Enforce rulespec creation with plan_write for new plans

Solves the tautology problem where the LLM would write invariants after
implementation, making them match what was done rather than constrain it.

Changes:
- plan_write now accepts 'rulespec' parameter
- New plans REQUIRE rulespec (fails with helpful error if missing)
- Plan updates don't require rulespec (backward compatible)
- Rulespec is parsed, validated, and written atomically with plan
- Updated system prompt with clear examples for new vs update
- Updated tool definition schema
- Updated all affected tests

New flow: task → plan+rulespec → user reviews BOTH → approve → implement
This commit is contained in:
Dhanji R. Prasanna
2026-02-05 21:12:02 +11:00
parent 085688479b
commit 7e2d9bc22c
6 changed files with 174 additions and 56 deletions

View File

@@ -58,8 +58,10 @@ Short description for providers without native calling specs:
- Example: {\"tool\": \"plan_read\", \"args\": {}} - Example: {\"tool\": \"plan_read\", \"args\": {}}
- **plan_write**: Create or update the Plan with YAML content - **plan_write**: Create or update the Plan with YAML content
- Format: {\"tool\": \"plan_write\", \"args\": {\"plan\": \"plan_id: my-plan\\nitems: [...]\"}} - Format: {\"tool\": \"plan_write\", \"args\": {\"plan\": \"plan_id: my-plan\\nitems: [...]\", \"rulespec\": \"claims: [...]\\npredicates: [...]\"}}
- Example: {\"tool\": \"plan_write\", \"args\": {\"plan\": \"plan_id: feature-x\\nitems:\\n - id: I1\\n description: Add feature\\n state: todo\\n touches: [src/lib.rs]\\n checks:\\n happy: {desc: Works, target: lib}\\n negative:\\n - {desc: Errors, target: lib}\\n boundary:\\n - {desc: Edge, target: lib}\"}} - For NEW plans, rulespec is REQUIRED. For updates, it's optional.
- Example (new plan): {\"tool\": \"plan_write\", \"args\": {\"plan\": \"plan_id: feature-x\\nitems:\\n - id: I1\\n description: Add feature\\n state: todo\\n touches: [src/lib.rs]\\n checks:\\n happy: {desc: Works, target: lib}\\n negative:\\n - {desc: Errors, target: lib}\\n boundary:\\n - {desc: Edge, target: lib}\", \"rulespec\": \"claims:\\n - name: feature\\n selector: feature.done\\npredicates:\\n - claim: feature\\n rule: exists\\n source: task_prompt\"}}
- Example (update): {\"tool\": \"plan_write\", \"args\": {\"plan\": \"plan_id: feature-x\\nitems:\\n - id: I1\\n state: done\\n evidence: [src/lib.rs:42]\\n notes: Implemented\"}}
- **plan_approve**: Approve the current plan revision (called by user) - **plan_approve**: Approve the current plan revision (called by user)
- Format: {\"tool\": \"plan_approve\", \"args\": {}} - Format: {\"tool\": \"plan_approve\", \"args\": {}}

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@@ -199,13 +199,17 @@ fn create_core_tools() -> Vec<Tool> {
tools.push(Tool { tools.push(Tool {
name: "plan_write".to_string(), name: "plan_write".to_string(),
description: "Create or update the Plan for this session. Provide plan as YAML with plan_id and items array. See system prompt for full schema (items need: id, description, state, touches, checks with happy/negative/boundary). Evidence and notes required when marking done.".to_string(), description: "Create or update the Plan for this session. For NEW plans, you MUST provide both 'plan' and 'rulespec' arguments. The rulespec defines invariants (constraints that must/must not hold) extracted from the task and memory. For plan UPDATES, rulespec is optional.".to_string(),
input_schema: json!({ input_schema: json!({
"type": "object", "type": "object",
"properties": { "properties": {
"plan": { "plan": {
"type": "string", "type": "string",
"description": "The plan as YAML. Must include plan_id and items array." "description": "The plan as YAML. Must include plan_id and items array."
},
"rulespec": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The rulespec as YAML with claims and predicates. REQUIRED for new plans, optional for updates. Defines invariants from task_prompt and memory."
} }
}, },
"required": ["plan"] "required": ["plan"]

