checkpoint-mode

# Checkpoint Mode Skill ## Overview Implements **selective autonomy** - shorter bursts of autonomous work with feedback loops. **Research Source:** "Use Agents or Be Left Behind" by Tim Dettmers --- ## Philosophy > "More than 90% of code should be written by agents, but iteratively design systems with shorter bursts of autonomy with feedback loops." > — Tim Dettmers, 2026 **Problem with Perpetual Autonomy:** - Can waste resources on wrong approach - No opportunity for course correction - User feels disconnected from progress **Solution:** - Pause after N tasks or M minutes - Generate summary of accomplishments - Wait for explicit approval to continue --- ## When to Use ### Use Checkpoint Mode For: - **Novel projects** where approach may need adjustment - **High-cost operations** (expensive API calls, cloud resources) - **Learning phases** where user wants to guide direction - **Regulated environments** requiring audit trail ### Use Perpetual Mode For: - **Well-defined PRDs** with clear requirements - **Established patterns** with high confidence - **Overnight builds** where interruption isn't desired - **CI/CD pipelines** requiring full automation --- ## Configuration ```bash # Enable checkpoint mode LOKI_AUTONOMY_MODE=checkpoint # Pause frequency LOKI_CHECKPOINT_FREQUENCY=10 # tasks LOKI_CHECKPOINT_TIME=60 # minutes # Always pause after these phases LOKI_CHECKPOINT_PHASES="architecture,deployment" ``` --- ## Checkpoint Workflow ``` [Work on 10 tasks] → [Pause] → [Generate Summary] → [Wait for Approval] ↓ [User reviews and approves] ↓ [Resume work] ``` ### On Checkpoint: 1. **Generate Summary** ```markdown # Checkpoint Summary ## Tasks Completed (10) - Implemented POST /api/todos endpoint - Added unit tests (95% coverage) - Set up CI/CD pipeline - ... ## Next Actions - Deploy to staging - Run integration tests - Security audit ## Resources Used - 15 minutes elapsed - 3 Haiku agents, 2 Sonnet agents - Estimated cost: $0.45 ``` 2. **Create Approval Signal** ```bash # System writes: .loki/signals/CHECKPOINT_SUMMARY_2026-01-14-10-30.md # User reviews and creates: .loki/signals/CHECKPOINT_APPROVED ``` 3. **Wait for Approval** - Orchestrator pauses execution - Monitors for approval signal - Resumes when signal detected --- ## Agent Instructions (Orchestrator) When `LOKI_AUTONOMY_MODE=checkpoint`: ```python completed_tasks = load_completed_tasks() tasks_since_checkpoint = completed_tasks - last_checkpoint_count if tasks_since_checkpoint >= CHECKPOINT_FREQUENCY: # Pause and generate summary summary = generate_checkpoint_summary() write_signal("CHECKPOINT_SUMMARY", summary) # Wait for approval log_info("Waiting for checkpoint approval...") while not signal_exists("CHECKPOINT_APPROVED"): sleep(5) # Resume work remove_signal("CHECKPOINT_APPROVED") log_info("Checkpoint approved. Resuming work...") last_checkpoint_count = completed_tasks ``` --- ## Comparison with Other Modes | Mode | Best For | Approval Frequency | Use Case | |------|----------|-------------------|----------| | **Perpetual** | Overnight builds | Never | Fully automated CI/CD | | **Checkpoint** | Novel projects | Every 10 tasks | Learning new domain | | **Supervised** | Critical systems | Every task | Production deployments | --- ## Metrics Track checkpoint effectiveness: ```json { "checkpoint_id": "cp-2026-01-14-001", "tasks_completed": 10, "time_elapsed_minutes": 15, "approval_time_seconds": 45, "course_corrections": 0, "user_satisfaction": "approved_without_changes" } ``` Storage: `.loki/metrics/checkpoint-mode/` --- ## References - `references/production-patterns.md` - HN production insights - [timdettmers.com/use-agents-or-be-left-behind](https://timdettmers.com/2026/01/13/use-agents-or-be-left-behind/) --- **Version:** 1.0.0