How can Atlas tell if my `cabal build` is waiting for input?

Atlas's `bash` tool executes your `cabal build` command and monitors its behavior. If the command times out, the `shell_metadata` block in Atlas's output explicitly states if the process was 'blocked on interactive input', distinguishing it from a genuinely slow compilation.

What if my `hspec` tests are just very slow, not blocked?

If Atlas's `shell_metadata` indicates your `hspec` tests 'exceeded the timeout' without mentioning interactive input, it means the tests are genuinely slow. You should re-run the command with a larger timeout value using `atlas bash --timeout 'hspec'`.

Can Atlas help me fix a `cabal` command that's blocked on input?

Yes, once Atlas diagnoses a `cabal` command as blocked on interactive input, it will suggest re-running it with non-interactive flags. For `cabal`, this often means using `cabal build --non-interactive` or configuring CI environment variables to prevent prompts.

Does Atlas modify my Haskell source files without asking?

No, Atlas never modifies your Haskell source files or `.cabal` configuration without explicit approval. It drafts a plan in a read-only agent, computes a unified diff for any proposed changes, and surfaces it for your review and approval before writing.

How does Atlas understand my Haskell project structure?

Atlas builds its code index by parsing your Haskell project's AST declarations using tree-sitter. It reads `.cabal` files, module hierarchies, `default-extensions`, and `build-depends` bounds to reason about your type signatures and typeclass instances.

Can Atlas apply `fourmolu` formatting after a fix?

Yes, after Atlas helps resolve a hanging command or makes any code changes, you can ask it to apply `fourmolu` to the modified Haskell modules. This ensures your codebase remains consistently formatted according to your project's style guidelines before you approve the commit.

What if I manually stop a hanging Haskell command in Atlas?

If you manually abort a Haskell command running through Atlas's `bash` tool, the `shell_metadata` block will clearly state 'User aborted the command'. This distinguishes your intentional interrupt from a timeout or a command blocked on input, providing clear context.

Diagnose a hanging or long-running command in Haskell with Atlas in 2026

In 2026, Haskell developers can use Atlas to efficiently diagnose why a `cabal` build, `hspec` test suite, or custom script is hanging or running slowly. Atlas's `bash` tool executes commands with a timeout, providing clear `shell_metadata` to distinguish between a process blocked on interactive input and one that is genuinely compute-bound, enabling precise resolution.

How Atlas Diagnoses Hanging Haskell `cabal` Builds and `hspec` Tests

Atlas, in 2026, diagnoses hanging Haskell commands by executing them through its `bash` tool, which races every operation against a configurable timeout. When a `cabal build` or `hspec` test run exceeds this limit, Atlas provides a detailed `shell_metadata` block, explicitly identifying if the process was blocked on interactive input.

When a Haskell developer encounters a seemingly stuck `cabal build` or a non-responsive `hspec` test suite, Atlas provides a precise diagnostic. Instead of manually inspecting process states, the developer runs the command via Atlas's `bash` tool. For instance, `atlas bash 'cabal build'` will execute the build. If the command hangs, Atlas's `bash` tool will terminate it after a default or specified timeout. The crucial output is the `shell_metadata` block, which clearly states whether the command was 'blocked on interactive input' or simply 'exceeded the timeout'. This distinction is vital for Haskell projects, where a `cabal` command might silently wait for a confirmation or a script might expect user input, leading to perceived hangs. Atlas's ability to index code by AST declarations using tree-sitter and reason about type signatures helps it understand the context of these commands, even if it is not directly used in the diagnosis step itself, it informs the overall agent's understanding of the Haskell codebase.

What Concrete Commands and Files Does Atlas Use for Haskell Diagnosis?

Atlas leverages standard Haskell toolchain commands like `cabal` and `hspec` in 2026, alongside its own `bash` tool, to diagnose command hangs. The process involves running commands such as `atlas bash 'cabal test'` and inspecting the `shell_metadata` output for specific diagnostic messages.

To diagnose a hanging Haskell command, Atlas directly interacts with the project's existing toolchain. For example, if a developer suspects their `cabal build` is stuck, they would execute `atlas bash 'cabal build'`. Similarly, for a test suite, the command would be `atlas bash 'hspec'` or `atlas bash 'cabal test'`. Atlas's `bash` tool then monitors these commands. The key diagnostic information is found within the `shell_metadata` block that Atlas outputs upon timeout. This block will explicitly state if the command was 'blocked on interactive input'. If this is the case, the developer knows to re-run the command with non-interactive flags. For `cabal`, this might involve `cabal build --non-interactive` or setting CI environment variables. For other scripts, common flags include `-y` or `--no-input`. Atlas's understanding of the Haskell project structure, derived from parsing `.cabal` files and module hierarchies, allows it to suggest appropriate non-interactive flags or even modify the `build-depends` in a `.cabal` file if a dependency is causing issues, though the immediate diagnosis is through the `bash` tool's output.

