# Navigator v5.1.0 Release Notes

> Traditional AI coding requires constant "keep going" prompts. Even with Navigator's autonomous completion protocol, users had to mentally track progress and provide explicit continuation signals.

- Skill: `tools-only/navigator-v5-1-0-release-notes` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/navigator-v5-1-0-release-notes`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/navigator-v5-1-0-release-notes/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/navigator-v5-1-0-release-notes

---

# Navigator v5.1.0 Release Notes

**Release Date**: 2025-01-13
**Type**: Minor Release (New Feature)

---

## Summary

Navigator v5.1.0 introduces **Loop Mode** - structured completion signals with "run until done" capability. Inspired by Ralph's autonomous loop framework, this feature brings:

- **NAVIGATOR_STATUS block**: Structured completion signals each iteration
- **Dual-condition exit gate**: Requires both heuristics (2+ indicators) AND explicit EXIT_SIGNAL
- **Stagnation detection**: Circuit breaker pauses after 3 same-state iterations
- **Progress phases**: INIT → RESEARCH → IMPL → VERIFY → COMPLETE

---

## The Problem Loop Mode Solves

Traditional AI coding requires constant "keep going" prompts. Even with Navigator's autonomous completion protocol, users had to mentally track progress and provide explicit continuation signals.

**Ralph's insight**: A structured completion loop with explicit exit conditions prevents premature termination while ensuring tasks actually complete.

**Navigator's adaptation**: Loop Mode integrates Ralph's innovations while maintaining Navigator's context efficiency and Theory of Mind features.

---

## New Skill: nav-loop

### Enabling Loop Mode

**Natural language triggers**:
```
"Run until done: add user authentication"
"Keep going until complete"
"Iterate until finished"
"Loop mode for this task"
```

### NAVIGATOR_STATUS Block

Each iteration displays:
```
NAVIGATOR_STATUS
==================================================
Phase: VERIFY
Iteration: 3/5
Progress: 75%

Completion Indicators:
  [x] Code committed
  [x] Tests passing
  [ ] Documentation updated
  [ ] Ticket closed

Exit Conditions:
  Heuristics: 2/4 (need 2+)
  EXIT_SIGNAL: false

State Hash: a7b3c9
Stagnation: 1/3
==================================================
```

### Dual-Condition Exit Gate

Loop mode requires BOTH conditions to exit:
1. **Heuristics**: At least 2 completion indicators met
2. **EXIT_SIGNAL**: Explicit signal from Claude that task is complete

```
I've completed the implementation. All requirements met.

EXIT_SIGNAL: true
```

This prevents premature exits when heuristics are met but work remains.

### Stagnation Detection

When the same state is detected for 3 consecutive iterations:

```
STAGNATION DETECTED
==================================================

Same state detected for 3 consecutive iterations.

Current State:
  Phase: IMPL
  Indicators: 1/5
  Last Action: Modified src/auth.ts

Options:
1. [Continue] - Try one more iteration
2. [Clarify] - Explain what's blocking
3. [Abort] - End loop, manual intervention
==================================================
```

---

## Configuration

New `loop_mode` section in `.agent/.nav-config.json`:

```json
{
  "version": "5.1.0",
  "loop_mode": {
    "enabled": false,
    "max_iterations": 5,
    "stagnation_threshold": 3,
    "exit_requires_explicit_signal": true,
    "show_status_block": true
  }
}
```

**Options**:
- `enabled`: Default state for new tasks (default: false)
- `max_iterations`: Hard cap to prevent infinite loops (default: 5)
- `stagnation_threshold`: Same-state count before pause (default: 3)
- `exit_requires_explicit_signal`: Require EXIT_SIGNAL (default: true)
- `show_status_block`: Display NAVIGATOR_STATUS (default: true)

---

## Files Added

```
skills/nav-loop/
├── SKILL.md                           # Skill definition (~250 lines)
└── functions/
    ├── status_generator.py            # NAVIGATOR_STATUS block generation
    ├── exit_gate.py                   # Dual-condition exit logic
    ├── stagnation_detector.py         # Circuit breaker detection
    └── phase_detector.py              # Auto-detect task phase
```

---

## Files Modified

| File | Change |
|------|--------|
| `.claude-plugin/plugin.json` | Added nav-loop skill, version bump |
| `.claude-plugin/marketplace.json` | Version bump, breaking changes |
| `.agent/.nav-config.json` | Added loop_mode config |
| `skills/nav-diagnose/SKILL.md` | Added stagnation as quality trigger |
| `skills/nav-marker/SKILL.md` | Added loop state capture |
| `CLAUDE.md` | Added Loop Mode section |
| `README.md` | Updated version badges |

---

## Integration with Navigator

### With Autonomous Completion
Loop mode enhances (not replaces) the autonomous protocol:
- Completion indicators map to autonomous steps
- EXIT_SIGNAL triggers autonomous completion
- Markers include loop state for restoration

### With nav-diagnose
Stagnation triggers nav-diagnose quality check:
- 3 same-state loops = potential quality issue
- Helps identify root cause of stuck loops

### With nav-marker
Markers capture loop state:
- Current iteration and max
- Phase at time of marker
- State hash for continuity

### With ToM Features
Loop mode respects ToM configuration:
- Verification checkpoints still apply
- Profile preferences affect communication style

---

## Inspiration: Ralph

Loop Mode is inspired by [Ralph for Claude Code](https://github.com/frankbria/ralph-claude-code), which pioneered:
- Dual-condition exit gates
- Stagnation circuit breakers
- Structured completion signals

Navigator adapts these concepts for context-efficient workflows while maintaining its 92% token savings foundation.

---

## Upgrade Path

**From v5.0.0**: No breaking changes. Loop mode is disabled by default.

1. Update plugin: `/plugin update navigator`
2. Optionally enable loop mode in config
3. Use natural language triggers when needed

**Backward compatible**: All v5.0.0 workflows continue unchanged.

---

## What's Next

### v5.2.0 (Planned)
- Loop mode analytics and metrics
- Per-task loop configuration
- Extended completion indicators

---

## Version History

### v5.1.0 (This Release)
- New nav-loop skill with structured completion
- Dual-condition exit gate (heuristics + EXIT_SIGNAL)
- Stagnation detection with circuit breaker
- Progress phases (INIT → RESEARCH → IMPL → VERIFY → COMPLETE)
- Integration with nav-diagnose and nav-marker

### v5.0.0
- Theory of Mind integration
- nav-profile for bilateral modeling
- nav-diagnose for quality detection
- Verification checkpoints

### v4.7.0
- Interactive onboarding (nav-onboard)

### v4.6.0
- Native agents, token monitoring hooks

---

**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/alekspetrov/navigator/compare/v5.0.0...v5.1.0