---
id: ORC-7
family: RT-ORC
level: core
profiles: [runtime]
posture: normative-target
added: "1.0"
changed: "1.0"
source: https://flowdrop.io/spec/rules/rt-orc/orc-7
specification: FlowDrop Workflow Specification 1.0-draft
licence: CC BY 4.0
---

# ORC-7 — Direct synchronous execution refuses a workflow that loops

*RT-ORC (Part II) · level: core · profiles: runtime · added in 1.0*

The engine walks the compiled order once and never re-enters a node, so it cannot iterate a loop. It refuses the workflow rather than running the body once and reporting success.

## The rule

> **Normative.** This is the rule.
>
> 1. Direct synchronous execution walks the compiled execution order once, top to bottom, carrying results in memory, and never re-enters a node.
>
> 2. After compiling and before any node executes, it checks the compiled graph for loopback edges; where any is present it refuses the run with a distinguishable refusal that names the offending edges and nodes and points at the strategies that do iterate, and no node executes.

## Why

Recorded under OPEN-13.

## Related rules

- Names: CMP-5, ORC-9
- Referenced by: ORC-8

---

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.