Dictionary entry
scaffolding
also agent scaffolding or agentic scaffolding or LLM scaffolding
Definition of scaffolding
-
: the software surrounding an AI model that supplies instructions, tools, memory, context management, execution loops, permissions, and other structures needed to turn the model into a working agent
- The underlying model stayed the same, but new scaffolding made the coding agent much better at testing its own changes.
- The model chose the next action while the scaffolding executed the tool call and returned the result.
Two meanings, one word
In everyday English
A temporary structure used to support workers and materials while a building is constructed or repaired.
In AI
The software surrounding an AI model that supplies instructions, tools, memory, context management, execution loops, permissions, and other structures needed to turn the…
Origin & history
The AI use extends the construction metaphor of a temporary supporting structure. By 2023, researchers evaluating language-model agents were using scaffolding for the prompts and software wrapped around a model; the term later broadened to include tools, memory, context handling, permissions, and the agent loop.
Test yourself
Which of these is the meaning of scaffolding?
Cite this entry
"Scaffolding." AI Dictionary, Dadgogo, https://dadgogo.com/dictionary/scaffolding/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.