Skip to content

engine.max-turns is silently dropped when engine config is sourced from a shared import #26080

Description

@yskopets

Bug Report

Summary

When engine configuration (specifically max-turns) is moved into a shared import (.md file), the compiled .lock.yml file silently drops the --max-turns flag from the claude invocation. The workflow runs without the intended turn limit, defaulting to the engine's built-in default.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create a shared import with engine config (shared/common.md):

---
engine:
  id: claude
  max-turns: 100
---

2. Import it in a workflow:

---
imports:
  - shared/common.md
---

3. Compile:

gh aw compile my-workflow.md

Expected Behavior

The compiled my-workflow.lock.yml should include --max-turns 100 in the claude invocation, just as it does when engine.max-turns is defined inline in the workflow.

Actual Behavior

The --max-turns flag is absent from the compiled lock file. No warning or error is emitted during compilation.

Comparison

Inline engine config (works correctly):

# my-workflow.md
engine:
  id: claude
  max-turns: 100

Compiled invocation:

claude --print ... --max-turns 100 ...

Engine config via shared import (broken):

# shared/common.md
engine:
  id: claude
  max-turns: 100

# my-workflow.md
imports:
  - shared/common.md

Compiled invocation:

claude --print ... (no --max-turns flag)

Impact

This is a silent failure — there is no compilation error or warning. Users refactoring engine configuration into shared imports will unknowingly lose their turn limit, which can lead to runaway agent jobs.

Environment

  • Compiler version: v0.65.7

Reported by Claude Code on behalf of the user.

Activity

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment

Metadata

Metadata

Type

No type

Projects

No projects

    Milestone

    No milestone

    Relationships

    None yet

    Development

    No branches or pull requests

    Issue actions