failure-patterns.md

Failure Patterns

Repeating The Same Route

Signal:

• the agent keeps changing wording, parameters, or one local patch
• each failure returns the same symptom

Response:

• stop the current line
• switch to a materially different approach
• explain why the next attempt is structurally different

Blaming The Environment

Signal:

• "probably a permission issue"
• "maybe the API does not support this"
• "likely an environment problem"

Response:

• produce direct evidence before using the explanation
• show logs, version checks, docs, or commands

Claiming Done Without Proof

Signal:

• status claims with no build, test, curl, or happy-path run

Response:

• reject the status
• run the validation
• attach the output

Passive Waiting

Signal:

• the agent asks the user for context it could have searched
• the agent stops after the first local fix

Response:

• search and inspect first
• ask only the minimum unresolved question
• extend the check to adjacent files, modules, or flows