Spec mode stuck in design phase consuming credits without completing file

[fcamasca]

Before opening, please confirm:

• I have searched for duplicate or closed issues

Operating System

win32

Kiro Version

0.11.133

Bug Description

While running a Spec workflow (requirements → design → tasks), the agent got stuck during the design phase and consumed all my credits without completing the file.

Observed behavior:
The agent created the design.md file with only a header. Then it attempted to continue editing the file but got stuck. Instead of progressing, it triggered a large batch of edit attempts (around 110), which were all canceled together when the credits ran out. The file was never completed.

Impact:
Loss of credits, incomplete design.md, and inability to continue the workflow to tasks.

Request:
Please investigate this behavior and consider adding retry limits or loop detection. Also requesting a review for possible credit reimbursement due to this issue.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Start Spec mode
2. Generate requirements (this completed successfully)
3. Continue to design
4. Observe behavior on design.md

Expected Behavior

The agent should complete the design document normally or stop after a few failed attempts. It should not enter a loop that consumes all credits without producing results.

Conversation ID

226874be-35e6-4d41-9619-095daefbfa2d
226874be-35e6-4d41-9619-095daefbfa2d
226874be-35e6-4d41-9619-095daefbfa2d
226874be-35e6-4d41-9619-095daefbfa2d
226874be-35e6-4d41-9619-095daefbfa2d

Additional Context

The requirements phase worked fine. The issue seems specific to the design phase and file editing process.

[github-actions]

Thanks for opening this issue and providing such a detailed report, including the conversation ID and clear reproduction steps! We understand how frustrating it must be to have the agent get stuck in a loop during the design phase, especially when it results in lost credits. A maintainer will review this shortly to investigate the looping behavior. We really appreciate you taking the time to help us improve Kiro! 🙏

[ZiggyStarduster]

I am having the similar issues but batch edits being attempted on empty file, never completes but constantly consumes credits.

[Robert-f-coder]

I am also having a similar issue on the design file along with a different non-spec file, in my case Kiro hasn't written anything to the design.md and has spun off 17 edits instances

Mac OS X

Version: 0.11.133
VSCode Version: 1.107.1
Commit: f7f7d41b94b715768e6eaf53c0e0845e698a5587
Date: 2026-04-22T18:30:59.179Z (1 wk ago)
Electron: 39.6.0
Chromium: 142.0.7444.265
Node.js: 22.22.0
V8: 14.2.231.22-electron.0
OS: Darwin arm64 25.4.0