How Atlas Ensures Review and Safety When Diagnosing Haskell Problems

Atlas prioritizes developer control and safety in 2026, even when diagnosing hanging Haskell commands. Every Atlas tool call, including `bash` executions, is permission-gated, requiring explicit allow, ask, or deny rules. This ensures that no `cabal` command or file modification occurs without the Haskell developer's full awareness and approval.

When using Atlas to diagnose a hanging `cabal build` or `hspec` test, safety and review are paramount. Atlas operates with a permission-gated system, meaning every tool call, including the `bash` executions used for diagnosis, must adhere to predefined allow, ask, or deny rules. Before Atlas attempts to re-run a command with different flags or suggest a code change to resolve a blocking input, it drafts a plan in a read-only plan agent. This plan is presented to the Haskell developer for approval. If the plan involves modifying a `.cabal` file, a Haskell source file, or applying `fourmolu` formatting, Atlas computes a unified diff for every proposed file edit. This diff is surfaced for approval, allowing the developer to review the exact changes before they are written to disk. Furthermore, Atlas snapshots file changes as git patches, providing a robust rollback mechanism. This ensures that even when Atlas helps resolve complex issues like a `cabal` dependency conflict or a GHC type error, the developer maintains complete control over their Haskell codebase, preventing unintended modifications.

Step by step

01Run the Haskell command with Atlas's `bash` tool: Execute your `cabal build`, `hspec` test, or custom Haskell script using `atlas bash 'cabal build'` or `atlas bash 'hspec'` to enable timeout monitoring.
02Inspect the `shell_metadata` for diagnosis: After the command times out, read the `shell_metadata` block in Atlas's output. Look for the explicit message indicating if the command was 'blocked on interactive input'.
03If blocked, re-run with non-interactive flags: For a `cabal` command, retry with `atlas bash 'cabal build --non-interactive'` or ensure CI environment variables are set. For other Haskell scripts, use flags like `-y` or `--no-input`.
04If genuinely slow, increase the timeout: If the `shell_metadata` indicates 'exceeded the timeout' without being blocked, re-run the command with a larger timeout value, for example, `atlas bash --timeout 60000 'cabal build'` for 60 seconds.
05Review Atlas's proposed changes: If Atlas suggests modifications to your `.cabal` file or Haskell source code to resolve the issue, review the unified diff and approve the changes before they are written.
06Apply `fourmolu` formatting: Before committing, let Atlas apply `fourmolu` to any changed Haskell modules by asking it to `atlas apply fourmolu` to ensure consistent code style.

Frequently asked questions

How can Atlas tell if my `cabal build` is waiting for input?: Atlas's `bash` tool executes your `cabal build` command and monitors its behavior. If the command times out, the `shell_metadata` block in Atlas's output explicitly states if the process was 'blocked on interactive input', distinguishing it from a genuinely slow compilation.
What if my `hspec` tests are just very slow, not blocked?: If Atlas's `shell_metadata` indicates your `hspec` tests 'exceeded the timeout' without mentioning interactive input, it means the tests are genuinely slow. You should re-run the command with a larger timeout value using `atlas bash --timeout <milliseconds> 'hspec'`.
Can Atlas help me fix a `cabal` command that's blocked on input?: Yes, once Atlas diagnoses a `cabal` command as blocked on interactive input, it will suggest re-running it with non-interactive flags. For `cabal`, this often means using `cabal build --non-interactive` or configuring CI environment variables to prevent prompts.
Does Atlas modify my Haskell source files without asking?: No, Atlas never modifies your Haskell source files or `.cabal` configuration without explicit approval. It drafts a plan in a read-only agent, computes a unified diff for any proposed changes, and surfaces it for your review and approval before writing.
How does Atlas understand my Haskell project structure?: Atlas builds its code index by parsing your Haskell project's AST declarations using tree-sitter. It reads `.cabal` files, module hierarchies, `default-extensions`, and `build-depends` bounds to reason about your type signatures and typeclass instances.
Can Atlas apply `fourmolu` formatting after a fix?: Yes, after Atlas helps resolve a hanging command or makes any code changes, you can ask it to apply `fourmolu` to the modified Haskell modules. This ensures your codebase remains consistently formatted according to your project's style guidelines before you approve the commit.
What if I manually stop a hanging Haskell command in Atlas?: If you manually abort a Haskell command running through Atlas's `bash` tool, the `shell_metadata` block will clearly state 'User aborted the command'. This distinguishes your intentional interrupt from a timeout or a command blocked on input, providing clear context.

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