Fallback Document Generation with Delegation

When to Use This Skill

Use this workflow when attempting to generate a document or report, but multiple primary data source tools fail simultaneously:

• read_file

  returns binary/image data instead of text (common with PDFs)

• search_web

  returns errors or no results

• execute_code_sandbox

  fails unexpectedly
• Other data retrieval tools are unavailable

Key insight: Rather than getting stuck on failed data retrieval, pivot immediately to generating the document using the most appropriate available method—either

shell_agent

write_file

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Detect Tool Failure Pattern

Recognize when you're in a fallback scenario:

TOOL_FAILURE_INDICATORS = [
    "read_file returns binary or image data",
    "search_web returns unknown error or empty results",
    "execute_code_sandbox fails repeatedly",
    "Multiple consecutive tool failures on data retrieval"
]

Decision point: If 2+ indicators are present, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Fallback Method

Critical Decision: Select between

shell_agent

write_file

shell_agent

write_file

Decision Tree:

Is the output a PDF or complex formatted document?
├── YES → Use shell_agent (delegates to skilled agent)
└── NO → Is it markdown or plain text?
    ├── YES → Use write_file (direct content generation)
    └── NO → Use shell_agent (handles uncertainty)

Step 3A: Execute with shell_agent (Complex Documents)

For PDFs and complex formatting:

# Delegate to shell_agent with clear task description
shell_agent(
    task="Generate a professional [document type] about [topic]. "
         "Use appropriate libraries (e.g., reportlab for PDFs). "
         "Include: [list key sections/requirements]. "
         "Save to working directory as [filename]."
)

Advantages of shell_agent:

• Agent autonomously handles library selection and usage
• Automatically retries and fixes errors
• Can use multiple tools internally (run_shell, execute_code_sandbox)
• Validates output before completion

Example:

shell_agent(
    task="Create a 1-page SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) "
         "template PDF with 4 sections. Each section should have guiding points "
         "and blank lined spaces for user input. Use reportlab library. "
         "Save as SBAR_template.pdf in current directory."
)

Step 3B: Execute with write_file (Simple Documents)

For markdown and plain text:

# Generate content with embedded domain knowledge
report_content = f"""# [Document Title]

## Executive Summary
[Brief overview of key findings/content]

## Background
[Context and scope - use embedded knowledge]

## Main Content
[Organized sections with headers, lists, tables as appropriate]

## Limitations & Notes
[Transparent about data source limitations if relevant]

## Recommendations/Next Steps
[Actionable guidance based on available information]
"""

write_file(path="output/report.md", content=report_content)

Step 4: Structure Content Professionally

Regardless of method, ensure professional organization:

# [Document Title]

## Executive Summary
[Brief overview of key findings/content]

## Background
[Context and scope - use embedded knowledge]

## Main Content
[Organized sections with headers, lists, tables as appropriate]

## Limitations & Notes
[Transparent about data source limitations if relevant]

## Recommendations/Next Steps
[Actionable guidance based on available information]

Step 5: Leverage Embedded Domain Knowledge

When external data is unavailable:

• Use general domain knowledge appropriately
• Clearly distinguish between verified facts and general guidance
• Include actionable frameworks rather than specific unverified data
• Add placeholder notes where specific data would enhance the document

Example:

> **Note**: Specific [metric/data point] would typically be sourced from 
> [expected source]. The guidance below reflects established best practices 
> in this domain.

Step 6: Validate Output

# For shell_agent: verify the output exists and is valid
list_dir(path=".")  # Confirm file was created

# For PDFs, optionally verify with pdfinfo via run_shell
# For markdown, optionally read to confirm content

# For write_file: confirm file exists
list_dir(path=".")  # Confirm file exists

Code Example

# Complete detection and pivot pattern
def generate_fallback_document(task_goal, output_format="markdown"):
    # After detecting tool failures:
    
    # Step 1: Choose method based on format
    if output_format == "pdf" or "complex" in task_goal:
        # Use shell_agent for complex formats
        shell_agent(
            task=f"Generate a professional {output_format} document about "
                 f"{task_goal}. Use appropriate libraries. Include executive "
                 f"summary, main content, limitations, and recommendations. "
                 f"Save to working directory."
        )
        return "Document generated via shell_agent delegation"
    
    else:
        # Use write_file for simple formats
        report_content = f"""# {task_goal} Report

## Executive Summary
This report was generated using established domain knowledge due to 
temporary unavailability of primary data sources.

## Key Frameworks and Guidance
[Structured content with headers, bullets, tables]

## Limitations
- Specific data points from [expected sources] were unavailable
- Recommendations based on general best practices

## Action Items
1. [Concrete step 1]
2. [Concrete step 2]
"""
        write_file(path="generated_report.md", content=report_content)
        return "Report generated with write_file"

Best Practices

Common Pitfalls

1. Wrong tool selection: Using write_file for PDF generation instead of delegating to shell_agent
2. Over-apologizing: Acknowledge limitations once, then deliver value
3. Under-delivering: A well-structured partial report beats no report
4. Misrepresenting certainty: Use appropriate hedging language
5. Skipping validation: Always confirm the file was created successfully

Success Criteria

The skill is successfully applied when:

• Document is generated despite tool failures
• Appropriate method chosen (shell_agent for complex, write_file for simple)
• Content is professionally structured (headers, sections, lists)
• Limitations are transparently noted
• Actionable guidance is provided
• File is successfully created and verified

Method Comparison

Decision Checklist

Before selecting method, ask:

1. Is the output format PDF or other binary format? → shell_agent
2. Does it require external libraries (reportlab, pandoc, etc.)? → shell_agent
3. Is it markdown or plain text only? → write_file
4. Does it need multi-step processing or validation? → shell_agent
5. Is quick, simple content generation sufficient? → write_file