Why one-shots stall
A single prompt is a snapshot. Great for brainstorms. Weak for migrations, audits, or anything with a middle.
The middle is where quality lives — and where models drift unless you force try → check → fix → stop.
The smallest useful loop
You do not need an agent framework to start. You need goal → draft → critique against a checklist → patch → exit.
Exit is the feature. Infinite iteration is missing criteria wearing a productivity costume.
Field steps
- State the job in one sentence.
- Ask for a draft, not a masterpiece.
- Ask what a careful editor would change against your checklist.
- Apply the fix. Stop when the checklist is green.
Long view
Shinier chat boxes will keep launching. Operators who own loop shapes will outrun operators who only collect prompts.