Comparison

AEP vs prompts

Prompts are ephemeral instructions; AEP is reusable, structured execution context.

Prompts answer "what now?"
AEP answers "how we reliably do this class of work."

AEP vs memory

Memory stores facts/preferences over time; AEP stores task-operational behavior and checks.

AEP vs MCP

MCP provides tool access; AEP defines how to execute work using those tools reliably.

MCP = capability transport.
AEP = execution policy.

AEP vs AGENTS.md

AGENTS.md gives high-level policy; AEP provides concrete, scoped workflow + validation.

Opinionated takeaway

Use them together:

• AGENTS.md for global behavior
• AEP for scoped, repeatable execution patterns