Symptoms
- Downstream step fails because expected fields are missing
- Tools expect JSON but receive plain text or markdown
- Output schema changes when input length changes
- One step swallows errors instead of surfacing them
Likely root causes
- No enforced output schema between steps
- No validation after each step
- Error handling is missing or vague
- Steps are owned by different people with different assumptions
What to submit for diagnosis
Send the prompts for two connected steps, an example of the handoff output, and any error message from the receiving step.
How TryPromptFlow checks this
- Defines the exact schema each step must produce
- Adds validation rules and fallback behavior
- Checks whether errors propagate clearly
- Recommends ownership and alerting for handoff failures
Example findings you might get back
- Step A returns unstructured text when Step B expects JSON
- Field names differ between steps
- Empty or partial outputs are not caught before the next step runs
- Schema is described in prose, not enforced
Risks if left unfixed
- Downstream errors look like model failures instead of handoff failures
- Debugging takes hours because the break point is hidden
- Automated workflows require constant babysitting
FAQ
Isn’t this an API integration problem?
Often it is. We treat the handoff as a contract and show you where the contract is broken.
Do I need strict JSON mode?
Usually yes, plus a validation layer. We show the exact shape and rules.
Can TryPromptFlow output a corrected workflow?
Yes — with schemas, validation rules, and an error-handling plan.