The Unbeatable Workflow of Today: The HTTP + MCP Hybrid

In the relentless pursuit of efficiency, the world of workflow automation is buzzing with the promise of AI agents. We're told they're the future, ready to take the reins of our most complex processes, but the reality is: that future promise isn't quite here yet.The most powerful workflows you can build today are about creating a synergy between conventional standards and new standards, not about choosing one technology over another.

At doFlo, we've found that the most robust, reliable, and intelligent workflows are neither entirely programmatic or entirely AI-driven. Instead, they are a thoughtful combination of two powerful methodologies: HTTP and MCP (Model Context Protocol) hybrid workflows. We think this is the secret sauce for thriving in the current landscape of AI.

The Best of Both Worlds: Speed, Reliability, Flexibility, and Freedom

To understand the power of a hybrid approach, let's break down its components. In a doFlo workflow, individual steps can connect to their respective apps or services via either HTTP or MCP.

• HTTP Steps: The Bedrock of Reliability 

Think of an HTTP step as a direct, no-nonsense command. It's a highly structured interaction with a specific API endpoint. You have distinct fields for the variables, and the setup is strict. This rigidity is its greatest strength. When you need a critical task to happen with speed and unfailing reliability - like processing a payment or updating a customer record - an HTTP step is your go-to. It's predictable, fast, and robust.

• MCP Steps: The Spark of Intelligent Flexibility 

MCP, on the other hand, is designed for a more dynamic, AI-driven world. An MCP step in a workflow provides a new level of flexibility. Instead of a rigid set of fields, you get a "loose setup" user experience. You can use natural language to instruct the step on how it should behave, referencing variables from the API. This grants you the freedom to create more adaptive and intelligent automations that can handle variability and make more nuanced decisions.

• HTTP & MCP Combined: Magic

You can build a workflow that starts with a flexible MCP step to interpret an incoming email. Then use a series of rock-solid HTTP steps to execute core business logic, and finish with another MCP step to summarize the outcome and decide the next best action. This fusion of unwavering reliability and intelligent adaptability is what makes a hybrid workflow so effective.

Navigating the Reality of AI Agents

The promise of fully autonomous AI agents is tantalizing. However, the reality is that their efficacy rates are not yet at a level that can be trusted for many mission-critical use cases at scale. Recent studies have shown that even top-performing AI models can have high failure rates when it comes to complex, multi-step office tasks. They can get lost, take incorrect shortcuts, or "hallucinate" information, making them a risky bet for processes that require high accuracy.

This is precisely why a hybrid workflow is not just a "nice-to-have," but a necessity. It acknowledges the current limitations of AI while still harnessing its power. By using HTTP steps for the critical, must-not-fail parts of a process, you create a safety net of reliability. Then, you can strategically deploy MCP steps where flexibility and a bit of "intelligent interpretation" add the most value, without compromising the integrity of the entire workflow.

The User Experience: Freedom and Structure in Harmony

The way you build a workflow is just as important as how it runs. The contrast in the user experience between HTTP and MCP steps is a core part of the doFlo philosophy.

• HTTP's Strict Setup: The clear, distinct fields of an HTTP step provide clarity and confidence. You know exactly what information is going where, leaving no room for ambiguity. This structured approach is ideal for developers and anyone who values precision.

• MCP's Loose Setup: The natural language interface of an MCP step is incredibly empowering. It lowers the technical barrier to creating sophisticated logic. If you can describe what you want to happen, you can build it. This "low-code" approach democratizes workflow creation, allowing business users and automation experts alike to build powerful, AI-driven steps with ease.

Both of these setup experiences have their place, and in a hybrid workflow, you get to choose the right one for each step of the journey.

Why Hybrid is the Winning Strategy for Today

The current state of AI is a stepping stone, not the final destination. While we are rapidly moving towards more and more autonomous systems, a blind leap of faith into fully "agentic" workflows is premature for most businesses. The most effective strategy is one that embraces the powerful tools we have now in the most intelligent way possible.

By combining the speed and reliability of HTTP with the flexibility and freedom of MCP, doFlo allows you to build workflows that are:

• Resilient: They have a solid foundation of reliable steps that ensure core processes are executed flawlessly.

• Intelligent: They can incorporate AI-driven decision-making and natural language understanding where it matters most.

• Scalable: The efficiency of HTTP steps allows for high-volume processing, while MCP steps can handle the variability that comes with growth.

• Future-Proof: As AI models become more reliable, you can gradually shift more logic to MCP steps without having to rebuild your entire workflow from scratch.

The best type of workflow for today is not about choosing between rigid automation and AI-powered intelligence. It's about recognizing the strengths of both and weaving them together into a seamless, powerful, and reliable whole. It's about being pragmatic, strategic, and building for the reality of today while keeping a firm eye on the possibilities of tomorrow.

Sign up to doFlo and get started with HTTP & MCP workflows now: https://app.doflo.com/