---
id: ERR-11
family: RT-ERR
level: extended
profiles: [runtime]
posture: normative-target
added: "1.0"
changed: "1.0"
source: https://flowdrop.io/spec/rules/rt-err/err-11
specification: FlowDrop Workflow Specification 1.0-draft
licence: CC BY 4.0
---

# ERR-11 — Retry is opt-in, in place, and immediate

*RT-ERR (Part II) · level: extended · profiles: runtime · added in 1.0*

There is no backoff and no delay, so a retry is only ever appropriate where the node is idempotent. That is the author's contract, not the runtime's.

## The rule

> **Normative.** This is the rule.
>
> 1. A node retries only where its configured maximum retry count is greater than zero; the default is zero.
>
> 2. Only a retryable error output retries.
>
> 3. A retry re-executes the node in place and immediately, with no backoff, and the attempt count persists across the run so the maximum bounds the total attempts.

## Related rules

- Names: ERR-2
- Referenced by: ERR-2

---

Rule identifiers are permanent and are never renumbered. This specification carries
no implementation status: each implementation publishes its own standing against
these rules. Licensed CC BY 4.0.