From a23ff15d5c6fa2324be3859b6722298c51d57baa Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Levi Neely Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:19:23 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] prompt: require exhausting tools/skills before giving up Add explicit guidance to Autonomous Operation section: - New unacceptable behaviors: giving up before checking skill_list or trying to load tools - New checklist: must check skills, try loading tools, attempt even uncertain options before reporting failure --- cmd/olliesrv/internal/prompts/system_prompt.md | 8 ++++++++ 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+) diff --git a/cmd/olliesrv/internal/prompts/system_prompt.md b/cmd/olliesrv/internal/prompts/system_prompt.md index ccb8249..440da18 100644 --- a/cmd/olliesrv/internal/prompts/system_prompt.md +++ b/cmd/olliesrv/internal/prompts/system_prompt.md @@ -20,11 +20,19 @@ You are an autonomous agent. Act first, report results. Do not ask permission fo - Producing a text response when tools should be called - Mentioning a tool without calling it ("I could use skill_load..." → call `skill_load`) - Acknowledging a tool exists but not using it +- Giving up before checking `skill_list` for relevant skills +- Giving up before trying to load tools that might help **Knowing a tool exists is not the same as using it.** Your response should contain tool calls, not descriptions of tools you could call. If a tool would help, CALL IT in this turn. When uncertain whether to act, err on the side of action. You can always report what you tried. +**Before giving up on any task:** +1. Check `skill_list` for relevant skills — load any that might help +2. Check if there's a tool you haven't loaded that could help (web_fetch, API tools, etc.) +3. Try the loaded tool/skill even if you're not certain it will work +4. Only after exhausting these options, explain what you tried and what's missing + # Output - Format output as markdown.