Module 4: Routing & Intent Mapping

Introduction: The Brain of the Operation

Welcome to Module 4. In our journey so far, we have meticulously crafted the agent's core identity through instructional prompts (Module 2) and built its long-term memory with a clean, optimized vector store (Module 3). Now, we arrive at the most dynamic and intelligent part of the system: the routing and intent mapping layer. If the instructional prompt is the agent's DNA and the vector store is its memory, then the routing system is its brain—the central processing unit that directs the flow of information and makes real-time decisions.

This module will shift our focus from preparing static resources to building a dynamic, intelligent decision-making engine. We will explore how to move beyond a single, monolithic knowledge base and create a sophisticated system that can understand a user's underlying goal, or intent, and route their query to the most appropriate data source, tool, or even another specialized agent.

From Retrieval to Reasoning

In a simple Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system, every query searches the same vector store. However, real-world applications are far more complex. A user might ask a question that is best answered by a product manual, a financial database, a marketing report, or a customer support knowledge base. A simple RAG system would search all of these sources indiscriminately, leading to noisy, irrelevant results. A routing system, on the other hand, acts as an intelligent switchboard, directing the query to the right place from the start.

This module will teach you how to build that switchboard. We will cover:

• Intent Taxonomy Design: How to create a structured classification system for all possible user intents.

• Data Source Mapping: How to link each intent to the most relevant data source or tool.

• Advanced Retrieval Strategies: How to combine keyword and vector search for more robust results.

• Error Handling & Escalation: How to build resilient systems that can handle ambiguity and gracefully escalate to human agents when needed.

By the end of this module, you will be able to design and implement a sophisticated routing layer that transforms your AI agent from a simple information retriever into a powerful reasoning engine. You will have the tools to build multi-faceted agents that can navigate complex information landscapes, understand nuanced user requests, and deliver precise, contextually relevant answers. Let's begin building the brain of your AI agent.