Kiro: Fixing 'Waiting On Input' Hang After Task Completion

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving into a frustrating issue some Kiro users are experiencing: task sessions hanging on the 'Waiting on your input' screen. If you've been banging your head against the wall trying to figure this out, you're in the right place. We'll break down the problem, explore the steps to reproduce it, and discuss potential solutions. Let's get started!

Understanding the Issue: Execute Task Session Hangs

The core issue revolves around Kiro, specifically version 0.2.13, getting stuck in a perpetual 'Waiting on your input' state after a task is completed within an implementation plan. Imagine you've meticulously laid out your tasks, diligently worked through them, and then… nothing. The session just hangs, leaving you in limbo. This frustrating situation requires users to manually close the session and run 'Update tasks' to properly mark the task as done. This extra step not only disrupts workflow but also defeats the purpose of having an efficient task management system. We need to dive deep into the root causes and understand what triggers this behavior so we can implement effective solutions and prevent it from occurring in the future.

To further clarify, let's consider the user's experience. They create a detailed implementation plan, carefully outlining each step required to achieve their goal. They start a task from this plan, diligently following the instructions and completing all the necessary actions. Upon completion, they naturally expect the task session to conclude gracefully, marking the task as finished and allowing them to move on to the next item. However, instead of a smooth transition, they are met with a frozen screen displaying 'Waiting on your input,' even though there are no further actions required from them. This unexpected halt disrupts their workflow, forces them to take extra steps to manually update the task status, and introduces unnecessary friction into the task management process. This interruption can be particularly frustrating when dealing with complex projects involving numerous tasks, as the cumulative effect of these interruptions can significantly impact overall productivity. Therefore, resolving this issue is crucial for ensuring a seamless and efficient user experience with Kiro.

This persistent hang not only disrupts the user's immediate workflow but also raises concerns about the reliability of the task management system. If users cannot trust the system to accurately reflect the status of their tasks, they may lose confidence in the tool and explore alternative solutions. Therefore, addressing this issue is critical not only for immediate user satisfaction but also for the long-term adoption and success of Kiro. Imagine a scenario where a project manager is relying on Kiro to track the progress of a team working on a critical deliverable. If the task sessions are consistently hanging, the project manager may be unable to get an accurate overview of the project's status, leading to delays and potentially impacting the project's outcome. This highlights the importance of ensuring that Kiro functions as expected, providing a reliable and trustworthy task management experience for its users. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the steps to reproduce this issue, analyze the expected behavior versus the actual outcome, and explore potential solutions to address this hanging problem and restore confidence in Kiro's task management capabilities.

Reproducing the Issue: Steps to Make Kiro Hang

So, you're encountering this annoying hang? Let's make sure we're on the same page. Here's how you can reliably reproduce the issue:

1. Create an implementation plan: This is your blueprint, the foundation of your task list. Make it detailed, just like you would for a real project. A well-defined plan is key to triggering the issue consistently.
2. Populate it with a task list: Add several tasks to your implementation plan. The more tasks, the more opportunities to observe the hang. Mix up the types of tasks to see if any specific type triggers the issue more often.
3. Start each task from the plan: This is where the rubber meets the road. Begin executing your tasks one by one. Pay close attention to the process as you complete each step.
4. Complete the task and… wait: This is the critical moment. After finishing all the steps within a task, Kiro should ideally move on. But instead, it hangs on 'Waiting on your input.' This is the bug we're trying to squash!

To elaborate on these steps, the creation of a detailed implementation plan is crucial for replicating the issue consistently. The plan should include a series of tasks that are logically connected and represent a realistic workflow. This could involve tasks such as research, design, development, testing, and deployment, depending on the nature of the project. The more complex and interconnected the tasks are, the higher the likelihood of triggering the hanging issue. For instance, if a task involves waiting for input from another team member or an external system, the potential for a hang may increase if Kiro is not properly handling these dependencies. Therefore, when creating the implementation plan, it is important to consider the various dependencies and interactions that may occur during the task execution process. This will help to isolate the specific conditions that lead to the 'Waiting on your input' hang.

Furthermore, when populating the implementation plan with a task list, it is beneficial to include a variety of task types and complexities. This could involve tasks that require different levels of effort, have varying deadlines, or involve different stakeholders. By diversifying the task list, you can increase the chances of uncovering any specific task characteristics that may be contributing to the hanging issue. For example, tasks that involve external integrations, such as connecting to a third-party API or accessing a shared database, may be more prone to hangs if there are connectivity issues or unexpected delays. Similarly, tasks that require manual input or approvals may hang if the user is not immediately available to provide the necessary information. By including a mix of these different task types, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the conditions under which the hanging issue occurs and identify potential areas for improvement in Kiro's task management logic. This thorough approach to reproducing the issue will ultimately lead to a more robust and effective solution.

Finally, the step of completing the task and waiting is crucial for observing the hanging behavior. After finishing all the steps within a task, the user should expect Kiro to either provide a clear indication of completion, such as a confirmation message or a transition to the next task, or prompt the user for any further input that may be required. However, if Kiro hangs on 'Waiting on your input' without any further action, it indicates that there is a problem in the task session management. This hang could be due to a variety of factors, such as a deadlock in the task execution logic, a failure to properly release resources, or a communication breakdown between different components of the system. By carefully observing the behavior of Kiro after completing a task, users can provide valuable information to developers for diagnosing and resolving the issue. In the next section, we will discuss the expected behavior of Kiro and how it differs from the observed behavior, which will further highlight the severity of the hanging issue and the need for a prompt solution.

Expected vs. Actual Behavior: What Should Happen?

Let's talk expectations. What should happen when you finish a task in Kiro? Ideally, Kiro should do one of two things:

1. Prompt for action: If there's more to do, Kiro should clearly tell you what's needed. Maybe it's waiting for feedback, approval, or some other input. A clear prompt keeps the workflow moving.
2. Finish gracefully: If the task is truly done, Kiro should mark it as complete and move on. No hanging, no fuss, just a smooth transition to the next task or stage.

Instead, what's actually happening is that Kiro gets stuck. It's like a car running out of gas on the highway – everything just grinds to a halt. This discrepancy between expected and actual behavior is the core of the problem. The user is left in a state of uncertainty, unsure of what to do next. They've completed the task according to the instructions, but Kiro is not acknowledging this completion. This disconnect between the user's actions and the system's response creates frustration and undermines the user's confidence in the tool. To further illustrate this point, consider a scenario where a user is working on a time-sensitive project with multiple interdependent tasks. If Kiro hangs after each task, the user is forced to spend extra time manually updating the task status, which can significantly impact their productivity and potentially lead to missed deadlines. Therefore, it is crucial for Kiro to provide clear and consistent feedback to the user, ensuring that the system's behavior aligns with their expectations.

The ideal scenario is a seamless transition from one task to the next, with Kiro providing clear guidance and feedback at each step. If a task requires further input, Kiro should explicitly state what that input is and how to provide it. For example, if a task is waiting for review, Kiro should display a message such as