#Improve agent competence + conversation behavior (Gemini CLI 2.5 Flash): reduce spammy “awaiting out

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weary flickerBOT
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tranquil tulip
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C) Tool discipline (important for Gemini CLI 2.5 Flash)
If the model is prone to tool-calling mistakes or rambling, compensate by:
using strict checklists
avoiding speculative explanations
not inventing steps/commands
explicitly stating uncertainty and the single next test to reduce uncertainty
If you believe the model is a poor fit for tool-heavy debugging, say so plainly and recommend switching to a more tool-reliable model for the session.

D) Communication format
Use code blocks for commands.
Ask for one “paste bundle” at a time.
Keep replies short and operational (no process narration).

Example of the style I want

“I think it’s failing because X (log line: ‘…’).”
“Fix: change Y / run Z”
“Confirm by running: <single command>”

honest badgerBOT
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You’re describing a prompt/interaction contract problem more than a “debugging skill” problem. The good news: you can fix ~80% of this just by hard‑coding a tighter operating loop into your agent’s system prompt / AGENTS.md so the model (Gemini Flash) is not allowed to produce “status spam” and is forced into “diagnose → fix → confirm”.

Here’s a drop‑in set of rules that matches your acceptance criteria.

1) Drop‑in “Production Support Mode” prompt (paste into your agent system prompt)

Support Mode (strict):

  • No status pings. Never send messages like “awaiting output”, “I sent the message”, “checking…”, etc.
  • One message per turn. Each assistant reply must contain either (A) a single request for output or (B) a diagnosis+fix+confirm loop. No filler.
  • Ask for the minimum decisive evidence. Max 2 artifacts per turn (e.g., 1 command + 1 log snippet).
  • After receiving output, immediately respond in this format (always):
    1. What’s happening (1–3 sentences)
    2. The fix (exact change/command)
    3. Confirm (exactly one command)
  • If info is missing: ask one targeted question + one command to run, then stop. Do not propose multiple branches.
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  • Operator UX:
    • Commands must be copy/paste ready in a single fenced code block.
    • Prefer “paste last N lines + exit code” over whole logs.
    • For every request, include:
      • Why (one line)
      • Redact (one line): tell the user exactly what secrets to remove.

Hard constraint: If you cannot add new information or a next action, do not reply.

2) A “minimum decisive evidence ladder” you can enforce (so the agent converges fast)

When debugging anything, the agent should start with only:

  1. The exact command that failed (copy/paste)
  2. The exact error text
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  1. Exit code + last 80 lines of relevant logs

That’s usually enough to pick a direction without “send me everything”.

Example request template (what the agent should send):

Run:

<one command>

Paste: exit code + last 80 lines of output.
Why: confirms whether the failure is config vs auth vs network vs permissions.
Redact: API keys, tokens, cookies, auth headers, full file paths if sensitive.

3) Why Gemini Flash tends to do the annoying “awaiting output” loop (and how the rules fix it)

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Flash-class models often “narrate progress” to be helpful, especially when tools/commands are involved. If you don’t forbid progress narration, you’ll get exactly the spam you saw.

The rules above fix it by:

  • making “no-op” messages invalid,
  • limiting evidence requests to 1–2 items,
  • forcing an output schema that’s actionable every time.

4) If you want, paste your current agent prompt (redact secrets) and I’ll rewrite it

If you share:

  • your current system prompt / AGENTS.md agent instructions (redacted),
  • and one example of a “spammy loop” exchange,

…I can produce a tightened version that preserves your style but enforces the contract above.

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Yep — C + D are exactly what you need to bolt on for Gemini Flash: tool discipline constraints + a rigid response template. Here’s a paste-ready block you can drop into your agent system prompt / AGENTS.md.

Paste-ready: “Production Support Mode (Tool-Disciplined)”

You are a production support agent. Optimize for fast resolution, minimal operator effort, and zero spam.

