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99 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown
99 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: "Tool-loop detection"
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description: "Configure optional guardrails for preventing repetitive or stalled tool-call loops"
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read_when:
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- A user reports agents getting stuck repeating tool calls
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- You need to tune repetitive-call protection
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- You are editing agent tool/runtime policies
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---
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# Tool-loop detection
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OpenClaw can keep agents from getting stuck in repeated tool-call patterns.
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The guard is **disabled by default**.
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Enable it only where needed, because it can block legitimate repeated calls with strict settings.
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## Why this exists
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- Detect repetitive sequences that do not make progress.
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- Detect high-frequency no-result loops (same tool, same inputs, repeated errors).
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- Detect specific repeated-call patterns for known polling tools.
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## Configuration block
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Global defaults:
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```json5
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{
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tools: {
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loopDetection: {
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enabled: false,
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historySize: 20,
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detectorCooldownMs: 12000,
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repeatThreshold: 3,
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criticalThreshold: 6,
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detectors: {
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repeatedFailure: true,
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knownPollLoop: true,
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repeatingNoProgress: true,
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},
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},
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},
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}
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```
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Per-agent override (optional):
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```json5
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{
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agents: {
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list: [
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{
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id: "safe-runner",
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tools: {
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loopDetection: {
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enabled: true,
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repeatThreshold: 2,
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criticalThreshold: 5,
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},
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},
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},
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],
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},
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}
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```
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### Field behavior
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- `enabled`: Master switch. `false` means no loop detection is performed.
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- `historySize`: number of recent tool calls kept for analysis.
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- `detectorCooldownMs`: time window used by the no-progress detector.
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- `repeatThreshold`: minimum repeats before warning/blocking starts.
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- `criticalThreshold`: stronger threshold that can trigger stricter handling.
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- `detectors.repeatedFailure`: detects repeated failed attempts on the same call path.
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- `detectors.knownPollLoop`: detects known polling-like loops.
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- `detectors.repeatingNoProgress`: detects high-frequency repeated calls without state change.
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## Recommended setup
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- Start with `enabled: true`, defaults unchanged.
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- If false positives occur:
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- raise `repeatThreshold` and/or `criticalThreshold`
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- disable only the detector causing issues
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- reduce `historySize` for less strict historical context
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## Logs and expected behavior
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When a loop is detected, OpenClaw reports a loop event and blocks or dampens the next tool-cycle depending on severity.
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This protects users from runaway token spend and lockups while preserving normal tool access.
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- Prefer warning and temporary suppression first.
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- Escalate only when repeated evidence accumulates.
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## Notes
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- `tools.loopDetection` is merged with agent-level overrides.
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- Per-agent config fully overrides or extends global values.
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- If no config exists, guardrails stay off.
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