A trace links each run's inputs, node executions, decisions, tool calls, outputs, timing, and errors. It should support diagnosis without leaking unnecessary private content.

A Trace Records What Actually Happened

A checkpoint persists a versioned, minimal state at a safe boundary. Resumption must verify code, schema, permissions, and whether external effects already occurred.

Checkpoints Make Runs Resumable

In long graphs, a final outcome reflects many prior decisions. Credit assignment estimates which actions contributed, while accounting for delayed effects and confounding.

Credit Assignment Links Outcomes to Earlier Choices

Observability correlates traces, metrics, logs, prompts, models, graph versions, and user outcomes. It should answer which path ran and why without collecting unnecessary content.

Graph Observability Connects Runs to Design

In this situation—explaining why a tutoring session skipped practice—which choice best applies “A Trace Records What Actually Happened”?

A message envelope carries identity, conversation and correlation IDs, intent, schema version, deadline, and payload reference. It enables routing, deduplication, authorization, and tracing.

Message Envelopes Support Reliable Conversation

Provenance records where a claim came from, how it was transformed, when it was observed, and who or what asserted it. It enables trust decisions without pretending all sources are equal.

Provenance Makes Graph Claims Accountable

A reflection step critiques or revises an output, but self-review can repeat the same blind spot. Ground it in criteria, tests, retrieved evidence, or a differently informed reviewer.

Reflection Needs Independent Evidence

A correct final answer can hide unsafe tool calls, leaked data, wasted loops, or unsupported intermediate claims. Trajectory evaluation inspects state transitions and actions as well as outcome.

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