Author
Lucas Powell
Founder, Growth 8020
Lucas Powell runs Growth 8020, an AI-first B2B marketing studio that builds and operates AI agent workflows for companies who want senior-level marketing output without the senior-level headcount.
He started Agent Shortlist after watching too many teams — including his own — burn through AI tools that promised value and didn't deliver. The publication is built on a simple premise: builders deserve honest reviews from people who've actually used the tools, not affiliate-padded listicles or vendor-sponsored content disguised as editorial.
Everything published here is tested in real workflows. The verdicts are opinionated. The recommendations come with reasoning. And when something fails, we say so.
Where to find Lucas
Articles by Lucas
Apr 28, 2026 · 8 min read
The 5 most common AI agent use cases (and which platform fits each)
What are builders actually using AI agents for in 2026? Five patterns we see repeatedly, with the platform we'd pick for each — no vendor demos.
Apr 28, 2026 · 8 min read
Skills vs MCP servers vs subagents: the architectural map for builders
Five concepts in Claude Code overlap with each other. Most explainers stop at definitions. Here's when to actually use which.
Apr 28, 2026 · 8 min read
Where AI agents actually deliver ROI in 2026 (and where the math doesn't work)
Five patterns where AI agents pay for themselves — and the vendor math you should ignore. With concrete numbers from real production deployments.
Apr 27, 2026 · 9 min read
What Claude Skills actually are (and why most people are getting them wrong)
Most builders think Claude Skills are saved prompts. The architecture is different — and it's the reason Skills are actually useful.