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A plain tool loop is great for short jobs — but branches, human approval, and “come back later” stretch it until the shape no longer fits.
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Why Simple Loops Break
Code panel
Why Simple Loops Break
Contract
- Put your API key in the practice file (fine for local learning)
- Create an authenticated client
- Ask the model: is this refund small or large?
- If small → print a completed refund in this run
- If large → stop; show that a simple loop cannot wait for a human cleanly
loops_break_demo.py
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Example console
Sample run — exact text can vary
Question: Please refund order 4412. Order on file: id=4412 amount=$900 item=laptop stand Model branch decision: LARGE Path: large amount → need a human yes/no. Crack: a simple loop wants to finish in THIS run. It has no clean place to WAIT until tomorrow, then CONTINUE. Stopped here on purpose — next chapters add state, branches, and pause/resume. Final answer: Order 4412 needs human approval ($900) before refund.