stuck

name	stuck
description	Use when the agent is in a fix-retry loop, an error keeps recurring after multiple attempts, or the user says 'stuck', 'loop', 'going in circles', '/stuck'. Snapshot what was tried, surface to user, never silent-retry past 3 attempts.

Stuck — Loop / Dead-End Recovery

When to Use

• User says "stuck", "loop", "going in circles", "/stuck"
• Agent self-detects a loop:
  • Same error after 2nd fix attempt -> log warning, third attempt MAY proceed if a different angle is being tried
  • Same error after 3rd attempt -> STOP, invoke this skill
  • Same file edited 5+ times in one session for the same defect
• A test passes locally but fails in CI 2+ consecutive runs without a code change in between (likely flake — see CI-skill rules)

Workflow

1. Snapshot

Capture exact current state:

git status --porcelain
git diff --stat
git log --oneline -10

Plus:

• Last error message verbatim (no paraphrasing)
• Last 3 commands run and their exit codes
• Files touched in this loop

2. Attempt Log

Build an explicit list of what's been tried this session:

Attempt 1: <approach> -> <result>
Attempt 2: <approach> -> <result>
Attempt 3: <approach> -> <result>

If you can't articulate the attempts as distinct approaches -> that itself is the diagnosis (you've been trying the same thing).

3. Diagnose Loop Type

Pattern	Likely cause	Action
Same fix re-applied because tests still fail	Test is wrong, not the code	Question the test
Lint passes locally, fails in CI	Tooling-version drift	Pin versions, check .tool-versions / lockfile
Import / module-not-found that "should work"	Cache, build artifacts, stale lockfile	Clean caches, re-install deps
Type error surviving every cast	Wrong type model, not wrong cast	Step back, redesign types
Test flake (passes/fails non-deterministically)	Async race / shared state / clock dependency	Treat as flake -> BACKLOG.md
Network / external-API error	Unmocked external dep	Apply autonomy + zero-cost rule -- mock
Build infra (timeout / OOM / runner)	NOT a code defect	Surface to CI skill, do not "fix" code

4. Surface to User

Strict format:

Stuck -- escalating after <N> attempts on the same defect.

Snapshot:
- Branch: <branch>
- Last error: <verbatim, fenced>
- Files touched repeatedly: <list>

Attempts:
1. <approach> -> <result>
2. <approach> -> <result>
3. <approach> -> <result>

Diagnosis: <loop type from table above, OR "unknown -- pattern doesn't match">

Options for the user:
A) <concrete next-step option>
B) <alternative angle>
C) revert the loop work -- `/rollback`
D) defer to BACKLOG and move on

What would you like?

Then stop. Do NOT take a 4th attempt without user input.

4b. Unattended run -- same snapshot, no question

$CLAUDE_CODE_REMOTE=true (web/cloud session, routine runs included) means nobody will answer, and a run that ends on "What would you like?" is a run that ended on nothing (CLAUDE.md -> Autonomy). Same 3-attempt cap, same snapshot, different landing:

1. Write the snapshot and the options as one BACKLOG.md entry (agent_docs/backlog_process.md format), status Open.
2. Leave the loop work uncommitted, or /rollback it if it made the tree worse. Never commit a defect to get past it.
3. Continue with the parts of the task that do not depend on the stuck defect -- being blocked on one thing is not being blocked on everything.
4. End with the run's normal report, naming the defect, the backlog entry and what was finished around it.

Option D of the interactive format is the unattended default; A--C need a human and are recorded, not chosen.

Hard Rules

• 3-attempt cap on the same defect. No exceptions. The 4th try without user input is forbidden.
• Snapshot before escalating. No vague "I'm stuck" -- show evidence.
• Verbatim error messages. Never paraphrase the error when escalating.
• No silent retries. If you've tried X and it didn't work, say so.
• Loop work doesn't get committed silently. Either user picks a path or rollback the loop.
• Never end an unattended run with a question. Escalation there means step 4b: backlog entry plus report.

After User Response

• User picks a concrete option -> execute, with attempt counter reset for the new approach (not for the underlying defect).
• User asks for more info -> produce the requested data, do NOT take it as license to retry.
• User says "keep trying" -> ask once: "Same approach or a new angle? If same, I will stop after one more attempt." Then enforce that.