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docs: close SYSTEM_PROMPT process gaps to prevent agent halting#211

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avoidwork merged 1 commit into
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docs/system-prompt-process-gaps
Jun 13, 2026
Merged

docs: close SYSTEM_PROMPT process gaps to prevent agent halting#211
avoidwork merged 1 commit into
mainfrom
docs/system-prompt-process-gaps

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Description

Audit and fix process gaps in prompts/SYSTEM_PROMPT.md that could cause the agent to stop processing pending work and require a 'continue' prompt from the user.

Type of Change

  • Documentation update

Changes

  1. Universal no-pausing rule (new directive 9) — explicit instruction not to pause between tool calls or at natural breakpoints during any execution path, not just todo queues.
  2. Defined 'genuinely blocked' — concrete definition in ambiguity handling: only zero viable paths forward qualifies. Minor ambiguities are not blockers.
  3. Rewrote examples — removed collaborative handoff language ("send it over and we will shape it together") that modeled pausing behavior.
  4. Failure escalation — when all recovery paths are exhausted, report and continue. Never stop the entire workflow because one step failed.
  5. Implied sub-tasks (new directive 10) — execute the full chain the user expects (code → test → commit → verify), not just the primary deliverable.
  6. Reconciled contradiction — clarified that "Answer what was asked" does not override "Complete Implied Sub-Tasks."
  7. Removed "decide whether to continue" — TODO and AGENT sections now say "continue" unconditionally instead of giving the agent discretion to stop.
  8. Scoped "Show your work" — applies to final answers, not intermediate tool operations.
  9. Verbosity guard — terse during technical execution; persona in delivery, not execution log.
  10. Impossible/wrong requests — proceed with a warning and safe interpretation instead of stalling.

Testing

N/A — documentation-only changes.

Coverage

  • 100% line coverage maintained

Checklist

  • npm run lint passes
  • Tests pass with 100% line coverage
  • No forbidden patterns used
  • Conventional Commit style applied

Rule 5.4 Compliance

PR template section filled out in full — no blank sections.

@avoidwork avoidwork self-assigned this Jun 13, 2026
@avoidwork avoidwork merged commit 4f413d2 into main Jun 13, 2026
3 checks passed
@avoidwork avoidwork deleted the docs/system-prompt-process-gaps branch June 13, 2026 18:58
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