Openclaw-superpowers agent-self-recovery

Detects when the agent is stuck in a loop and escapes systematically. Use when you notice repeated failures or loss of direction.

install

source · Clone the upstream repo

git clone https://github.com/ArchieIndian/openclaw-superpowers

Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/

T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/ArchieIndian/openclaw-superpowers "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/skills/openclaw-native/agent-self-recovery" ~/.claude/skills/archieindian-openclaw-superpowers-agent-self-recovery && rm -rf "$T"

OpenClaw · Install into ~/.openclaw/skills/

T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/ArchieIndian/openclaw-superpowers "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.openclaw/skills && cp -r "$T/skills/openclaw-native/agent-self-recovery" ~/.openclaw/skills/archieindian-openclaw-superpowers-agent-self-recovery && rm -rf "$T"

manifest: skills/openclaw-native/agent-self-recovery/SKILL.md

source content

Agent Self-Recovery

State file:

~/.openclaw/skill-state/agent-self-recovery/state.yaml

Signs You're Stuck

Tried the same approach 3+ times with the same result
Making changes that feel random rather than targeted
Lost track of the original goal
Taking longer than expected on a 'simple' step

Recovery Protocol

Step 1: Stop

Stop making changes. No more quick tries.

Step 2: Write State

Write to the state file:

```
what_trying
```
: what were you trying to do?
```
what_tried
```
: append this latest approach to the list
```
loop_type
```
: name the pattern (see Step 3)
```
attempts
```
: increment by 1
```
status: recovering
```
```
started_at
```
: current timestamp (first time only)

Step 3: Name the Loop

Pick the

loop_type

```
same-fix-variations
```
— trying the same fix with minor changes
```
cascading-dependencies
```
— each fix reveals a new dependency
```
unclear-error
```
— unclear what the actual error is
```
lost-goal
```
— lost track of original requirement

Step 4: Break the Loop

loop_type: unclear-error

→ use systematic-debugging first. If

loop_type: lost-goal

→ re-read the original requirement. If genuinely blocked → document clearly, ask the user. Update state

status: escalated

. If context too large → use context-window-management. If truly lost → use task-handoff, ask user to redirect. Update state

status: escalated

Step 5: Resume with a New Approach

Choose a genuinely different approach. Update state

last_approach

, append to

what_tried

. On success: update state

status: recovered