diff --git a/docs/images/7dea0c14-54fc-459c-a739-835de945fa72.png b/docs/images/7dea0c14-54fc-459c-a739-835de945fa72.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c66e4d2
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/images/7dea0c14-54fc-459c-a739-835de945fa72.png differ
diff --git a/nightshift/config.py b/nightshift/config.py
index a722993..84a3b19 100644
--- a/nightshift/config.py
+++ b/nightshift/config.py
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ class PipelineConfig:
     max_task_retries: int
     stages: tuple[StageConfig, ...]
     continue_on_task_failure: bool = False
+    stop_on_repeated_failure_signature_after: int | None = None
 
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
@@ -265,6 +266,14 @@ def parse_config(raw: dict[str, Any], config_path: Path) -> NightShiftConfig:
         pipeline_raw.get("continue_on_task_failure", False),
         "pipeline.continue_on_task_failure",
     )
+    stop_on_repeated_failure_signature_after = _optional_int_or_none(
+        pipeline_raw.get("stop_on_repeated_failure_signature_after"),
+        "pipeline.stop_on_repeated_failure_signature_after",
+    )
+    if stop_on_repeated_failure_signature_after is not None and stop_on_repeated_failure_signature_after < 2:
+        raise ConfigError(
+            "Config error: pipeline.stop_on_repeated_failure_signature_after must be two or greater."
+        )
 
     stages_raw = pipeline_raw.get("stages")
     if not isinstance(stages_raw, list) or not stages_raw:
@@ -396,6 +405,7 @@ def parse_config(raw: dict[str, Any], config_path: Path) -> NightShiftConfig:
             max_task_retries=max_task_retries,
             stages=tuple(stages),
             continue_on_task_failure=continue_on_task_failure,
+            stop_on_repeated_failure_signature_after=stop_on_repeated_failure_signature_after,
         ),
         experiment=experiment,
     )
diff --git a/nightshift/escalation.py b/nightshift/escalation.py
index 872ccc0..23d5157 100644
--- a/nightshift/escalation.py
+++ b/nightshift/escalation.py
@@ -14,14 +14,32 @@ class EscalationDecision:
     reason: str
 
 
-def evaluate_retry_churn(entries: tuple[RetryMemoryEntry, ...], *, retry_budget: int) -> EscalationDecision:
+def evaluate_retry_churn(
+    entries: tuple[RetryMemoryEntry, ...],
+    *,
+    retry_budget: int,
+    repeated_signature_after: int | None = None,
+) -> EscalationDecision:
     if len(entries) < 2:
         return EscalationDecision(False, "continue", "Not enough retry history for churn detection.")
     recent = entries[-3:]
     same_stage = len({entry.stage_id for entry in recent}) == 1
     same_cause = len({entry.cause for entry in recent}) == 1
+    recent_signatures = [entry.failure_signature for entry in entries[-2:] if entry.failure_signature]
+    same_signature = len(recent_signatures) == 2 and len(set(recent_signatures)) == 1
     if len(entries) >= retry_budget and retry_budget > 0:
         return EscalationDecision(True, "human review", "Configured retry budget is exhausted.")
+    if (
+        repeated_signature_after is not None
+        and repeated_signature_after > 0
+        and len(entries) >= repeated_signature_after
+        and same_signature
+    ):
+        return EscalationDecision(
+            True,
+            "debugger review or larger model",
+            "The same failure signature repeated on consecutive retries.",
+        )
     if len(recent) == 3 and same_stage and same_cause:
         return EscalationDecision(True, "debugger review or larger model", "The same stage is failing with the same reason repeatedly.")
     return EscalationDecision(False, "continue", "No retry churn detected.")
diff --git a/nightshift/failures.py b/nightshift/failures.py
index a5fa1c5..634bd33 100644
--- a/nightshift/failures.py
+++ b/nightshift/failures.py
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ def classify_failure(output: str, exit_code: int | None = None, modified_files:
     text = output or ""
     lowered = text.lower()
     failing_tests = extract_failing_tests(text)
+    exception_name = _extract_exception_name(text)
+    source_path, _ = _extract_traceback_location(text)
 
