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name: oe-trace-and-fallback-triage description: Debug and eliminate fallback/generic-stub replies quickly. Use when you see empty assistant replies, “Thanks for your message…” stubs, or “no specific information available” messages. Produces a minimal reproduction (test or deterministic trace) and pinpoints the fallback source + trigger.

oe-trace-and-fallback-triage

Capture the symptom precisely

1. Save the exact client-facing string that indicates fallback (copy/paste).
2. Record the entry context: current step (if known), thread/session id, and whether HIL tasks were pending.

Turn on diagnostics (dev only)

• Set OE_FALLBACK_DIAGNOSTICS=true to get structured fallback reasons in responses/logs (do not enable in production).
• Ensure tracing is enabled so agents can follow the execution path:
  • export DEBUG_TRACE=1
  • (optional) export DEBUG_TRACE_DIR=tmp-debug

Reproduce (prefer deterministic lanes)

1. Backend-only repro for intake routing:

   • python3 scripts/manual_ux/manual_smoke_intake.py

2. If the issue is Step 7 / site visit related:

   • python3 scripts/manual_ux/manual_ux_scenario_I.py > /tmp/ux_site_visit_I.json
   • python3 scripts/manual_ux/validate_manual_ux_run.py /tmp/ux_site_visit_I.json --require_site_visit

3. If the issue matches a known regression guard, run its test:

   • tests/TEST_MATRIX_detection_and_flow.md (search the stub string and run the matching DET_* / REG_* test)
   • docs/guides/TEAM_GUIDE.md (Known Issues & Fixes → “Chain of Failure” sections)

Map the fallback source

Use the diagnostic “Source:” / “Trigger:” to jump to the correct module:

• Q&A verbalization fallback: backend/workflows/qna/verbalizer.py
• Q&A extraction fallback: backend/workflows/qna/extraction.py
• General Q&A body fallback: backend/workflows/common/general_qna.py
• Intent/provider fallback: backend/workflows/llm/adapter.py
• Workflow-level fallback reasons: backend/workflows/common/fallback_reason.py

Common high-impact failure chains (check first)

• Quoted confirmations triggering General Q&A and emitting the “no specific information available” stub:
  • see docs/guides/TEAM_GUIDE.md (“Regression trap: quoted confirmations triggering General Q&A”)
• Event reuse routing a new inquiry into Step 7 site-visit handling and returning no drafts:
  • see docs/guides/TEAM_GUIDE.md (“Event reuse logic bug”)