verify-output

Verify Output Skill

Pattern for ensuring outputs match required schemas using automated validation.

When to Use

• Before writing final output file
• After completing a task
• When producing structured JSON output

Quick Reference

Validate before writing:

./scripts/validate.sh <schema_name> <file_path>

Available Schemas

Validation Process

Step 1: Determine Your Schema

Based on your agent role:

PM agent          → demand.schema.json
Architect agent   → design.schema.json
Implementer agent → task-output.schema.json
Verifier agent    → verification.schema.json
Reflector agent   → reflection.schema.json
Evolver agent     → evolution-proposal.schema.json

Step 2: Write Output to Temp Location

Write(memory/tasks/{id}/output.json.tmp, content)

Step 3: Validate

./scripts/validate.sh task-output memory/tasks/{id}/output.json.tmp

Step 4: If Valid, Move to Final Location

mv memory/tasks/{id}/output.json.tmp memory/tasks/{id}/output.json

Step 5: If Invalid, Fix and Retry

Common validation errors and fixes:

Output Format: Compact JSON

All agent outputs MUST be compact JSON (single line, no extra whitespace):

{"task_id":"001","status":"pre_complete","knowledge_updates":[],"reflection":{"what_worked":[],"what_failed":[],"patterns_noticed":[]}}

Mandatory Fields (All Agents)

Every output MUST include:

{"knowledge_updates":[{"category":"codebase","content":"string","confidence":"certain"}],"reflection":{"what_worked":["string"],"what_failed":["string"],"patterns_noticed":["string"]}}

Or empty arrays if no updates:

{"knowledge_updates":[],"reflection":{"what_worked":[],"what_failed":[],"patterns_noticed":[]}}

Valid values:

• category: "codebase" | "convention" | "decision" | "gotcha"
• confidence: "certain" | "likely" | "uncertain"

Pre-Write Validation Pattern

Recommended pattern for agents:

1. Construct output object in memory
2. Write to {output_path}.tmp
3. Run: ./scripts/validate.sh {schema} {output_path}.tmp
4. IF validation passes:
     → mv {output_path}.tmp {output_path}
     → Log: "Output validated and written"
5. ELSE:
     → Read validation errors
     → Fix output object
     → Retry from step 2
     → Max 3 retries, then report validation failure

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting knowledge_updates (even if empty array)
• Forgetting reflection fields
• Using invalid enum values (check schema for allowed values)
• Missing required nested fields
• Wrong type (string instead of array, etc.)
• Using YAML instead of JSON
• Pretty-printing JSON (use compact format)

Principles

1. Validate before write - Never output invalid data
2. Schema is law - Missing fields = rejection by executor
3. Empty is valid - "knowledge_updates":[] is okay
4. Fail fast - Catch errors before they propagate
5. Compact JSON - Single line, no formatting