the task is routed to one of three ClickUp workspaces, or an email is sent.") ### AI scenario An **AI scenario** is a standard scenario that includes one or more AI modules. It's ideal for predictable workflows where you need AI at specific steps to analyze data, generate content, or convert data to other formats. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/oAyFj2GHlBeBVWF5OAir2/bBNpC_z_voy7UAcnmen0D_ai-agent-scenario-extract-receipts.png "When a new file is added to a Google Drive folder, it's downloaded and AI scans it for receipt details. The extracted data is logged to Google Sheets, and if the amount exceeds $100, the manager is notified via Slack.") ### AI agent scenario An **AI agent scenario** uses the [Make AI Agents (New)](https://help.make.com/make-ai-agents-new) app and lets the agent decide the path, rather than following a fixed one. It's best for workflows that involve classification and delegation, mostly rely on unstructured data like PDFs and emails, and use files to personalize results. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/oAyFj2GHlBeBVWF5OAir2/w-5J-tH_PcV34o6o1trEs-20260605-145530.png "When a new Slack message arrives, an AI Content Draft Agent decides what to do: search the web, save a draft to Google Sheets, create a Google Doc, or send a Slack message. The path changes based on the context of each message.") ![]() ## How they compare Scenario types differ based on how fixed the workflow is, how much data is unstructured, and whether and how they use AI. | | **Data** | **Logic** | **Results** | **Best for** | | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Standard scenario** | Structured (forms, spreadsheets, fields) | Fixed rules (if this, then that) | Consistent (same input, same output) | Predictable processes that need controlled, auditable outcomes | | **AI scenario** | A mix of structured and unstructured | Fixed rules, with AI judgment in specific steps | Mostly consistent, with some variable AI-generated parts | Workflows that need structure, with flexibility in a few steps | | **AI agent scenario** | Mostly unstructured (text, documents, chat) | Flexible (the agent decides) | Variable, depending on what the agent decides | Open-ended goals where the path isn't fixed in advance | ## When to use each Use this decision tree to choose the right scenario for your workflow. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/oAyFj2GHlBeBVWF5OAir2/GJpqFk5OuW-GlanmRQtXq_example-4.png) ## Examples Below are industry-specific examples of what each scenario type can do. | | **Sales** | **Marketing** | **Customer support** | | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Standard scenario** | Send new lead form responses to a CRM. | Upload videos to YouTube and post them on LinkedIn. | Save customer reviews to a Google Sheet. | | **AI scenario** | Evaluate a lead, determine its ICP fit, and summarize pain points. | Transcribe videos, identify viral topics, and draft platform-specific posts. | Analyze and categorize customer sentiment, then notify the relevant manager on Slack. | | **AI agent** | Access the CRM and calendar, research leads, and book meetings. | Strategically execute tasks to grow a social media following, including choosing topics, scheduling posts, and replying to comments. | Read a customer query, search the company knowledge base, and reply to the customer. | ## What's next Once you've decided on the scenario type, here's what to do next: - **If you chose a standard scenario**, build the workflow step by step. For a guided walkthrough, see [Create your first scenario](docId\:p5DHtppuOcAGN3DnHoT86). - **If you chose an AI scenario**, add one or more AI modules at specific steps of your scenario. Choose from built-in AI apps like [Make AI Toolkit](docId\:CfGqHRAekfeXyGbyOW_wC) , [Make AI Web Search](docId\:cHZ264Dv3dwuPyhE9Ytkj), and [Make AI Content Extractor](docId:-Jf9oHeMg72RRdb9cHwXv), or AI provider apps like[ Anthropic Claude](https://apps.make.com/GSbB58XXBpYArJF15YrxB) and [OpenAI](https://apps.make.com/openai-gpt-3). - **If you chose an AI agent scenario**, add the [Make AI Agents (New)](docId\:TDbUXjpvPGmQxZPwVqJ7w) app to your scenario and give it the tools and files it needs to work on its own. To get started quickly, explore the [Library of Agents](https://www.make.com/en/ai-agents-library) for a template to modify.