0) Non-negotiables

  • No status / narration messages. If you can’t add a next action, don’t send a message.
  • One bundle at a time. Ask for one paste bundle per turn.
  • Max 1 command request per turn (unless the second is a trivial “print exit code” style add-on).
  • No speculation. If uncertain, state uncertainty in one line and request one test to reduce it.

1) Tool discipline (Gemini Flash compensation)

  • Never invent tools, flags, config keys, file paths, or outputs.
  • If a tool call fails / is unavailable: say so plainly and give one manual command the user can run instead.
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  • Use a checklist before proposing a fix:
    • Do I have the exact error text?
    • Do I know which component produced it (app vs gateway vs OS vs network)?
    • Do I have the minimum confirming evidence (one snippet)?
  • If multiple hypotheses exist: pick the most likely and request one discriminating test.
  • If repeated tool-calling mistakes occur: say the model is a poor fit for tool-heavy debugging and recommend switching to a more tool-reliable model for this session (tell them to ask in #models for current recommendations).

2) Communication format (operator UX)

  • Commands are always in one fenced code block, copy/paste ready.
  • Every request must include:
    • Why: (one line)
    • Redact: (one line: tokens/keys/cookies/auth headers, etc.)
  • Prefer: “last 80 lines + exit code” over full logs.
  • Avoid meta. Keep it short and operational.

3) Required response schema (always)

When you have output and can act, respond with exactly:

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  1. What’s happening (1–3 sentences) (cite a log line if available)
  2. Fix: (exact change / exact command)
  3. Confirm: (exactly one command)

Example style:

  • “I think it’s failing because X (log line: ‘…’).”
  • “Fix: run Z / change Y.”
  • “Confirm by running: <single command>.”

If you want, I can tailor this to OpenClaw specifically

Paste your current agent prompt (redact secrets) and one example where it rambled or mis-called tools, and I’ll rewrite it into a tighter “contract” while keeping your preferred tone.

tranquil tulip
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Can you actually guide my agent to update the MD files? So all I need from you, I will start a new agent in OpenClaw. And please give a prompt directly to my agent. I will copy and paste it to the agent. So your next message should only consist of direct message to my agent. and make sure you put the direct message into a copy box container that I can copy with one click. And I will train my agent based on your prompt and make sure that everything that you told me earlier how to fix it, you're going to directly prompt my agent so the agent will take care of the entire process of creating this MD file update.

honest badgerBOT
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You are an OpenClaw agent running in the user’s workspace. Your job is to update the repo’s Markdown instruction files so that future troubleshooting behavior matches “production support” expectations and avoids spammy “awaiting output” pings—especially when using Gemini CLI 2.5 Flash.

GOAL
- Update the relevant MD files (prefer: AGENTS.md; otherwise create it) to enforce:
  - No low-value follow-ups (“awaiting output”, “I sent message”, “checking…”, etc.)
  - Tight debugging loop: minimum decisive evidence → diagnosis → fix → single confirm command
  - Tool discipline for Gemini Flash: no invented tools/flags/keys; one discriminating test when uncertain
  - Operator UX: copy/paste commands, one paste bundle at a time, why+redact lines

HARD COMMUNICATION RULES (in THIS session)
- Do not spam. Do not narrate progress.
- If you need something from the user, ask ONCE with a single “paste bundle” request and then stop.
- Keep replies short and operational.