     missing = re.search(r"No module named ['\"]([^'\"]+)['\"]", text, re.IGNORECASE)
     if not missing:
@@ -48,6 +50,25 @@ def classify_failure(output: str, exit_code: int | None = None, modified_files:
             "do not retry implementation until dependency is resolved",
             failing_tests,
         )
+    if exception_name and source_path and _looks_like_project_source(source_path):
+        if exception_name in {"TypeError", "AttributeError"}:
+            return FailureClassification(
+                "API misuse",
+                f"The implementation is calling an API with an incompatible shape near `{source_path}`.",
+                0.82,
+                "Retry implementation with the exception and relevant call site.",
+                "retry implementation",
+                failing_tests,
+            )
+        if exception_name in {"NameError", "OperationalError", "KeyError", "ValueError", "IndexError"}:
+            return FailureClassification(
+                "logic bug",
+                f"The failure originates in project code near `{source_path}`.",
+                0.8,
+                "Send the traceback and touched files back to the implementer.",
+                "retry implementation",
+                failing_tests,
+            )
     if re.search(r"\b(syntaxerror|indentationerror|importerror)\b", text, re.IGNORECASE):
         return FailureClassification(
             "syntax/import error",
@@ -113,6 +134,15 @@ def classify_failure(output: str, exit_code: int | None = None, modified_files:
     )
 
 
+def build_failure_signature(output: str, reason: str = "") -> str:
+    text = "\n".join(part for part in (reason, output) if part)
+    command = _extract_command(text)
+    exception_name = _extract_exception_name(text)
+    source_path, source_line = _extract_traceback_location(text)
+    parts = [part for part in (exception_name, source_path, source_line, command) if part]
+    return " | ".join(parts) if parts else "unknown-failure"
+
+
 def extract_failing_tests(output: str) -> tuple[str, ...]:
     tests: list[str] = []
     patterns = (
@@ -128,6 +158,56 @@ def extract_failing_tests(output: str) -> tuple[str, ...]:
     return tuple(tests)
 
 
+def _extract_exception_name(text: str) -> str:
+    candidates = []
+    for match in re.finditer(r"(?m)^(?:E\s+)?([A-Za-z0-9_.]+(?:Error|Exception|Warning|NameError|TypeError|AttributeError|KeyError|ValueError|IndexError)):\s*(.*)$", text):
+        candidates.append(match.group(1))
+    return candidates[-1] if candidates else ""
+
+
+def _extract_traceback_location(text: str) -> tuple[str, str]:
+    candidates: list[tuple[int, str, str]] = []
+    for match in re.finditer(r'(?m)^\s*File "([^"]+)", line (\d+), in .+$', text):
+        path = match.group(1)
+        line = match.group(2)
+        candidates.append((_traceback_score(path), path, line))
+    for match in re.finditer(r"(?m)^.*?([A-Za-z]:[\\/][^:\n]+?\.py):(\d+):", text):
+        path = match.group(1)
+        line = match.group(2)
+        candidates.append((_traceback_score(path), path, line))
+    if not candidates:
+        return "", ""
+    candidates.sort(key=lambda item: item[0], reverse=True)
+    _, path, line = candidates[0]
+    return path, line
+
+
+def _extract_command(text: str) -> str:
+    candidates = []
+    for match in re.finditer(r"Command:\s*`([^`]+)`", text):
+        candidates.append(match.group(1))
+    return candidates[-1] if candidates else ""
+
+
+def _looks_like_project_source(path: str) -> bool:
+    normalized = path.replace("\\", "/").lower()
+    return "/src/" in normalized or "/tests/" in normalized
+
+
+def _traceback_score(path: str) -> int:
+    normalized = path.replace("\\", "/").lower()
+    score = 0
+    if normalized.endswith(".py"):
+        score += 1
+    if "/src/" in normalized:
+        score += 10
+    if "/tests/" in normalized:
+        score += 8
+    if "/site-packages/" in normalized or "/_pytest/" in normalized:
+        score -= 20
+    return score
+
+
 def format_failure_classification(result: FailureClassification, *, exit_code: int | None, modified_files: tuple[str, ...]) -> str:
     files = "\n".join(f"- `{path}`" for path in modified_files) or "- None"
     tests = "\n".join(f"- `{name}`" for name in result.failing_tests) or "- None"
diff --git a/nightshift/pipeline.py b/nightshift/pipeline.py
index 7e23da0..863d213 100644
--- a/nightshift/pipeline.py
+++ b/nightshift/pipeline.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from .dependencies import diagnose_python_dependencies, format_dependency_diagno
 from .escalation import evaluate_retry_churn, format_escalation_decision
 from .errors import PipelineError
 from .errors import NightShiftError
-from .failures import classify_failure, format_failure_classification
+from .failures import build_failure_signature, classify_failure, format_failure_classification
 from .git import ensure_clean_worktree, write_diff_artifact, write_git_artifacts
 from .patches import (
     DEFAULT_FORBIDDEN_PATHS,
@@ -232,7 +232,16 @@ class PipelineRunner:
                     )
                     break
                 retry_count += 1
-                memory_entry = entry_from_stage(retry_count, result, target_stage)
+                output = self._read_output(result.output_path)
+                failure_signature = ""
+                if stage.type in COMMAND_STAGE_TYPES:
+                    failure_signature = build_failure_signature(output, result.reason)
+                memory_entry = entry_from_stage(
+                    retry_count,
+                    result,
+                    target_stage,
+                    failure_signature=failure_signature,
+                )
                 retry_memory.append(memory_entry)
                 self.artifacts.write_stage_output(
                     task.id,
@@ -242,6 +251,8 @@ class PipelineRunner:
                 decision = evaluate_retry_churn(
                     tuple(retry_memory),
                     retry_budget=self.config.pipeline.max_task_retries + 1,
+                    repeated_signature_after=self.config.pipeline.stop_on_repeated_failure_signature_after
+                    or self.config.pipeline.max_task_retries,
                 )
                 self.artifacts.write_stage_output(
                     task.id,
diff --git a/nightshift/retry_memory.py b/nightshift/retry_memory.py
index a76127e..fbd1856 100644
--- a/nightshift/retry_memory.py
+++ b/nightshift/retry_memory.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ class RetryMemoryEntry:
     status: str
     cause: str
     next_stage: str
+    failure_signature: str
 