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@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ use crate::ToolCall;
use super::executor::ToolContext; use super::executor::ToolContext;
use super::invariants::{format_envelope_markdown, format_rulespec_markdown, get_envelope_path, get_rulespec_path, read_envelope, read_rulespec}; use super::invariants::{format_envelope_markdown, format_rulespec_markdown, get_envelope_path, get_rulespec_path, read_envelope, read_rulespec, write_rulespec, Rulespec};
// ============================================================================ // ============================================================================
// Plan Schema // Plan Schema
@@ -845,14 +845,57 @@ pub async fn execute_plan_write<W: UiWriter>(
None => return Ok("❌ Missing 'plan' argument. Provide the plan as YAML.".to_string()), None => return Ok("❌ Missing 'plan' argument. Provide the plan as YAML.".to_string()),
}; };
// Get optional rulespec content from args
let rulespec_yaml = tool_call.args.get("rulespec").and_then(|v| v.as_str());
// Parse the YAML // Parse the YAML
let mut plan: Plan = match serde_yaml::from_str(plan_yaml) { let mut plan: Plan = match serde_yaml::from_str(plan_yaml) {
Ok(p) => p, Ok(p) => p,
Err(e) => return Ok(format!("❌ Invalid plan YAML: {}", e)), Err(e) => return Ok(format!("❌ Invalid plan YAML: {}", e)),
}; };
// Load existing plan to preserve approved_revision and increment revision // Load existing plan to check if this is a new plan or an update
if let Some(existing) = read_plan(session_id)? { let existing_plan = read_plan(session_id)?;
let is_new_plan = existing_plan.is_none();
// For NEW plans, rulespec is REQUIRED
// This prevents the tautology problem where invariants are written after implementation
if is_new_plan && rulespec_yaml.is_none() {
return Ok("❌ Missing 'rulespec' argument. New plans MUST include a rulespec with invariants.\n\n\
The rulespec defines constraints that MUST or MUST NOT hold, extracted from:\n\
- task_prompt: What the user explicitly requires\n\
- memory: Persistent rules from workspace memory\n\n\
Example rulespec:\n\
```yaml\n\
claims:\n\
- name: feature_capabilities\n\
selector: \"feature.capabilities\"\n\
predicates:\n\
- claim: feature_capabilities\n\
rule: contains\n\
value: \"required_feature\"\n\
source: task_prompt\n\
notes: \"User explicitly requested this\"\n\
```".to_string());
}
// Parse and validate rulespec if provided
let rulespec: Option<Rulespec> = if let Some(yaml) = rulespec_yaml {
match serde_yaml::from_str(yaml) {
Ok(r) => {
let rs: Rulespec = r;
if let Err(e) = rs.validate() {
return Ok(format!("❌ Invalid rulespec: {}", e));
}
Some(rs)
}
Err(e) => return Ok(format!("❌ Invalid rulespec YAML: {}", e)),
}
} else {
None
};
if let Some(existing) = existing_plan {
// Preserve approved_revision from existing plan // Preserve approved_revision from existing plan
plan.approved_revision = existing.approved_revision; plan.approved_revision = existing.approved_revision;
// Increment revision // Increment revision
@@ -888,17 +931,23 @@ pub async fn execute_plan_write<W: UiWriter>(
return Ok(format!("❌ Failed to write plan: {}", e)); return Ok(format!("❌ Failed to write plan: {}", e));
} }
// Write the rulespec if provided (atomically with plan)
if let Some(ref rs) = rulespec {
if let Err(e) = write_rulespec(session_id, rs) {
return Ok(format!("❌ Failed to write rulespec: {}", e));
}
}
// Display the plan in compact format // Display the plan in compact format
let plan_path = get_plan_path(session_id); let plan_path = get_plan_path(session_id);
let plan_path_str = plan_path.to_string_lossy().to_string(); let plan_path_str = plan_path.to_string_lossy().to_string();
let yaml = serde_yaml::to_string(&plan)?; let yaml = serde_yaml::to_string(&plan)?;
ctx.ui_writer.print_plan_compact(Some(&yaml), Some(&plan_path_str), true); ctx.ui_writer.print_plan_compact(Some(&yaml), Some(&plan_path_str), true);
// Read and format rulespec if it exists // Format rulespec section - use provided rulespec or read from disk
let rulespec_section = match read_rulespec(session_id) { let rulespec_section = match rulespec.as_ref().or(read_rulespec(session_id).ok().flatten().as_ref()) {
Ok(Some(rulespec)) => format_rulespec_markdown(&rulespec), Some(rs) => format_rulespec_markdown(rs),
Ok(None) => "\n_No rulespec generated._\n".to_string(), None => "\n_No rulespec defined._\n".to_string(),
Err(_) => "\n_No rulespec generated._\n".to_string(),
}; };
// Read and format envelope if it exists // Read and format envelope if it exists

