Introduction As AI systems become more sophisticated, the costs associated with deploying and maintaining them can spiral out of control. This is particularly true for agentic systems—complex architectures that manage multi-agent workflows. Effective cost control is essential not just for profitability, but also for sustainability in AI product development. In this article, we'll explore budget caps that actually work in minimizing expenses while maximizing utility. We'll look at practical strategies, supported by data and real-world examples from projects we've managed at Agents IA . Understanding Agentic Systems Agentic systems are designed to autonomously perform tasks based on a set of predefined goals. This autonomy can lead to significant operational efficiencies, but it also comes with risks—especially financial. A poorly controlled budget can lead to runaway expenses. So how do we put effective limits in place?…