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FiniteStateMachineTask

Model concepts using finite state machine analysis to identify states, map transitions, and validate system logic.

Category: Reasoning Model: GPT-4 Preferred Output: Mermaid + Markdown

⚙️ TaskConfig.json

{
  "concept_to_model": "User Authentication",
  "domain_context": "Web Security",
  "identify_edge_cases": true,
  "validate_properties": true,
  "input_files": ["src/auth/*.kt"],
  "generate_test_scenarios": true
}

→

👁️ Generated State Diagram

stateDiagram-v2 [*] --> Unauthenticated Unauthenticated --> Authenticating : login_attempt Authenticating --> Authenticated : success Authenticating --> Locked : max_retries_exceeded Authenticated --> [*] : logout Locked --> Unauthenticated : reset_timeout Authenticated --> Authenticating : session_expired

✔ 5 States Identified
✔ 6 Transitions Mapped
✔ Properties Validated (Deterministic)

Live Results Showcase

Explore actual artifacts generated by this task, including the full Markdown analysis and Mermaid source files.

Configuration Parameters

Field	Type	Description
`concept_to_model`*	`String`	The concept, system, or process to model as a finite state machine.
`domain_context`	`String`	Domain or context for the FSM (e.g., 'authentication system').
`initial_states`	`List<String>`	Initial state(s) to consider for the state discovery.
`known_events`	`List<String>`	Known events or triggers that cause state transitions.
`identify_edge_cases`	`Boolean`	Whether to identify edge cases and error states. Default: `true`.
`validate_properties`	`Boolean`	Whether to validate state machine properties (determinism, completeness, reachability). Default: `true`.
`generate_test_scenarios`	`Boolean`	Whether to generate test scenarios for state transitions. Default: `true`.
`input_files`	`List<String>`	Glob patterns for source code to be used as input for the task.

Task Process Lifecycle

1. State Identification: Analyzes the concept and reference files to define states, invariants, and entry/exit conditions.
2. Transition Mapping: Identifies events, guard conditions, and actions that move the system between states.
3. Diagram Generation: Produces a stateDiagram-v2 Mermaid block for visual documentation.
4. Edge Case Analysis: (Optional) Detects invalid transitions, missing paths, and race conditions.
5. Formal Validation: (Optional) Evaluates the FSM for determinism, completeness, reachability, and liveness.
6. Test Scenario Generation: (Optional) Creates "Happy Path" and "Error Path" sequences for QA validation.

Direct Orchestration

Use this when adding the task to a custom agentic workflow.

Kotlin

val task = FiniteStateMachineTask(
    orchestrationConfig = config,
    planTask = FiniteStateMachineTaskExecutionConfigData(
        concept_to_model = "Payment Gateway",
        domain_context = "E-commerce",
        input_files = listOf("src/payments/**/*.kt"),
        validate_properties = true
    )
)

Embedded Execution (Headless)

Invoke as a standalone tool using the UnifiedHarness for CI/CD or CLI tools.

Embedded Example

import com.simiacryptus.cognotik.plan.TaskType
import com.simiacryptus.cognotik.plan.tools.reasoning.FiniteStateMachineTask.Companion.FiniteStateMachine
import com.simiacryptus.cognotik.plan.tools.reasoning.FiniteStateMachineTask.FiniteStateMachineTaskExecutionConfigData
harness.runTask(
    taskType = FiniteStateMachine,
    typeConfig = TaskTypeConfig(name = "FsmAnalyzer"),
    executionConfig = FiniteStateMachineTaskExecutionConfigData(
        concept_to_model = "Order Lifecycle",
        domain_context = "Logistics",
        generate_test_scenarios = true
    ),
    workspace = File("./project-dir"),
    autoFix = true
)

Prompt Segment

The following logic is injected into the LLM context:

FiniteStateMachine - Model concepts using finite state machine analysis
  ** Specify the concept, system, or process to model
  ** Optionally provide initial states and known events
  ** Identify all possible states and transitions
  ** Detect edge cases and error states
  ** Validate FSM properties (determinism, completeness, reachability)
  ** Generate test scenarios for state transitions
  ** Produces state diagram and transition table
  ** Useful for:
     - System design and validation
     - Understanding complex workflows
     - Identifying missing requirements
     - Test case generation
     - Protocol analysis