How Assemble Compares
Different tools for different jobs.
Scroll horizontally to see all columns
| 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