Agent Self-Recovery

State file: ~/.openclaw/skill-state/agent-self-recovery/state.yaml

Signs You're Stuck

• Tried the same approach 3+ times with the same result
• Making changes that feel random rather than targeted
• Lost track of the original goal
• Taking longer than expected on a 'simple' step

Recovery Protocol

Step 1: Stop

Stop making changes. No more quick tries.

Step 2: Write State

Write to the state file:

• what_trying: what were you trying to do?
• what_tried: append this latest approach to the list
• loop_type: name the pattern (see Step 3)
• attempts: increment by 1
• status: recovering
• started_at: current timestamp (first time only)

Step 3: Name the Loop

Pick the loop_type:

• same-fix-variations — trying the same fix with minor changes
• cascading-dependencies — each fix reveals a new dependency
• unclear-error — unclear what the actual error is
• lost-goal — lost track of original requirement

Step 4: Break the Loop

If loop_type: unclear-error → use systematic-debugging first. If loop_type: lost-goal → re-read the original requirement. If genuinely blocked → document clearly, ask the user. Update state status: escalated. If context too large → use context-window-management. If truly lost → use task-handoff, ask user to redirect. Update state status: escalated.

Step 5: Resume with a New Approach

Choose a genuinely different approach. Update state last_approach, append to what_tried. On success: update state status: recovered.