Error Recovery & Graceful Degradation
What is Error Recovery & Graceful Degradation?
Error Recovery & Graceful Degradation ensures systems fail gracefully with clear recovery paths instead of confusing errors. Instead of cryptic messages, the AI acknowledges limitations, explains issues, and offers next steps. It's critical for maintaining trust in production systems where failures have consequences. Examples include ChatGPT admitting uncertainty, Google Translate offering alternatives, or voice assistants suggesting different approaches when misunderstanding.
Problem
AI systems inevitably make mistakes or encounter unhandleable situations, potentially frustrating users.
Solution
Design graceful degradation and clear recovery paths to maintain user trust when AI fails.
Real-World Examples
Implementation
Figma Make Prompt
Guidelines & Considerations
Implementation Guidelines
Use plain-language error messages that explain what happened (e.g., 'We're at capacity' not 'Error 503').
Always show that user work is saved to reduce anxiety.
Offer 2-3 clear recovery options: retry, wait in queue, or use offline/basic mode.
Use warm colors (amber/yellow) for capacity issues, not harsh red.
Provide graceful degradation - basic features that work when AI services fail.
Preserve user context across errors - don't lose their input or workflow state.
Design Considerations
Capacity errors are inevitable during high demand - design for them proactively.
Transparency builds trust - users are forgiving when they understand what's happening.
Different errors need different tones: capacity issues vs critical failures.
Test offline/degraded modes thoroughly - they must actually work when needed.
Balance retry options with preventing users from overwhelming failing services.
Ensure error recovery works with accessibility tools and keyboard navigation.