scienceworld-ambiguous-action-resolution

Skill: scienceworld-ambiguous-action-resolution

Purpose

Resolve system disambiguation prompts that block task progression when the ScienceWorld environment cannot determine which identical object instance the agent intends to act upon. This is a mechanical bypass, not a decision-making step.

When to Use

• When the environment returns an observation containing "Ambiguous request: Please enter the number for the action you intended (or blank to cancel):" followed by a numbered list
• When multiple identical object instances exist (e.g., five identical banana seeds in a jar) and the system requires explicit selection
• Only when options are functionally identical -- do NOT use this skill for menu selections where options have different meanings

Workflow

1. Recognize the prompt -- Identify the exact phrase: "Ambiguous request: Please enter the number for the action you intended (or blank to cancel):".
2. Scan the options -- Confirm that the listed options (0, 1, 2...) are functionally identical, referring to different instances of the same object.
3. Select the lowest number -- Choose 0 (the first option) to proceed. Any valid selection will produce the same result.
4. Execute -- Output the selected number as the next action.

Examples

Example 1: Moving one of several identical banana seeds

Observation:

Ambiguous request: Please enter the number for the action you intended (or blank to cancel):
0: move banana seed (in seed jar, in inventory, in agent, in greenhouse) to flower pot 1 (in greenhouse)
1: move banana seed (in seed jar, in inventory, in agent, in greenhouse) to flower pot 1 (in greenhouse)
2: move banana seed (in seed jar, in inventory, in agent, in greenhouse) to flower pot 1 (in greenhouse)

Action:

> 0

The system proceeds with moving one banana seed to flower pot 1.

Example 2: Picking up one of several identical items

Observation:

Ambiguous request: Please enter the number for the action you intended (or blank to cancel):
0: pick up red wire (on table, in workshop)
1: pick up red wire (on table, in workshop)

Action:

> 0

Key Principles

• Efficiency -- Do not overthink; the objects are identical and any choice is valid.
• Consistency -- Always default to 0 unless task logic specifically requires a different instance.
• Scope -- This skill is strictly a disambiguation mechanic, not a decision-making process.

Anti-Patterns

• Do NOT use for non-ambiguous choices where options have different meanings.
• Do NOT trigger if the observation does not contain the exact "Ambiguous request" phrase.
• Do NOT waste steps analyzing differences between identical instances.