OpenHands / OpenHands/software-agent-sdk
[Prompt registry] Phase 4 — Feature payoffs: shell-aware prompt (#85) + interaction variant (#1317)
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@VascoSch92 is already working on this.
Since Jun 9, 2026.
behavior-initiative
enhancement
- Dominant language
- Python
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Description
Part of the prompt-registry roadmap OpenHands/software-agent-sdk#3606 (proposal OpenHands/software-agent-sdk#2827).
Goal: ship the two feature payoffs that justify the refactor. Both can land in parallel once the registry is the default path.
Depends on: Phase 3 OpenHands/software-agent-sdk#3611.
Relates to: revives #85 and OpenHands/software-agent-sdk#1317 (both closed NOT_PLANNED; approach is now section-based).
Tasks
-
ShellGuidanceSection+ deleterefine()(revives #85). Section describes the actually-bound shell tool fromctx.tool_names/ctx.platform, so the prose can no longer drift. Removerefine()(context/prompts/prompt.py:48), its render-time call at:114, and the Jinja filter registration at:73. Add posix-vs-windows section tests. -
InteractionVariant(revives OpenHands/software-agent-sdk#1317**).**EfficiencySection+VerificationPolicySection+FinalMessageFormatSection, gated byctx.interaction_mode; wirecli_mode/ interaction mode from the presets (openhands-tools/openhands/tools/preset/*.py) intoPromptContext. Salvage wording from the orphanedsystem_prompt_interactive.j2/system_prompt_long_horizon.j2before they are deleted in Phase 5. Snapshot-diff interactive vs non-interactive; non-interactive output stays unchanged.
Acceptance criteria
- Windows agent prompt references
execute_powershell/ PowerShell with norefine()involved; #85 goal met. - Interactive mode produces a measurably terser, less-verification-heavy prompt; non-interactive snapshot unchanged; OpenHands/software-agent-sdk#1317 goal met.
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