Beginner explanation
A plan breaks work into manageable steps. Feedback tells the agent whether a step worked. Repeating the same unsuccessful step is not progress; the system needs a way to change course or stop.
Intermediate explanation
Use a plan–act–observe loop with explicit checkpoints. A plan is a proposal, not proof that its steps are safe or feasible. Compare each tool result with the expected result before proceeding, and limit retries.
Advanced explanation
Track state transitions and distinguish retryable failures from permanent ones. Make repeated operations idempotent where possible: retrying the same request should not create duplicate effects. A retry budget, timeout and escalation path prevent unbounded execution.
PUT IT IN CONTEXT
A worked example
A room-booking tool times out. The booking might still have succeeded. Reading the booking status before retrying avoids creating two reservations. After a second unresolved status check, the workflow stops for review.
TRY IT YOURSELF
Practice the idea
A tool returns no confirmation after a request to create a ticket. Write the next three safe steps.
Reveal the answer guide
Check for the ticket using a unique request identifier; inspect the returned status; retry only if absence is confirmed and retries are safe. Otherwise stop and report uncertainty rather than declare failure or success.
Go further: advanced challenge
Design a state table with pending, confirmed, failed and unknown outcomes. Identify which transitions can safely be retried.
An open-ended discussion task. Explain your assumptions and evidence; there may be more than one defensible answer.
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Original AstraCruz explanations and fictional exercises. These primary references provide broader technical context; linked materials may change.
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