AI Agent overhauls and becomes more and more chaotic, usually not because the tool is not good, but because the task is too large, the acceptance is unclear, and the scope of modification is out of control. The solution is not to change the model, but to divide the task into three steps: "understanding, modifying, and verifying", and each step must have verifiable results.
Step 1: Just let it understand
Don't let the agent change the file yet. Have it search for relevant code, list the call chain, indicate possible causes, and explain which files it wants to change. You need to make sure it's in the right place before moving on to the next step.
If it can't even say the relevant documents, just letting it implement it will only amplify the error.
Step 2: Change only the minimum range
Solve only one problem at a time. For example, "fix login failure prompt", do not change the form style, interface encapsulation, permission logic, and route jump at the same time. Ask it to change up to 2 to 4 files and list the purpose of the change for each file.
If it proposes to refactor half of the project, let it explain why minor changes are not enough. Most business problems don't require rewriting the architecture.
Step 3: Accept with commands
After the change, you must run verification: unit test, type check, lint, build, and choose at least one command related to the task. When there is no test, ask it to write down the manual acceptance steps.
Don't continue to add demand if acceptance fails, but return to the reason for failure. AI Agents are most likely to continue patching after failure and end up messing up the project.
Give it a fixed tip
Say something like, "Don't edit yet." The first step is to read only the code and give the plan; The second step is to make only minimal changes after I confirm it; Step 3: Run the validation and fix it based on the failure results. List the files and the reason for each step. ”
This method works with Codex, Cursor, Claude Code, and Windsurf. AI Agent can do big tasks, but big tasks must be accepted in stages. Otherwise it is not helping you develop, but spreading uncertainty to more files.
