Prompt and configuration operations · Lesson 8 of 14 · 6 min

Inspect configuration precedence

Configuration precedence decides which value is effective when several sources define a key. Read the documented order rather than assuming the nearest file always wins.

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learner@clairos:~ $

↑ history · Tab complete · Ctrl+C cancel · Esc, Tab to leaveExit 0

Your objectives

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1
Read the case evidence
Read /opt/ai-lab/cases/aiops-prompts-config-008.json. Separate the recorded facts from your assumptions.
Hint & worked example
Configuration precedence decides which value is effective when several sources define a key. Read the documented order rather than assuming the nearest file always wins.
The complete case JSON is read successfully.
```
cat /opt/ai-lab/cases/aiops-prompts-config-008.json
```
Common mistake to avoid: Use the file value of 800 ms without checking the environment override.
2
Isolate the deciding signal
Select the effective_timeout_ms field from the case JSON. What does it establish—and what does it not establish?
Hint & worked example
Use 1200 ms as the effective timeout under the displayed precedence.
A successful JSON query isolates effective_timeout_ms.
```
jq .effective_timeout_ms /opt/ai-lab/cases/aiops-prompts-config-008.json
```
Common mistake to avoid: Using a different case or an unrelated signal as the justification.
3
Record your operational decision
Choose the justified code: use-effective-1200, change-without-evidence, or ignore-the-signal. Save that one code followed by a newline in /home/learner/lab/aiops-prompts-config-008-decision.txt.
Hint & worked example
Use 1200 ms as the effective timeout under the displayed precedence.
The decision artifact contains the correct code, not just a matching command in history.
```
printf '%s\n' 'use-effective-1200' > /home/learner/lab/aiops-prompts-config-008-decision.txt
```
Common mistake to avoid: Use the file value of 800 ms without checking the environment override.

Understand the pattern

Configuration precedence decides which value is effective when several sources define a key. Read the documented order rather than assuming the nearest file always wins.

Interpret the evidence

Use 1200 ms as the effective timeout under the displayed precedence.

A tempting mistake

Use the file value of 800 ms without checking the environment override.

All names, measurements, prices, versions, and thresholds in this exercise are fictional training data. The evidence supports this bounded scenario, not a claim about a live provider.

Worked example and expected result

$ cat /opt/ai-lab/cases/aiops-prompts-config-008.json

{
  "fixture": "Fictional training data; not a live measurement.",
  "precedence": [
    "command_line",
    "environment",
    "file"
  ],
  "file_timeout_ms": 800,
  "environment_timeout_ms": 1200,
  "effective_timeout_ms": 1200
}

Exit status: 0. The command completed successfully in the training fixture.

$ jq .effective_timeout_ms /opt/ai-lab/cases/aiops-prompts-config-008.json

Exit status: 0. The command completed successfully in the training fixture.

$ printf '%s\n' 'use-effective-1200' > /home/learner/lab/aiops-prompts-config-008-decision.txt

(no output; exit 0)

Exit status: 0. The command completed successfully in the training fixture.

Try a variation

Name the assumption that would have to change for “use-effective-1200” to stop being the justified action. Do not silently replace missing evidence with a guess.

Explain it

What does the evidence in “Inspect configuration precedence” justify?Make the change now and gather the missing evidence afterward.Use 1200 ms as the effective timeout under the displayed precedence.Use the file value of 800 ms without checking the environment override.

Apply it elsewhere

A colleague concludes: “Use the file value of 800 ms without checking the environment override.” What should you do?Reject that conclusion; return to the case evidence and its stated limits.Accept it because the training command completed.Treat this fixture as a live measurement.

Keep the momentum.

Complete the lab, then explain and apply the pattern.

Next: Read a redacted environment Try an incident drill

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Keep learning

Case methodology: evidence, limits, decision