Wonder Mode — Stuck-Rescue Workflow

Wonder Mode is a preview-first stuck-rescue workflow. It diagnoses why a session is stuck, generates genuinely distinct executable options, and lets the user preview, compare, and commit.

Atlas-first reflex (v1.23.x+, MANDATORY before any creative move)

Before producing ANY creative response, query the user's atlas overlays. The corpus contains 337 entries across 3 namespaces, plus 3,917 parameter-level JSON sidecars — far richer than anything inferable from training data alone.

Query order:

1. `extension_atlas_search(namespace="packs", query=<intent>)` — pack identity, signature workflows, hidden gems, anti-patterns, notable presets with macro deep-data, demo projects
2. `extension_atlas_search(namespace="packs", query=<intent>, entity_type="cross_pack_workflow")` — multi-pack signature recipes (15 entries: dub-techno spectral drone bed, BoC decayed pad, Mica Levi orchestral dread, etc.)
3. `extension_atlas_search(namespace="m4l-devices", query=<sonic descriptor>)` — M4L instrument/effect/midi-effect device catalog (155 entries)
4. `atlas_search(...)` — bundled atlas (Core Library, fallback)

Multi-grain traversal:

When an aesthetic-level query lands a pack-level result, AUTO-DRILL: pack → its notable_presets → those preset macro states → load via load_browser_item. Don't stop at "I found a relevant pack" — drill to the actual preset/parameter level the user can immediately use.

# Example — agent received "take it somewhere unexpected, surprise me"
hit = extension_atlas_search(namespace="packs", query="take it somewhere unexpected hidden gem")
# → cross-pack workflows + packs with hidden_gems body fields surface

workflow = extension_atlas_get("packs", "dub_techno_spectral_drone_bed")
# → reveals signal_flow: HDG → PitchLoop89 cross-feedback → Convolution Reverb

drone_lab = extension_atlas_get("packs", "drone_lab")
# → notable_presets reveals Razor Wire Drone with macros Filter Control=108, Movement=53...

# Now propose variants with concrete preset names + macro values, not vague descriptions

When the user mentions a producer or pack by name:

• "BoC sublime pad" → atlas hit: boc_decayed_pad cross-pack-workflow + inspired_by_nature pack
• "Henke spectral chain" → atlas hit: pitchloop89 + granulator_iii + 2 Henke cross-pack workflows
• "Mica Levi orchestral dread" → atlas hit: mica_levi_orchestral_dread workflow + the orchestral suite packs
• "Drone Lab" → atlas hit: drone_lab pack + 4 Drone Lab demo_project entries

The atlas knows the user's installed library at parameter depth. Producer-anchor queries land specific moves, not vague descriptions.

Anti-pattern surfacing:

Every pack entry has an anti_patterns body field listing "don't reach for this when X." Surface the relevant anti-pattern when proposing a move so the user knows the move's domain. (E.g. "Drone Lab is sustain-only — don't use for percussive content.")

For deliberately rule-breaking creative requests ("eclectic", "ignore the limits", "weird combo", "mix incompatible aesthetics"): enter Eclectic Mode inside Wonder. Anti-patterns become prompt tension rather than guardrails: keep hard safety and protected-user constraints, then generate variants that intentionally combine one normally-avoided source with one identity-preserving source. Do not route to a private or missing skill.

When to Trigger

• User says "I'm stuck", "surprise me", "make it magical", "give me options"
• detect_stuckness confidence > 0.5
• 3+ consecutive undos in action ledger
• Multiple plausible next moves with no clear winner
• `livepilot-creative-director` delegates divergence to Wonder (first-pass creative intent, not only rescue)

Two contexts — Stuck-Rescue vs Creative-Director Divergence

Wonder Mode now serves two callers:

1. Stuck-rescue (original): a specific session is stuck and needs

rescue. The "fewer than 3 variants is correct" honesty rule applies — you are not obligated to fabricate options that don't exist.

1. Creative-director first-pass: the director is running standard

divergence before any commit. Here, actively WIDEN across move.family before accepting fewer than 3 variants. Only fall back after honestly re-reading concept packets, anti-preferences, and recent memory. The context comes in via the wonder_session_id metadata or the caller's explicit framing.

When NOT to Trigger

• Exact operational requests ("set track 3 volume to -6dB")
• Narrow deterministic edits ("quantize this clip")
• Performance-safe-only context (unless explicitly requested)

The Workflow

1. enter_wonder_mode — get diagnosis + 1-3 variants
2. Explain the diagnosis in musical language, not tool language
3. Present variants honestly:

• Executable variants: can be previewed and committed
• Analytical variants (analytical_only: true): directional ideas only

1. create_preview_set with wonder_session_id for executable variants
2. render_preview_variant for each executable variant
3. compare_preview_variants — present recommendation with reasons
4. User chooses:

• commit_preview_variant — applies the variant, records outcome
• discard_wonder_session — rejects all, keeps creative thread open

Honesty Rules

• Never describe an analytical variant as previewable
• Never fabricate distinctness by relabeling the same move — and

specifically, two variants with the same move.family are not distinct

• Fewer than 3 variants is correct when fewer distinct moves exist —

but on creative-director first-pass, widen across move.family values FIRST before accepting that conclusion (see livepilot-creative-director references/move-family-diversity-rule.md)

• 1 executable + 2 analytical is an honest, useful result
• The variant_count_actual field tells you how many are real

Presenting Results

For each variant, explain:

• What it changes (in musical terms)
• What it preserves (sacred elements)
• Why it matters for this specific session
• Whether it's executable or analytical-only

For the recommendation, explain:

• Why this one over the others
• What risk it introduces
• What sacred elements it preserves

Creative Intelligence (consult before generating variants)

Wonder Mode should produce musically interesting results, not just technically correct ones. Before generating or applying any variant, read the shared device-knowledge references (they live in the livepilot-core skill, not in this one):

1. livepilot-core/references/device-knowledge/automation-as-music.md — automation shapes and macro gestures
2. livepilot-core/references/device-knowledge/creative-thinking.md — emotional-to-technical mapping
3. livepilot-core/references/device-knowledge/chains-genre.md — if the session has a genre identity

When reviewing Wonder variants, aim for musical depth:

• Filter arcs — evolving filter across sections adds movement
• Space arcs — reverb/delay sends breathing with density
• Micro-modulation — subtle LFOs on sustained sounds
• Macro gestures — coordinated multi-parameter moves at transitions

Note: these are agent-level guidelines, not enforced by the Wonder engine. The engine generates variants from semantic moves; the agent adds musical polish.