Query refinement is the recovery step used when retrieval returns weak, empty, or irrelevant results: reformulate the query and try again before concluding that information is absent. section 7.2.3
A practical refinement loop can use:
- Synonyms when the wording may not match the stored information. section 7.2.3
- Broader terms when the initial query is overly specific. section 7.2.3
- Subquestions when the original request contains several information needs. section 7.2.3
- A retry before treating an empty result as evidence that the answer is unavailable. section 7.2.3
From failed retrieval to refinement
A query such as “Nebula Forge engine uses” can return no matches, causing an agent to answer “Unknown.” A refinement instruction makes the agent try a better keyword query before giving up. Clarifying the search tool as a keyword-search function reinforces this behavior. section 7.2.3