View File

@@ -621,6 +621,15 @@ items:
boundary: boundary:
- desc: Edge cases - desc: Edge cases
target: test::module"# target: test::module"#
,
"rulespec": r#"claims:
- name: test_feature
selector: test.done
predicates:
- claim: test_feature
rule: exists
source: task_prompt
notes: Test invariant"#
}), }),
}; };
let write_result = agent.execute_tool(&write_call).await.unwrap(); let write_result = agent.execute_tool(&write_call).await.unwrap();

View File

@@ -425,6 +425,14 @@ items:
boundary: boundary:
- desc: Edge - desc: Edge
target: test"# target: test"#
,
"rulespec": r#"claims:
- name: test_feature
selector: test.done
predicates:
- claim: test_feature
rule: exists
source: task_prompt"#
}), }),
); );
@@ -479,6 +487,14 @@ items:
happy: {desc: Works, target: test} happy: {desc: Works, target: test}
negative: [{desc: Errors, target: test}] negative: [{desc: Errors, target: test}]
boundary: [{desc: Edge, target: test}]"# boundary: [{desc: Edge, target: test}]"#
,
"rulespec": r#"claims:
- name: approval_test
selector: test.approved
predicates:
- claim: approval_test
rule: exists
source: task_prompt"#
}), }),
); );
agent.execute_tool(&write_call).await.unwrap(); agent.execute_tool(&write_call).await.unwrap();