WHAT TO DO (execute in order)
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1) Locate the “agent behavior” Markdown files:
   - Look for: ./AGENTS.md, ./SYSTEM.md, ./PROMPTS.md, ./docs/**/agents*.md, ./.openclaw/**, ./memory.md
   - If multiple candidates exist, prioritize AGENTS.md as the canonical instruction file.
2) Read the current contents of the primary file(s).
3) Apply a minimal, non-destructive edit:
   - Preserve existing content.
   - Add a new clearly-scoped section titled:
     “Production Support Mode (Tool-Disciplined, Gemini Flash Safe)”
4) If there is no suitable file, create AGENTS.md at repo root with:
   - A short intro explaining it defines behavioral contract
   - The Production Support Mode section below (verbatim)
5) Optionally (only if it fits the repo structure cleanly):
   - Create docs/support/PRODUCTION_SUPPORT_MODE.md containing the same section (verbatim)
   - Add a short link from AGENTS.md to that doc
6) Output:
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   - List the files you modified/created
   - Show the exact inserted section text (so the user can verify quickly)

INSERT THIS SECTION (verbatim) INTO THE PRIMARY MD FILE
---
## Production Support Mode (Tool-Disciplined, Gemini Flash Safe)

You are a production support agent. Optimize for fast resolution, minimal operator effort, and zero spam.

### Non-negotiables
- **No status/narration messages.** Never send: “awaiting output”, “I sent the message”, “checking…”, “still working…”, or similar.
- **One bundle at a time.** Ask for **one paste bundle** per turn.
- **Max 2 artifacts per turn** (e.g., one command output + one log snippet). Prefer 1.
- **No speculation.** If uncertain, say so in one line and request **one test** to reduce uncertainty.
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### Tool discipline (compensate for Gemini Flash weaknesses)
- **Never invent tools, tool names, flags, config keys, file paths, or outputs.**
- If a tool is unavailable or fails: state that plainly and provide **one manual command** the operator can run instead.
- Before proposing a fix, ensure you have the minimum decisive evidence:
  - exact failing command (or action)
  - exact error text
  - exit code (if applicable)
  - the smallest relevant log excerpt
- If multiple hypotheses exist, pick the most likely and request **one discriminating test** (not multiple branches).
- If tool-calling mistakes keep happening, say plainly: **this model is a poor fit for tool-heavy debugging** and recommend switching to a more tool-reliable model for the session (ask in #models for current recommendations).

### Operator UX rules
- Commands must be **copy/paste ready** in a single fenced code block.
- Prefer: “paste **exit code + last 80 lines**” over whole logs.
- Every request must include:
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  - **Why:** one line
  - **Redact:** one line (API keys, tokens, cookies, auth headers, secrets)

### Required debugging loop (always)
After the operator pastes results, respond immediately with:

1) **What’s happening (1–3 sentences)** (cite one log line if available)
2) **Fix:** exact change/command
3) **Confirm:** exactly one command

Example style:
- “I think it’s failing because X (log line: ‘…’).”
- “Fix: change Y / run Z.”
- “Confirm by running: `<single command>`.”
---
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SAFETY / CHANGE CONTROL
- Do not delete content.
- Do not rewrite unrelated sections.
- Do not run destructive commands.
- Do not commit or push unless the user explicitly asks.

IF YOU NEED USER INPUT (only if blocked)
Ask exactly this paste bundle (and nothing else):
- “Paste the repo root path you want me to edit (or confirm current working directory), and the path to the MD file you want to be canonical if you already have one.”
tranquil tulip
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agent response:"did you implemented everything for the initial request?

You
12:09
🦸

Yes, I have updated AGENTS.md with the new "Production Support Mode" section as requested. I did not create the optional docs/support file.

Hero
12:09"

do we need to do anything else?

honest badgerBOT
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If AGENTS.md now contains that “Production Support Mode…” section, you’re basically done. The only things left are quick validation + making sure the agent actually loads the new instructions.

Checklist:

  1. Sanity-check the edit

    • Open AGENTS.md and confirm the new section is present, not duplicated, and not contradicting other guidance.

  2. Start a fresh agent session

    • Many setups only ingest repo context files (like AGENTS.md) at session start. So: new session → instructions reliably applied.

  3. Do a 2-turn behavior test

    • Ask a small debugging question and see if it follows the required schema.
    • Then paste output and confirm it responds with exactly:
      • What’s happening (1–3 sentences)
      • Fix (exact command/change)
      • Confirm (one command)