feat(v1.11.0): Research-Grounded OODA — the anti-maze methodology

.claude-plugin/plugin.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "ooda-loop",
   "displayName": "OODA-loop",
-  "version": "1.10.1",
+  "version": "1.11.0",
   "description": "An autonomous operations layer for your live side project. It watches, re-orients from which PRs you merge and reject, and opens small revertible PRs — bounded by a HALT file, protected paths, and a hard cost cap. Built on Boyd's OODA loop. You stay in command.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Taeil Ma",

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -8,6 +8,38 @@ independently. Bump there signals migration work for downstream projects.
 
 ---
 
+## [v1.11.0] — 2026-06-21
+
+### Added — Research-Grounded OODA (the anti-maze methodology)
+
+The f1 probe hit the classic failure: it **iterated without improving** (a
+local-optimum "maze") because generation was anchored to model priors, not
+external ground truth. A heavy external-research pass (graphics/physics/art +
+the methodology literature) produced a cited playbook AND this 5-part fix, each
+grounded in published work:
+
+- **Pre-generation research grounding (dev-cycle Step 3-PRE).** Before any
+  quality leap, resolve a reference (config.references / a researched playbook),
+  WebFetch the concrete block, derive acceptance criteria, THEN generate — and
+  record `grounded_in`. (AlphaCodium arXiv:2401.08500: a structured pre-stage
+  raised pass@5 19%→44%. AutoCodeRover; "concrete examples beat abstract specs".)
+- **Reference targets (config.references + config.research).** Named real-product
+  levels + reference-implementation URLs + a research playbook path; mirror into
+  principles.json as permanent memory.
+- **Reference comparison in the 5-G critic.** The critic names the ONE concrete
+  attribute of the reference the artifact lacks per axis (`per_axis_gap`) — an
+  actionable Observe signal, not "looks worse".
+- **Stall → REWRITE escalation (evolve 2-G + `recommend_rewrite()`).** When the
+  incremental LEAPS themselves stall (not just the artifact), escalate from patch
+  to a from-scratch REWRITE carrying a Reflexion (arXiv:2303.11366) negative-
+  example memo, BEFORE giving up to a HALT — the fix for the `sky.visible=false`
+  class (symptom patched on a wrong architecture).
+- **Diagnose/fix isolation on regression** (MASAI arXiv:2406.11638) noted for the
+  regression path.
+
+New deterministic helper `rubric_score.recommend_rewrite()` + test. verify.py
+63 → 64. plugin 1.10.1→1.11.0.
+
 ## [v1.10.1] — 2026-06-20
 
 ### Fixed/clarified — gate integrity (f1 probe, overnight)

config.example.json

@@ -310,8 +310,21 @@
       }
     }
   },
+  "references": {
+    "__doc__": "v1.11.0 (anti-maze) — REFERENCE TARGETS that ground the loop in external ground truth instead of model priors. dev-cycle Step 3-PRE resolves the reference for a technique, WebFetches the concrete block, derives acceptance criteria, THEN generates (AlphaCodium pattern). The 5-G critic scores AGAINST these (not the artifact's own past). Permanent: also mirror into agent/state/evolve/principles.json so they survive episode rollover. Populate per project with named real-product levels and reference-implementation URLs.",
+    "visual": "https://threejs.org/examples/webgl_materials_car.html",
+    "physics": "https://github.com/spacejack/carphysics2d/blob/master/public/js/Car.js",
+    "camera": "https://github.com/mrdoob/Starter-Kit-Racing/blob/main/js/Camera.js",
+    "quality_floor": 0.7
+  },
+  "research": {
+    "__doc__": "v1.11.0 — a researched, CITED knowledge base the loop reads before leaping (the missing external-knowledge input that breaks the 'iterate without improving' maze). Built by a heavy web-research pass (graphics/physics/art/methodology) distilled into an actionable, sourced playbook. dev-cycle Step 3-PRE prefers a concrete playbook move (technique + parameters + source URL) over the model's first idea.",
+    "playbook_path": "agent/state/research/playbook.md",
+    "refresh_when_stalled": true
+  },
   "leap": {
-    "__doc__": "Quantum-leap cycles (evolve Steps 2-G/3-K, v1.7.0) — the fix for monotonic incrementalism (RICE structurally forbids overhauls). When the artifact plateaus BELOW bar, the next cycle is forced into LEAP mode: it overhauls the weakest dimension (step-change, not a new feature), bypassing pure RICE via a gap-to-bar bonus, with a larger size budget and an ARTIFACT-improvement gate instead of the unit-test gate. Safety: min_dimension_delta must be cleared or the leap is reverted; max_attempts_per_dimension failures escalate to HALT; cost/day caps bound spend. v1.8.0: lock_until_bar keeps leaping the SAME dimension until it clears bar (drive-to-good, not detect-and-nudge).",
+    "__doc__": "Quantum-leap cycles (evolve Steps 2-G/3-K, v1.7.0) — the fix for monotonic incrementalism (RICE structurally forbids overhauls). When the artifact plateaus BELOW bar, the next cycle is forced into LEAP mode: it overhauls the weakest dimension (step-change, not a new feature), bypassing pure RICE via a gap-to-bar bonus, with a larger size budget and an ARTIFACT-improvement gate instead of the unit-test gate. Safety: min_dimension_delta must be cleared or the leap is reverted; max_attempts_per_dimension failures escalate to HALT; cost/day caps bound spend. v1.8.0: lock_until_bar keeps leaping the SAME dimension until it clears bar (drive-to-good, not detect-and-nudge). v1.11.0: rewrite_on_stall — when recommend_rewrite() fires (incremental leaps THEMSELVES stalled), escalate from patch to a from-scratch REWRITE carrying a Reflexion negative-example memo, instead of thrashing to HALT.",
+    "rewrite_on_stall": true,
     "max_lines": 1500,
     "min_dimension_delta": 0.05,
     "max_attempts_per_dimension": 2,

