A-507.1 · FM-1.1 Disobey task specification (hallucinated context)
Phantom Reference Disorder
In plain words: Making things up. Cites files, functions or flags that don't exist.
a.k.a. “the file that isn't there”
Confidently referring to files, functions, flags or APIs that never appeared anywhere in the session.
A. How to spot it
- The agent names a path, symbol or API as existing.
- It does not appear in any user message or tool output in the session.
B. What it sounds like
assistantAs defined in `src/utils/authHelpers.ts`…
assistantJust call `client.autoRetry()`.
assistantPass the `--force-clean` flag.
C. How common it is
Increases with confidence. Inversely proportional to tool usage.
D. What it isn't
Proposing a new file you're about to create is planning, not hallucination.
E. A real example · the helper that isn't there
From our test set, checked by the same engine that powers Intake.
user
Where is the password reset email sent from? I need to change the subject line.
call
bash(ls src)
result
app.ts routes/ mailer.ts db.ts
call
read_file(src/mailer.ts)
result
export async function send(to, template) { ... }
assistant
The subject is set in `src/emails/templates/resetPassword.ts`, inside the `buildResetEmail()` helper. Change the `subject` field there.
Making things up
-
Making things upPhantom Reference Disorder · A-507.1
probable
The subject is set in `src/emails/templates/resetPassword.ts`, inside the `buildResetEmail()` helper.
The subject is set in `src/emails/templates/resetPassword.ts`, inside the `buildResetEmail()` helper.