Retry Skill
Retry the last query with a more capable model when the initial attempt failed or was insufficient.
What This Does
When a query routed to a cheaper model (Haiku or Sonnet) produces unsatisfactory results, errors, or timeouts, use /retry to:
- •Re-route to the next tier up (Haiku -> Sonnet -> Opus)
- •Preserve the original query context
- •Give the more capable model a chance to succeed
Usage
code
/retry # Escalate to next tier /retry deep # Force escalation to Opus /retry standard # Force escalation to Sonnet
When to Use
- •Timeout or error: Query failed due to complexity
- •Incomplete answer: Model didn't fully address the question
- •Wrong approach: Model misunderstood the task
- •Need more depth: Initial answer was too superficial
How It Works
- •Read the last routing decision from session state (
~/.claude/router-session.json) - •Determine the appropriate escalation:
- •
fast(Haiku) ->standard(Sonnet) - •
standard(Sonnet) ->deep(Opus) - •
deep(Opus) -> Already at max, suggest different approach
- •
- •Re-execute the last query with the escalated model
- •Update session state with the new route
Instructions
When this skill is invoked:
- •Check for explicit model - Did user specify
deep/opusorstandard/sonnet?- •YES: Use that model. DO NOT auto-escalate. Honor the explicit choice.
- •NO: Proceed to escalation logic
- •Read session state from
~/.claude/router-session.json - •Determine escalation (only if no explicit model):
- •From
fast: Escalate tostandard - •From
standard: Escalate todeep - •From
deep: Already at max, suggest different approach
- •From
- •Inform the user of the escalation
- •Spawn the appropriate subagent using Task tool
CRITICAL: If user specifies a model (/retry deep, /retry standard), use exactly that model. No exceptions.
Example
User ran a complex refactoring query that was routed to Haiku. Haiku produced incomplete results.
code
User: /retry
Assistant: Escalating from Haiku to Sonnet...
Re-running your refactoring query with more capable model.
[Spawns standard-executor with the original query]
Notes
- •This skill reads the session state, which persists for 30 minutes
- •If no previous query exists, inform the user
- •Consider the failure reason when suggesting the escalation level