---
id: "concept-specification-drift"
type: "concept"
source_timestamps: ["00:13:15", "00:13:33"]
tags: ["failure-modes", "agentic-ai"]
related: ["framework-ai-failure-taxonomy", "concept-specification-precision", "entity-claude"]
definition: "An AI failure mode where an agent slowly diverges from its original instructions over a long-running task unless forcibly reminded."
sources: ["s42-job-market-split"]
sourceVaultSlug: "s42-job-market-split"
originDay: 42
---
# Specification Drift

## Definition

A failure mode prevalent in long-running autonomous tasks where the agent effectively **forgets its original specification** or system prompt. Over a series of steps, the agent's actions slowly diverge from the initial intent.

## Countermeasure: the Ralph loop

Preventing this requires constructing the agentic harness to **forcibly remind the agent of its core specification at regular intervals**. The 'Ralph loop' popularized in [[entity-claude-d42]] workflows is one well-known implementation.

## Relationship to specification quality

Drift is only as recoverable as the original spec is precise — see [[concept-specification-precision]].

## Position in the taxonomy

Second entry in [[framework-ai-failure-taxonomy]].