pi-stuck-helper

A Pi skill that detects when AI problem-solving degrades into unproductive loops, over-reflection, or runaway self-criticism — and escalates to the user for help.

Why

AI agents can get stuck in thought loops:

• Trying the same approach repeatedly without progress
• Endless self-reflection that goes nowhere
• Overcomplicating simple problems
• Hypotheses that keep changing without resolution

pi-stuck-helper gives the agent a "safety valve": recognize the dysfunction, stop, and ask the user for guidance.

Installation

pi install npm:pi-stuck-helper

Or add to your project settings (.pi/settings.json):

{
  "packages": ["npm:pi-stuck-helper"]
}

How It Works

The skill defines 4 categories of dysfunction signals:

| Signal | Description | |--------|-------------| | Loop | Same approach used 3+ times, oscillating between options | | Bloat | Multiple self-corrections in one response, overcomplicating | | Stall | No progress after 5+ turns, same error persists | | Historical | Pattern resembles a previous runaway the user stopped |

When any signal triggers, the agent:

1. Stops the current approach immediately
2. Reports to the user with a structured template (difficulty, attempts, blocker, help needed)
3. Waits for user direction before continuing

Languages

• Chinese (default): SKILL.md
• English: references/SKILL_EN.md

License

MIT