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Comparison

How Assemble Compares

Different tools for different jobs.

Feature Assemble CrewAI AutoGen LangGraph
Category Config Generator Runtime Framework Multi-Agent Framework State Machine
Architecture Build-time generation Runtime execution Runtime execution Runtime graph
Dependencies 0 50+ 80+ 100+
Runtime Required No Yes Yes Yes
Platforms 21 IDE/CLI Python only Python only Python/JS
Setup Time 2 min 30+ min 45+ min 60+ min
Lock-in None (native files) Framework Library Runtime
Language Any (platform-native) Python Python Python/JS
Token Efficiency Optimized prompts Variable Variable Variable
Governance Built-in (3 levels) None None None

When to use what

Use Assemble when...

Configuration is your priority.

  • You want to configure AI agents in your IDE
  • You need multi-platform support (21 targets)
  • You want zero runtime overhead
  • You need built-in governance and quality controls

Use CrewAI / AutoGen when...

Autonomous execution is your priority.

  • You need autonomous agent execution
  • You are building custom AI pipelines
  • You want agents to run tasks programmatically
  • You need inter-agent communication at runtime

They're complementary

Different tools for different problems.

  • Use Assemble to configure your IDE agents
  • Use CrewAI for runtime agent orchestration
  • Combine both for full-stack AI coverage
  • No lock-in means easy integration

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Assemble a replacement for CrewAI?
No. Assemble generates configuration files for AI coding tools (IDEs and CLIs). CrewAI is a runtime framework that executes multi-agent workflows. They solve different problems and can be used together.
Can I use Assemble with AutoGen agents?
Assemble and AutoGen operate at different layers. Assemble configures your IDE to work with AI agents. AutoGen runs agents programmatically. You can use both in the same project without conflict.
Why does Assemble have zero dependencies?
Assemble generates plain text configuration files — Markdown and YAML. It does not need a runtime, a server, or external libraries. This means zero supply chain risk and instant setup.
What does 'build-time generation' mean?
Assemble runs once to generate static config files. After generation, there is no Assemble process running. Your IDE reads the generated files natively. No daemon, no server, no memory footprint.
How does governance work in Assemble?
Assemble offers three governance levels: none (default), standard (decision gates and risk assessment), and strict (audit trail, RBAC, NIST AI RMF mapping). It is configured in a single YAML file.

Ready to try Assemble?

Zero dependencies. Two-minute setup. No lock-in.

terminal 
$ npx cohesiumai-assemble
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