scripts/rubric_score.py

@@ -287,6 +287,35 @@ def asset_ceiling_hit(dimension: dict, score) -> bool:
     return ceil is not None and score is not None and score >= ceil
 
 
+def recommend_rewrite(outcomes: list, dimension: str, rubric: dict, min_failed: int = 2) -> dict:
+    """v1.11.0 stall → REWRITE escalation (the anti-maze fix).
+
+    `detect_plateau` says "the artifact stalled → do a LEAP". This says something
+    sharper: "the incremental LEAPS THEMSELVES have stalled — stop patching the
+    same approach, start over." True when the dimension is plateaued AND
+    >= `min_failed` incremental leaps on it already failed to clear the plateau
+    epsilon. The Reflect step then queues a from-scratch REWRITE (not another
+    same-architecture patch) carrying a negative-example memo of the stalled
+    approach — Reflexion (arXiv:2303.11366) verbal episodic memory so the next
+    attempt explicitly avoids what stalled. This is the fix for the
+    `sky.visible=false` class: a symptom patched cycle after cycle while the root
+    cause (wrong IBL source) is preserved — exactly the f1 'iterate without
+    improving' maze."""
+    pl = detect_plateau(outcomes, rubric)
+    if not pl.get("plateau"):
+        return {"rewrite": False, "failed_leaps": 0, "reason": "not plateaued"}
+    eps = rubric.get("plateau_eps", DEFAULT_PLATEAU_EPS)
+    fails = failed_leaps(outcomes, dimension, eps)
+    do = fails >= min_failed
+    return {
+        "rewrite": do,
+        "failed_leaps": fails,
+        "reason": (f"{fails} incremental leaps stalled on '{dimension}' (>= {min_failed}) "
+                   f"→ rewrite, don't patch") if do
+                  else f"incremental still viable ({fails} failed < {min_failed})",
+    }
+
+
 def lock_target(outcomes: list, rubric: dict, leap_target: str | None) -> str | None:
     """v1.8.0 dimension-lock: after a SUCCESSFUL leap whose target is still below
     (bar − eps), return that target so evolve 2-G keeps the plateau active on it

skills/dev-cycle/SKILL.md

@@ -196,8 +196,40 @@ Read context files before writing any code:
 3. Read `selected.source_domain` report (if referenced) to understand the
    motivation behind this action.
 
