Verification and repair
Rationale grounded in precedent
A rationale grounded in precedent is an explanation of an autonomous action that points at a rule or preference the person previously set, rather than at the agent’s decision process.
Control sits with the agent
When to use it
Any action taken without asking, particularly one triggered by an external event the person did not see.
What it prevents
Valid autonomous actions being read as bugs, which stops people forming an accurate model of what the agent will do next.
Why this happenedacted without asking
Moved the Acme renewal to next Tuesday.
BecauseYou asked for renewals never to land on a Friday.
Set by youIn the standing brief for account work
Where it stands
Partly, in agents that cite a stored preference when they act. Rarely done well.
Sources
Related patterns: Autonomy dial · Action audit and time-limited undo