Recommend the workflow first. Tools last.
The AI Stack Engine is designed to answer one question: what is the smallest practical software stack that covers the work this business actually needs done?
Workflow scoring
Every candidate workflow is scored on problem match (35%), time-saving potential (20%), existing-tool compatibility (15%), budget fit (10%), team-size fit (10%), technical fit (5%) and data-risk fit (5%). Affiliate commission has a weight of exactly zero.
Required nodes
The highest-fit workflows are decomposed into required capabilities. A node is labeled as AI-assisted, deterministic automation or human review. We prefer deterministic automation for predictable moves and reserve AI for work that benefits from language, synthesis or judgment support.
Eligibility gates
Tools can be excluded by data sensitivity, technical complexity or a zero-dollar budget. For regulated/high-sensitivity answers, unverified compliance capability is treated as a reason to keep the node human—not as permission to assume the tool is safe.
Minimum-tool set cover
The engine tests eligible combinations beginning with one tool, then two, then three, and so on. Once it finds the minimum number of tools that covers every required capability, it breaks ties using incremental cost, setup complexity, redundant coverage and switching cost. Existing adequate tools receive zero incremental cost.
Explain the result
The result includes selected workflows, core tools, planning monthly cost, estimated weekly hours saved, uncovered capabilities and a Don't buy these section. If the current data cannot support a safe complete stack, the engine says so.
What the data means
Affiliate eligibility evidence and planning prices live in separate data collections with verification dates. Planning prices are estimates for stack comparison and should be reverified against current vendor pricing before production claims or purchase decisions. An affiliate program can change whether a link earns a commission; it cannot change workflow or tool scoring.