Avoid Dead Loops

Sometimes you might see the message MAX_ACTIONS exceeded in your AI workflow:

This error occurs when an infinite loop (without user interaction) is accidentally created between Blocks:

Understanding the MAX_ACTIONS Limit

The system limits the number of Actions that can run without user interaction. Each time the user interacts, the MAX_ACTIONS counter is reset.

This protection mechanism prevents:

• Infinite loops that could crash the system
• Runaway processes that consume excessive resources
• Workflows that get stuck in endless cycles

When Loops Are Useful

In some cases, a loop in the background is useful — for example, when polling a remote API until the required data is available. If you expect the loop to run many times, you can prevent the MAX_ACTIONS exceeded error by adding a Wait Action with at least 1 second of delay inside the loop:

Best Practices to Avoid Dead Loops

1. Always Include Exit Conditions

When creating loops, always ensure there’s a clear way for the loop to end:

• Use conditional logic to break out of loops
• Set maximum iteration counts
• Include timeout mechanisms

2. Add User Interaction Points

Break up long automated sequences with user interaction points:

• Ask for user confirmation
• Request additional input
• Provide status updates that users can acknowledge

3. Use Wait Actions for Polling

When polling external services or APIs:

• Always include a Wait Action (minimum 1 second)
• Consider exponential backoff for retry mechanisms
• Set reasonable timeout limits

4. Test Your Workflows Thoroughly

Before deploying:

• Test all possible paths through your workflow
• Pay special attention to conditional branches
• Verify that all loops have proper exit conditions

5. Monitor Flow Execution

Use the testing tools in Pingstreams to:

• Step through your workflow manually
• Check for unexpected loops
• Verify proper path execution

Flow Time Limits

Keep in mind that any Flow without user interaction — including loops — can run for a maximum of 4 hours. After this time, the Flow will stop automatically at whatever step it has reached.

This safeguard ensures that:

• No workflow can run indefinitely
• System resources are protected
• Costs remain under control

Common Scenarios That Cause Dead Loops

Conditional Logic Errors

If condition A → Go to Block B
Block B always leads back to condition A

Missing Exit Conditions

Loop until data is available
But no fallback if data never becomes available

Circular References

Block A → Block B → Block C → Block A

Troubleshooting Dead Loops

If you encounter a MAX_ACTIONS error:

1. Review your workflow paths - Look for circular connections
2. Check conditional logic - Ensure all conditions have proper else cases
3. Add exit strategies - Include timeout conditions and maximum retry counts
4. Insert Wait Actions - Add delays in any repeated sequences
5. Test incrementally - Build and test your workflow in small sections

By following these guidelines, you can create robust AI workflows that avoid dead loops while still providing powerful automation capabilities.

If you have questions about Pingstreams features, feel free to contact our support team or leave feedback.