> Markdown twin of https://adna.network/reference/specification/17-error-recovery-protocol/
> Index: https://adna.network/llms.txt · Full corpus: https://adna.network/llms-full.txt
> State is a build-time snapshot generated 2026-08-30 (UTC); nothing here is live.

# 17. Error & Recovery Protocol — aDNA Specification

> **Scan**: Three-tier response — data integrity threat (STOP + escalate), state inconsistency (fix + log), process issue (workaround + backlog).

*Decisions: D24*

## 17.1 Tiered Response

| Severity | Trigger | Response | Recovery |
|----------|---------|----------|----------|
| **Tier 1 — Data integrity threat** | Corrupt file, data loss, conflicting writes destroying content | Stop all writes immediately. Document the issue. Do NOT attempt automated repair. Escalate to human with `#needs-human` tag. | Human-guided only |
| **Tier 2 — State inconsistency** | Stale STATE.md, broken cross-references, missing frontmatter | Attempt recovery: re-read files, reconcile state, add missing fields. Log the issue and recovery action in session file. Continue work. | Agent-recoverable with documentation |
| **Tier 3 — Process issue** | Template not found, naming violation, ambiguous pipeline stage | Note the issue in session file. Work around it. Create a backlog idea for improvement. | Work around, improve later |

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    E["Error detected"] --> S1{"Data at risk?"}
    S1 -->|Yes| T1["Tier 1: STOP<br/>Escalate to human"]
    S1 -->|No| S2{"State inconsistent?"}
    S2 -->|Yes| T2["Tier 2: Fix + log<br/>Continue work"]
    S2 -->|No| T3["Tier 3: Note + workaround<br/>Backlog idea"]

    style T1 fill:#ef4444,color:#fff
    style T2 fill:#eab308,color:#000
    style T3 fill:#22c55e,color:#fff
```

## 17.2 Escalation

Agents MUST log blockers with the `#needs-human` tag when:
- Data integrity is at risk (Tier 1 errors)
- A decision exceeds the agent's authority
- Ambiguous scope could lead to destructive actions

Agents MUST NOT proceed with destructive or irreversible actions when uncertain. When in doubt, stop and ask.

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