---
slug: "FrameError"
name: "FrameError"
type: "Reasoning"
layer: "Mind"
ref: "FrameError#1d0a"
sema_id: "sema:FrameError#mh:SHA-256:1d0ac501f011a053fde50bef6bc2a781c2f916014f4b2b74de955f6d84db9c5d"
tags: ["Mind","Reasoning"]
updated: 2026-11-11
mindscape: "bootstrap"
index_url: https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/index.json
url: https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/FrameError/
related: ["AcceptSpec","Compensate","Retry","DecompositionGate","PerformanceSignal","RootSolver"]
---

# FrameError

Typed failure signaling that lateral reframing, not retry, is required

Layer: Mind · Category: Reasoning

## Mechanism

A typed failure signaling that an acceptance gate rejection requires lateral reframing of the problem rather than retry. Produced by an [AcceptSpec](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/AcceptSpec.md) when a non-compensatory gate fails, the FrameError carries the specific gate that rejected and a reframing hint pointing the upstream planner toward a different frame. Distinct from transient failures (which warrant [Retry](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Retry.md)) and from compensable failures (which warrant [Compensate](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Compensate.md)): a FrameError asserts that the current frame is wrong, not that execution went wrong.

## Invariants

- A FrameError from a child forces the parent to restructure its approach, not re-execute.
- Must carry identification of the rejecting gate and a reframing hint — a bare FrameError without context is actionable only as 'halt'.

## Failure modes

- Receiving Solver treats FrameError as a generic failure and retries, wasting budget on the wrong frame.
- Missing reframing hint leaves the parent Solver unable to select a new approach — degenerates to halt.
- Cascaded FrameErrors without dampening cause thrash between frames.

## Builds on

- [AcceptSpec](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/AcceptSpec.md) (Infrastructure; References)
- [Compensate](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Compensate.md) (Infrastructure; References)
- [Retry](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Retry.md) (Mind; References)

## Used by

- [DecompositionGate](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/DecompositionGate.md) (Mind; References)
- [PerformanceSignal](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/PerformanceSignal.md) (Infrastructure; References)
- [RootSolver](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/RootSolver.md) (Mind; References)

## Identity

- Sema ID: `sema:FrameError#mh:SHA-256:1d0ac501f011a053fde50bef6bc2a781c2f916014f4b2b74de955f6d84db9c5d`
- Ref: `FrameError#1d0a`
- Supersedes:
  - `sema:FrameError#mh:SHA-256:f67433d411f7ce3c8582a6685e6fc43285c2e96680b404acb8f399a74198fe4b`
  - `sema:FrameError#mh:SHA-256:22e143610af8d9d6296b9497ad462eb71a3933aa6d77488f6a1e2226f81c45fc`
  - `sema:FrameError#mh:SHA-256:53e33befdcaffe1885b8604f77b4a1b508db41bd80cbd440c5d1fe6452336e40`

## Links

- [Pattern page](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/FrameError/)
- [View in the interactive graph](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/#FrameError)
- [JSON](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/FrameError.json)
- [Index of all patterns](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/index.json)