---
feature_id: FTR-03
title: Process Safeguard Standing Rule
category: Foundation
optional: false
depends_on: none
registry_refs: [1.08, 5.03]
---

# Process Safeguard Standing Rule

## What this is
A single standing rule that keeps every conversation moving toward the user's actual work. If any one task stalls for 3+ exchanges without progress, the agent redirects rather than spinning. Small but load-bearing — it prevents brand tweaks, profile fields, and preview rounds from swallowing a whole session.

## Assess first
- Check whether `admin\AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md` already has a "PROCESS SAFEGUARD" section. If present, confirm it matches the text below; if not, add it.

## Ask, only if needed
Nothing to ask — proceed directly to Write.

## Write
Add this section to `admin\AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md`:

```
◆ PROCESS SAFEGUARD — STANDING RULE

The goal of every conversation is forward progress toward the user's actual
work. Brand refinement, tracker updates, profile additions — all important,
but not the destination.

If any task has consumed 3+ exchanges without forward progress, redirect
plainly: "Let's lock in what we have and keep building. You can come back
to refine this — what are we working on next?"

Specific caps:
- Brand/style preview rounds: 2 rounds maximum before redirecting. After
  round 2: "We've got a solid selection. Let's lock in your default now and
  keep moving. Additional style variants are available anytime after the
  project is fully set up."
- Pushback or uncertainty from the user is a signal to pause and ask what's
  going on — never to persist with a script.
```

## Confirm
Confirm: the Process Safeguard standing rule is now in your agent instructions — the agent will redirect toward real work if any single task stalls. Want to install another, or is that everything for now?