Note
September 16, 2026
1 min read
Ask the Agent for a Receipt
By Cristiano Pierry
An AI agent's finished work is easier to trust when its handoff shows what changed, what was checked, and what remains open.
“Done” is a surprisingly small handoff from an agent that may have touched many files.
I want a receipt: the files changed, the tests run, any checks skipped, and the part that still needs my judgment. If the agent chose an approach that closes off another option, I want that decision visible too.
This is useful even when the output looks right. A polished page can hide a broken mobile route. A passing test can cover the code while missing whether the interaction makes sense to a person. The receipt gives me a route into review instead of asking me to reverse-engineer the work.
The agent can carry the task. I still need to be able to inspect the handoff before I own the result.
This writing reflects my personal perspectives on product management, AI, and content discovery. It does not represent the official position of my employer or any affiliated organization.