-Analyze what needs to change based on the action title and source report, then
-implement the changes (write and/or edit files).
+### Step 3-PRE: Research grounding (v1.11.0 — the anti-maze step)
+
+> **Why this exists.** The f1 dogfood proved the loop can "iterate without
+> improving" — a maze/local-optimum — when generation is anchored to the model's
+> own priors instead of to external ground truth. The fix (AlphaCodium
+> arXiv:2401.08500, which raised pass@5 19%→44% with a structured pre-generation
+> stage; AutoCodeRover; Simon Willison's "concrete examples beat abstract
+> requirements"): **ground every non-trivial change in an external reference
+> BEFORE writing code.** This is Boyd's Observe extended to the world's knowledge,
+> not just local state.
+
+For any leap / quality-improving / "make it better" action (skip for a trivial
+mechanical edit), BEFORE writing code:
+
+1. **Resolve a reference.** Read `config.references` (and `agent/state/research/*`
+   if present — a researched, cited playbook). Pick the reference target for this
+   technique/domain (e.g. a named real-product level, a reference implementation
+   URL, or a specific playbook move with its concrete API/parameters).
+2. **Fetch the concrete block.** WebFetch / curl the *specific* reference snippet
+   (the 30–50 lines that matter — the exact API calls, parameter values, order of
+   operations), not the whole repo. If a research playbook already contains the
+   cited concrete spec, use that.
+3. **Derive acceptance criteria** from the reference: "the implementation MUST
+   (a) call X with params Y, (b) produce effect Z visible at camera/probe C,
+   (c) not break the gate." Record them in the cycle's outcome as
+   `reference_block` + `acceptance_criteria`.
+4. **Only then generate** — implement the cited technique, adapting names to the
+   real code. The PR/outcome records WHICH reference grounded it (`grounded_in`).
+
+A leap with no `grounded_in` reference is a red flag for the maze: prefer
+researching a concrete approach over reaching for the model's first idea.
+
+Analyze what needs to change based on the action title, source report, **and the
+resolved reference block**, then implement the changes (write and/or edit files).
 
 **Protected paths enforcement:**
 

skills/evolve/SKILL.md

@@ -742,13 +742,38 @@ for the implementation/build domain that declares config.domains[d].quality_rubr
                   if a.dimension == p.leap_target
                      AND a.delta_score < config.leap.min_dimension_delta)
     if fails >= config.leap.max_attempts_per_dimension:
-      record skill_gap { name: "leap_stuck_{p.leap_target}", type:"quality_gap",
-        detail:"Leap on {p.leap_target} failed {fails}× without clearing min delta —
-                likely UNMEASURABLE by the current capture_method (see 5-G)." }
-      Create HALT: "Leap on '{p.leap_target}' failed {fails}× — human review needed:
-                    supply a richer capture_method/metrics harness for this
-                    dimension, or reweight the rubric. The loop cannot self-fix it."
-      set plateau_leap_blocked = true
+      -- STALL → REWRITE escalation (v1.11.0, the anti-maze fix). Before giving up
+      -- to a HALT, try ONE from-scratch REWRITE: repeated incremental leaps that
+      -- stall are the signature of the maze (a symptom patched on a wrong
+      -- architecture — the f1 `sky.visible=false` class). A patch can't escape;
+      -- a rewrite can. rubric_score.recommend_rewrite() confirms the stall.
+      rw = rubric_score.recommend_rewrite(outcomes.entries, p.leap_target, rubric,
+             min_failed = config.leap.max_attempts_per_dimension)
+      already_rewrote = any(e.cycle_mode == "rewrite" AND e.leap_target == p.leap_target
+                            for e in last config.leap.max_attempts_per_dimension outcomes)
+      if config.leap.rewrite_on_stall AND rw.rewrite AND not already_rewrote:
+        -- Reflexion (arXiv:2303.11366): carry a NEGATIVE-EXAMPLE memo so the
+        -- rewrite explicitly avoids the stalled approach, and re-ground it
+        -- (dev-cycle Step 3-PRE) in config.references / the research playbook —
+        -- the rewrite must implement a CITED reference technique, not re-guess.
+        write memo { type:"stall_detected", dimension:p.leap_target,
+          stalled_approach: summary of the last {fails} leaps' diffs,
+          instruction:"Start from scratch on {p.leap_target}. The incremental
+            approach stalled. Do NOT reuse it. Ground the rewrite in
+            config.references[{domain}] / the research playbook (Step 3-PRE)." }
+        set orient.plateau = { active:true, leap_target:p.leap_target, mode:"rewrite",
+          weakest_dimension:p.weakest_dimension, artifact_score:p.latest,
+          reason:"incremental stalled → grounded REWRITE" }
+        Print "[Orient] ♻️ STALL→REWRITE: incremental leaps on '{p.leap_target}' stalled {fails}×. Next cycle REWRITES from a cited reference (not another patch)."
+      else:
+        record skill_gap { name: "leap_stuck_{p.leap_target}", type:"quality_gap",
+          detail:"Leap+rewrite on {p.leap_target} failed without clearing min delta —
+                  likely UNMEASURABLE by the current capture_method (see 5-G)." }
+        Create HALT: "Leap+rewrite on '{p.leap_target}' stalled — human review needed:
+                      supply a richer capture_method/metrics harness or authored
+                      assets (asset_sources) for this dimension, or reweight the
+                      rubric. The loop cannot self-fix it."
+        set plateau_leap_blocked = true
     else:
       set orient.plateau = { active:true, leap_target:p.leap_target,
                              weakest_dimension:p.weakest_dimension,
@@ -1907,9 +1932,17 @@ verdict = critic(
            'it exists and works' result is ~0.10 (score_0.10), NOT 0.5+. Worse than
            score_0.10 → below 0.10. Do not grade on a curve where 'a decent
            prototype' = good. ---
-           Score null only if the evidence is null. Output
-           {dimension_scores:{axis:score|null}, weakest_dimension, critique(<=30 words)}.",
-  input:  { mission, rubric.dimensions (with reference anchors), evidence: dim_artifact }
+           --- REFERENCE COMPARISON (v1.11.0): you are also given `references` (the
+           reference target for this domain — a named real product and/or a
+           reference-implementation screenshot/spec). For each axis state the ONE
+           concrete attribute of the reference the artifact most lacks (name a
+           specific technique/parameter, e.g. 'no clearcoat on paint', 'camera has
+           no speed lead', 'tyres show no slip'). That gap-naming is the primary
+           Observe signal that drives the next leap — vague 'looks worse' is not
+           actionable; 'lacks X that reference has' is. ---
+           Score null only if the evidence is null. Output {dimension_scores:{axis:
+           score|null}, weakest_dimension, per_axis_gap:{axis:'lacks X'}, critique(<=30 words)}.",
+  input:  { mission, rubric.dimensions (with reference anchors), config.references, evidence: dim_artifact }
 ) -> { dimension_scores, weakest_dimension, critique }
 
