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graceful degradation
A dependency is down and the product still does the core job, minus the ornament.
What is graceful degradation?
Graceful degradation is a planned lesser mode: recommendations hidden, search fallback to a simple query, images optional. The alternative is a blank page because the ranking service timed out. It is designed, not an empty catch.
Why does graceful degradation matter when vibe coding?
Models `try/catch` and return 500, or they swallow the error and show zeros. Name what the page still offers when each dependency is absent.
How do you do graceful degradation?
For each downstream call, write the fallback in the same change: hide the module, serve cached, or fail the request if the dependency is the product. Do not invent data.
How do you ask a model for graceful degradation?
If (dependency) fails, (hide the widget / serve the last cache / fail the request — pick one). Do not 500 the whole page for an optional block. Do not invent fake results.
What goes wrong with graceful degradation?
A fallback that calls a second, heavier path. You degraded into a stampede. The fallback must be cheaper than the primary.