alfworld-inventory-management

name	alfworld-inventory-management
description	Use when the agent must collect and track multiple instances of the same object type in ALFWorld (e.g., "put two cellphone in bed"). This skill maintains a count of collected versus needed objects, guides systematic searching through receptacles, and ensures each found object is placed at the target before searching for the next.

Inventory Management Skill

When to Use

Activate this skill when:

• Task requires collecting multiple instances of the same object type (e.g., "put two cellphone in bed")
• You need to track progress toward a quantity-based goal
• Searching through multiple locations systematically

Core Workflow

1. Initialize Inventory

• Parse the task description to identify:
  • Target object type (e.g., "cellphone")
  • Required quantity (e.g., "two" = 2)
  • Target receptacle (e.g., "bed 1")
• Initialize counters: collected = 0, needed = <quantity>
• Create empty list for searched locations

2. Systematic Search Pattern

Follow this search priority:

1. Visible surfaces (desks, dressers, beds, countertops) - check first
2. Closed containers (drawers, cabinets, safes) - open and inspect
3. Less common locations (shelves, side tables, garbage cans)
4. Return to known locations if inventory incomplete

Critical Rule: After finding an object, immediately place it at the target location before searching for the next one. Do not attempt to carry multiple objects simultaneously.

3. Action Decision Logic

Use this decision tree at each step:

Is target object visible in current observation?
├── YES → Take it, go to target receptacle, put it down
│         └── Increment collected counter
│             ├── collected == needed → TASK COMPLETE
│             └── collected < needed → Continue searching
└── NO → Have all receptacles been searched?
          ├── YES → Revisit receptacles (objects may have been missed)
          └── NO → Go to next unsearched receptacle

4. Per-Object Cycle

For each object instance found, follow this exact sequence:

1. take {object} from {current_receptacle}
2. go to {target_receptacle}
3. put {object} in/on {target_receptacle}
4. Update counter: collected += 1
5. If collected < needed, navigate to next unsearched receptacle

Example

Task: "Put two cellphone in bed 1."

> go to desk 1
On the desk 1, you see a cellphone 2, a pen 1.
> take cellphone 2 from desk 1
You pick up the cellphone 2 from the desk 1.
> go to bed 1
On the bed 1, you see a pillow 1.
> put cellphone 2 in/on bed 1
You put the cellphone 2 in/on the bed 1.
[collected: 1/2]
> go to dresser 1
On the dresser 1, you see a cellphone 3, a keychain 1.
> take cellphone 3 from dresser 1
You pick up the cellphone 3 from the dresser 1.
> go to bed 1
On the bed 1, you see a cellphone 2, a pillow 1.
> put cellphone 3 in/on bed 1
You put the cellphone 3 in/on the bed 1.
[collected: 2/2 — TASK COMPLETE]

Error Handling

• Object not at expected location: Mark location as searched, proceed to next receptacle
• "Nothing happened": The action syntax may be wrong; verify object name and receptacle
• Counter mismatch: Re-examine the target receptacle to confirm how many objects are already placed