Agents
An agent is an AI worker that takes action toward a goal. You give it instructions, context, and a set of tools, and it carries out real work — not just answering a question, but doing the task.
The building blocks
A handful of core concepts form the foundation of Rival Enterprise. Understanding these building blocks makes navigating the rest of the documentation straightforward. Each has its own page for the full detail — this is the quick map.
Core building blocks
Section titled “Core building blocks”Workflows
A workflow is an automated, multi-step process. It has a trigger that starts it, a sequence of actions it performs, and approval steps where a human signs off before anything final happens.
Functions
A tool (also called a function) is a single, specific capability an agent or workflow can use — like sending an email, querying a database, or creating a ticket. Tools are the building blocks that actions are made of.
Connectors
A connector is a secure link between Rival and one of your systems — Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and more. Connectors are how agents and workflows read from, and act inside, the tools your team already uses.
MCP servers
An MCP server is a standardized way to give Rival access to an external system or set of tools. MCP — the Model Context Protocol — is an open standard for connecting AI to data and tools, so capabilities can be shared in a consistent, plug-in fashion.
RivalBot
RivalBot is your built-in assistant for getting value from Rival. In plain language, it helps you spot automation opportunities, find the right agents and workflows, and build new ones.
Marketplace
The marketplace is where you discover and adopt pre-built agents, tools, and workflows. Instead of building everything from scratch, you start from what already works and customize it to your needs.
Governance
Governance is the set of controls that keep AI safe and accountable at scale — approvals, permissions, guardrails, and audit logs. In Rival, governance is the foundation, not an add-on: admins decide what’s allowed before anything runs across teams.
Two more concepts show up constantly once you start building: secrets, the credentials your functions and connectors authenticate with, and the knowledge base an agent draws on to ground its work.
Component summary
Section titled “Component summary”| Building block | Primary role | Key benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Agents | Task-oriented AI workers | Autonomous execution toward goals |
| Workflows | Multi-step process sequences | Standardized business automation |
| Functions | Individual system capabilities | Discrete, actionable capabilities |
| Connectors | Secure enterprise integrations | Safe access to company tools |
| MCP servers | Open protocol tool endpoints | Standardized plug-in integrations |
| RivalBot | Embedded platform assistant | Natural language workflow creation |
| Marketplace | Curated catalog of solutions | Immediate adoption of approved assets |
| Governance | Administrative policy controls | Safety, auditability, and compliance |
Next steps
Section titled “Next steps” Glossary Quick one-line definitions of every platform term.
Run your first workflow Execute a real process end to end in a few minutes.
Executive summary How leadership and administrators set the rules of the road.