> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.svrnos.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# GER-434 · Compound Reliability Decay Without Budgeting

> Operator deploys a multi-step agent chain without computing end-to-end reliability as a function of per-step reliability. The compound failure rate is catastrophically higher than any individual step's apparent reliabili…

export const Badge = ({children, tone = "default", title}) => {
  const tones = {
    default: "bg-neutral-100 text-neutral-700",
    green: "bg-green-100 text-green-900",
    amber: "bg-amber-100 text-amber-900",
    blue: "bg-blue-50 text-blue-900",
    gray: "bg-neutral-50 text-neutral-600"
  };
  return <span className={`inline-flex items-center px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-mono uppercase tracking-wider rounded ${tones[tone] ?? tones.default}`} title={title}>
      {children}
    </span>;
};

<div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2 mb-8 mt-2">
  <Badge tone="amber">Illustrative</Badge> <Badge>Tier 4xx</Badge> <Badge>Layer L6</Badge> <Badge tone="blue" title="SVRNOS-assigned code in an HTTP-unassigned slot">Namespace-Claim</Badge> <Badge tone="gray">Added v0.2</Badge>
</div>

*Operator / Platform Errors*

## Definition

Operator deploys a multi-step agent chain without computing end-to-end reliability as a function of per-step reliability. The compound failure rate is catastrophically higher than any individual step's apparent reliability.

## Distinct from

* [**GER-422**](/ger/codes/422) — Operator honest per-step measurement, compound math not done → this code. Vendor overstated capability → GER-422.

## Tags

`agentic` · `eu-ai-act`

### Cite

```
SVRNOS. (2026). GER-434: Compound Reliability Decay Without Budgeting. Governance Error Register. https://docs.svrnos.com/ger/codes/434
```