The Automat

Field notes from the bleeding edge of business

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Giving an Agent a Budget: How to Scope What It's Allowed to Do

Giving an Agent a Budget: How to Scope What It's Allowed to Do

Giving an Agent a Budget: How to Scope What It's Allowed to DoDrew Donaldson
Published on: 16/07/2026

Agent guardrails, made concrete: how to scope an AI agent's authority with allow-lists, spend caps, and escalation rules before you ship.

Agentic AI & The Harness Races
Six Ways Independent Consultants Are Using Agents to Bill Less and Earn More

Six Ways Independent Consultants Are Using Agents to Bill Less and Earn More

Six Ways Independent Consultants Are Using Agents to Bill Less and Earn MoreDrew Donaldson
Published on: 11/07/2026

AI for independent consultants done right: six agent-powered moves to automate billable drudgery, productize delivery, and earn more while billing fewer hours.

Agentic AI & The Harness Races
From Spreadsheet Hell to a Standing Workflow: One Agentic Build

From Spreadsheet Hell to a Standing Workflow: One Agentic Build

From Spreadsheet Hell to a Standing Workflow: One Agentic BuildDrew Donaldson
Published on: 02/07/2026

Agentic workflow automation case study: what one team automated first, the humans they kept in the loop, and the six-week numbers.

Agentic AI & The Harness Races
Designing a Custom Agent Your Team Will Actually Use

Designing a Custom Agent Your Team Will Actually Use

Designing a Custom Agent Your Team Will Actually UseDrew Donaldson
Published on: 28/06/2026

Design custom AI agents for teams that actually get used: scope the job, set standing instructions, calibrate autonomy, and earn adoption.

Agentic AI & The Harness Races