 -- ASSET CEILING + HAND-OFF (v1.9.0 → v1.10.0). For the targeted dimension, after

tests/verify.py

@@ -752,6 +752,24 @@ def _mod(name, fn):
         f"with-assets ceiling={R.asset_ceiling(with_assets)} hit@0.36={R.asset_ceiling_hit(with_assets,0.36)}",
     )
 
+    # 13) v1.11.0 stall→REWRITE: when the artifact is plateaued AND the incremental
+    # LEAPS themselves keep failing, escalate from patch to rewrite (the anti-maze
+    # fix — the f1 'iterate without improving' loop). Plateaued-but-leaps-working
+    # stays on incremental (leap, don't rewrite).
+    rubRW = R.rubric_of({"quality_rubric": {"bar": 0.65, "plateau_window": 3,
+        "plateau_eps": 0.05, "dimensions": [{"name": "v", "weight": 1}]}})
+    stalled = [{"artifact_score": 0.50, "weakest_dimension": "v", "dimension_scores": {"v": 0.50},
+                "cycle_mode": "leap", "leap_attempts": [{"dimension": "v", "delta_score": 0.01}]}] * 3
+    viable = [{"artifact_score": 0.50, "weakest_dimension": "v", "dimension_scores": {"v": 0.50},
+               "cycle_mode": "leap", "leap_attempts": [{"dimension": "v", "delta_score": 0.10}]}] * 3
+    rw_s = R.recommend_rewrite(stalled, "v", rubRW)
+    rw_v = R.recommend_rewrite(viable, "v", rubRW)
+    r.check(
+        "artifact-axis: stalled incremental leaps escalate to REWRITE; working leaps stay incremental (v1.11.0)",
+        rw_s["rewrite"] is True and rw_s["failed_leaps"] >= 2 and rw_v["rewrite"] is False,
+        f"stalled→{rw_s}; viable→{rw_v}",
+    )
+
 
 def main() -> int:
     r = Runner()