WAT Framework (Workflows-Agent-Tools)

A project-structure pattern for building agentic workflows inside Claude Code. Three layers: Workflows are markdown SOPs that describe a process end-to-end (the 'recipe'); the Agent is Claude itself, the decision-maker that reads workflows and chooses which tools to call; Tools are Python scripts that perform one specific action each (the 'ingredients'). Self-improvement is baked in – when a tool fails, Claude updates the tool or workflow file so the next run is smarter. The framework prevents file sprawl and context rot by imposing a standard folder layout defined in a project-level claude.md.

Key points

• Workflows = markdown SOPs describing processes (the 'recipe')
• Agent = Claude Code, the decision-maker that reads workflows and delegates
• Tools = Python scripts with a single specific job (the 'ingredients')
• Folder structure enforced via claude.md: /workflows, /tools, /temp, .env
• Tools and workflows auto-update when they fail, producing a self-improving system
• Modular: tools can be reused across multiple workflows
• Typical project has a small set of composable tools (scrape, generate, export) that serve many workflows
• Works best for human-triggered use cases; scheduled runs still require external deployment (e.g. Modal, Trigger.dev)
• The 10-hour course clarifies the Agentic Build / Deploy Boundary: in production, teams usually deploy the workflow instructions and tools, not the live Claude Code agent ^[src-016]
• .env is the expected place for API keys and secrets; CLAUDE.md should explain the project structure and rules without exposing credentials ^[src-016]
• WAT is taught as a way to keep agentic builds modular enough to test, deploy, document, and hand over to clients ^[src-016]
• Nate's deployment comparison turns WAT into a deployment diagnostic: /loop and cloud routines keep Workflows, Agent, and Tools together, while Modal/trigger.dev usually deploy Workflows and Tools unless an agent SDK is intentionally embedded ^[src-086].

Related entities

• Claude Code

Related concepts

• Agentic Workflows
• Claude Code + n8n Integration Pattern
• Agentic Build / Deploy Boundary
• Agent Deployment Modes

Source references

• ^[src-005] Nate Herk cluster — Nate Herk — n8n cluster (18 videos)

– Videos referenced: 3GAxd90fEE4, tDGiWn0flK8, AO5aW01DKHo

• ^[src-016] Nate Herk — "Build & Sell with Claude Code (10+ Hour Course)" (2026-03-12)
• ^[src-086] Nate Herk — "I Tested 3 Ways to Deploy Claude Agents (Here's When to Use Each)" (2026-05-15)