Repeating: The model used search patterns that don't match anything in the file. Retrying... #8237

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1. mosmondor

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   on Dec 20, 2025
2. linear commented on Dec 20, 2025

   

   linearBot

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   CLINE-531
3. github-actions

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   VS CodeIssues specific to VS CodeIssues specific to VS Code

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4. mosmondor commented on Dec 20, 2025

   

   mosmondor

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   Was using gpt-5.2 at the time.
5. saoudrizwan

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6. alexe100dra commented on Dec 21, 2025

   

   alexe100dra

   on Dec 21, 2025

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   happens a lot lately .... i'm on gpt-5.1
7. github-actions

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   Investigation NeededRequires debugging or root cause analysisRequires debugging or root cause analysis

   Model QualityIssues caused by model limitations, not Cline bugsIssues caused by model limitations, not Cline bugs

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8. cline

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9. saoudrizwan

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10. github-actions commented on Dec 21, 2025

    

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    Thanks for reporting this. This is a known, long-standing issue tracked in #4384 (the meta-issue for file editing reliability), and there's also #7665 which is essentially a duplicate reporting the same infinite retry loop.

    What's happening

    When Cline uses the replace_in_file tool, it needs the model to provide an exact text match of the code being replaced. When the model outputs search patterns that don't match the file (often due to whitespace/indentation differences or the model "remembering" an older version of the file), Cline retries. Without intervention, this can loop indefinitely, burning through tokens and money.

    GPT-5.1/5.2 context

    You mentioned using GPT-5.2 and another commenter mentioned GPT-5.1. Interestingly, Cline recently added an APPLY_PATCH tool specifically for GPT-5.1+ models (PR #8167, merged Dec 18) which should theoretically be more reliable since it's the patch format these models were trained on. However, this only applies when native tool calling is enabled.

    Could you confirm:

    1. Are you using native tool calling in your settings?
    2. Is this happening with a specific type of file or code pattern?
    3. Can you share the Cline logs from when this occurs? (They would help identify whether it's using replace_in_file vs APPLY_PATCH)

    Existing safeguards

    Cline already has a maxConsecutiveMistakes setting (default: 3) that should pause and ask for guidance when this happens repeatedly. There's also a recent PR (#8189) that auto-fails tasks in YOLO mode when this limit is hit. However, the core issue is that the model keeps retrying the same failing pattern.

    Workarounds

    From #4384 comments, some users have had success adding custom instructions like:

    "For replace_in_file tool, ensure you use correct indentation. If search and replace does not work after 2 attempts, fall back to write_to_file or ask the user for help."

    SME	Reason
    @abeatrix	Authored the APPLY_PATCH tool PR #8167 and handles streaming/diff edit issues
    @arafatkatze	Active on file editing reliability, authored auto-fail PR #8189

    ---

    Possible Duplicates:

    • got this error hundred of times today - The model used search patterns that don't match anything in the file. Retrying... #7665 - Same error message ("search patterns that don't match"), same infinite loop behavior, reported by multiple users
    • Fix File Editing Tool Reliability - replace_in_file, write_to_file, and Diff Failures #4384 - Meta-issue tracking all file editing reliability problems including this
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13. saoudrizwan commented on Dec 21, 2025

    

    saoudrizwan

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    hey! we tracked this down to a bug with recent changes to native tool calling and parallel tool calling. fix is coming in the next release 🙏

    ❤️React with ❤️5Reacted by RK, Dmitry Dubinin, RuntimeRacer, Ara and mr_ruffiØ
14. RuntimeRacer commented on Jan 4, 2026

    

    RuntimeRacer

    on Jan 4, 2026

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    Still an Issue in Cline v3.46.1; had these issues repeatedly during last few days. Sorry for cross posting; it's just super annoying. Steals time and token budget.
    
15. BlackDahlia313 commented on Feb 11, 2026

    

    BlackDahlia313

    on Feb 11, 2026

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    I am having this issue and I am using claude. Like Cline has become useless to me now.
16. wchoi32

    added a commit that references this issue on Mar 23, 2026

    feat: add doom loop detection for repeated identical tool calls

    ...

    311f576
17. ClineXDiego commented on Mar 24, 2026

    

    ClineXDiego

    on Mar 24, 2026

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    Thanks for the report. PR #9933 was just merged — it adds detection for repeated identical tool calls, which should catch the repeating search pattern issue. Expect the fix in the next release. Feel free to reopen if you still see it after updating.
18. ClineXDiego

    closed this as completedon Mar 24, 2026
19. riverar commented on May 15, 2026

    

    riverar

    on May 15, 2026

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    Stiill seeing this in 3.83.0 w/ gemma-4-26B-A4B-it