View File

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Plan Mode is a cognitive forcing system that prevents:
## Workflow ## Workflow
1. **Draft**: Call `plan_read` to check for existing plan, then `plan_write` to create/update 1. **Draft**: Call `plan_read` to check for existing plan, then `plan_write` with BOTH plan AND rulespec
2. **Approval**: Ask user to approve before starting work ("'approve', or edit plan?"). In non-interactive mode (autonomous/one-shot), plans auto-approve on write. 2. **Approval**: Ask user to approve before starting work ("'approve', or edit plan?"). In non-interactive mode (autonomous/one-shot), plans auto-approve on write.
3. **Execute**: Implement items, updating plan with `plan_write` to mark progress 3. **Execute**: Implement items, updating plan with `plan_write` to mark progress
4. **Complete**: When all items are done/blocked, verification runs automatically 4. **Complete**: When all items are done/blocked, verification runs automatically
@@ -56,46 +56,16 @@ When drafting a plan, you MUST:
- Keep items ~7 by default - Keep items ~7 by default
- Commit to where the work will live (touches) - Commit to where the work will live (touches)
- Provide all three checks (happy, negative, boundary) - Provide all three checks (happy, negative, boundary)
- **Include rulespec with invariants** (required for new plans)
When updating a plan: When updating a plan:
- Cannot remove items from an approved plan (mark as blocked instead) - Cannot remove items from an approved plan (mark as blocked instead)
- Must provide evidence and notes when marking item as done - Must provide evidence and notes when marking item as done
- Rulespec is optional for updates (already saved from initial creation)
## Example Plan Item ## Invariants (Rulespec)
```yaml For all NEW plans, you MUST extract invariants and provide them as the `rulespec` argument to `plan_write`.
- id: I1
description: "Add CSV import for comic book metadata"
state: todo
touches: ["src/import", "src/library"]
checks:
happy:
desc: "Valid CSV imports 3 comics"
target: "import::csv"
negative:
- desc: "Missing column errors with MissingColumn"
target: "import::csv"
- desc: "Malformed row errors with ParseError"
target: "import::csv"
boundary:
- desc: "Empty file yields empty import without error"
target: "import::csv"
- desc: "File with only headers yields empty import"
target: "import::csv"
```
When done, add evidence and notes:
```yaml
state: done
evidence:
- "src/import/csv.rs:42-118"
- "tests/import_csv.rs::test_valid_csv"
notes: "Extended existing parser instead of creating duplicate"
```
## Invariants
For all plans, you MUST extract invariants from each task and write them as a **rulespec**.
### What are Invariants? ### What are Invariants?
@@ -105,8 +75,6 @@ Invariants are constraints that MUST or MUST NOT hold. Extract them from:
### Rulespec Structure ### Rulespec Structure
Write invariants as a `rulespec.yaml` file with claims and predicates:
```yaml ```yaml
claims: claims:
- name: csv_capabilities - name: csv_capabilities
@@ -136,9 +104,84 @@ predicates:
- `greater_than` / `less_than`: Numeric comparisons - `greater_than` / `less_than`: Numeric comparisons
- `matches`: Regex pattern match - `matches`: Regex pattern match
### Action Envelope ## Example: Creating a New Plan
As the FINAL step, write an `envelope.yaml` with facts about completed work: When creating a NEW plan, call `plan_write` with BOTH arguments:
```
plan_write(
plan: "
plan_id: csv-import-feature
items:
- id: I1
description: Add CSV import for comic book metadata
state: todo
touches: [src/import, src/library]
checks:
happy:
desc: Valid CSV imports 3 comics
target: import::csv
negative:
- desc: Missing column errors with MissingColumn
target: import::csv
boundary:
- desc: Empty file yields empty import without error
target: import::csv
",
rulespec: "
claims:
- name: csv_capabilities
selector: csv_importer.capabilities
- name: api_changes
selector: breaking_changes
predicates:
- claim: csv_capabilities
rule: contains
value: handle_tsv
source: task_prompt
notes: User explicitly requested TSV support
- claim: api_changes
rule: not_exists
source: memory
notes: AGENTS.md requires backward compatibility
"
)
```
## Example: Updating a Plan
When UPDATING an existing plan (marking items done), only `plan` is required:
```
plan_write(
plan: "
plan_id: csv-import-feature
items:
- id: I1
description: Add CSV import for comic book metadata
state: done
touches: [src/import, src/library]
checks:
happy:
desc: Valid CSV imports 3 comics
target: import::csv
negative:
- desc: Missing column errors with MissingColumn
target: import::csv
boundary:
- desc: Empty file yields empty import without error
target: import::csv
evidence:
- src/import/csv.rs:42-118
- tests/import_csv.rs::test_valid_csv
notes: Extended existing parser instead of creating duplicate
"
)
```
## Action Envelope
As the FINAL step before marking the last item done, write an `envelope.yaml` with facts about completed work:
```yaml ```yaml
facts: facts:
@@ -149,12 +192,7 @@ facts:
breaking_changes: null # Explicitly absent breaking_changes: null # Explicitly absent
``` ```
### Workflow The envelope is verified against the rulespec when the plan completes.
1. While drafting the plan, write `rulespec.yaml` with claims and predicates extracted from the task
2. Implement all plan items
3. After all work is complete, write `envelope.yaml` with facts about the completed work
4. **THEN** call `plan_write` to mark the final item done - verification will check both files
# Workspace Memory # Workspace Memory