exoclaw-loop-detection

Pattern-based loop detection for exoclaw — replaces hard iteration caps with smart termination.

Why

The default max_iterations=40 cap kills productive runs that happen to use many tools. This plugin detects degenerate patterns instead:

• Repeat — same tool + same args called N times in a row
• Ping-pong — alternating between two identical calls (A→B→A→B…)
• Circuit breaker — absolute safety net (default 200)

Productive runs with many different tool calls are never interrupted.

Install

pip install exoclaw-loop-detection

Usage

from exoclaw import Exoclaw
from exoclaw_loop_detection import LoopDetectionPolicy, LoopDetectionConfig

policy = LoopDetectionPolicy(LoopDetectionConfig(
    critical_threshold=20,      # stop after 20 identical repeats
    global_circuit_breaker=200, # absolute safety net
))

app = Exoclaw(
    provider=provider,
    conversation=conversation,
    iteration_policy=policy,
)

The policy records tool calls automatically when the loop invokes should_continue. To also track arguments for fingerprinting, call policy.record(name, args) from an on_tool_calls hook or a custom executor's execute_tool.

Configuration