University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

In agent runtime architecture, a phase-level state represents a coarse, semantically meaningful stage of work (such as planning, implementation, verification, repair, or handoff) rather than an individual model call or micro-level tool action. Within a phase-level state, the agent maintains an uninterrupted reasoning loop and full autonomy to select tools, edit files, and iterate. The runtime intervenes only at phase boundaries to refresh context and enforce transition contracts, preventing reasoning fragmentation caused by micro-orchestrated node dispatch.

Phase-Level State Abstraction

Match each architectural concept to its defining scope in agent runtime execution.

Arrange the stages of a phase-level execution cycle in chronological order from stage initiation to boundary transition.

Analyze why Design A degrades agent problem-solving performance compared to Design B, and identify what internal condition Design B preserves during a stage of work to prevent this degradation.

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