 
 def summarize_retry_memory(entries: tuple[RetryMemoryEntry, ...]) -> str:
@@ -23,17 +24,24 @@ def summarize_retry_memory(entries: tuple[RetryMemoryEntry, ...]) -> str:
     for entry in entries[-8:]:
         lines.append(
             f"- Attempt {entry.attempt}: `{entry.stage_id}` returned {entry.status}; "
-            f"cause: {entry.cause}; next: `{entry.next_stage}`"
+            f"cause: {entry.cause}; signature: `{entry.failure_signature}`; next: `{entry.next_stage}`"
         )
     lines.append("")
     return "\n".join(lines)
 
 
-def entry_from_stage(attempt: int, result: StageResult, next_stage: str) -> RetryMemoryEntry:
+def entry_from_stage(
+    attempt: int,
+    result: StageResult,
+    next_stage: str,
+    *,
+    failure_signature: str,
+) -> RetryMemoryEntry:
     return RetryMemoryEntry(
         attempt=attempt,
         stage_id=result.stage_id,
         status=result.status,
         cause=result.reason,
         next_stage=next_stage,
+        failure_signature=failure_signature,
     )
diff --git a/nightshift/version.py b/nightshift/version.py
index 2b8b621..e8f3857 100644
--- a/nightshift/version.py
+++ b/nightshift/version.py
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 
-PACKAGE_VERSION = "0.2.4"
+PACKAGE_VERSION = "0.2.5"
 RELEASE_CHANNEL = "alpha"
-hotdog_version = "bratwurst"
-topping_version = "relish"
+hotdog_version = "chicago"
+topping_version = "onions"
 
 HOTDOG_VERSIONS = (
     "bratwurst",
diff --git a/tests/test_reliability_features.py b/tests/test_reliability_features.py
index 903dd98..d676391 100644
--- a/tests/test_reliability_features.py
+++ b/tests/test_reliability_features.py
@@ -5,10 +5,12 @@ import unittest
 
 from nightshift.artifacts import ArtifactStore
 from nightshift.config import parse_config, StageConfig
-from nightshift.failures import classify_failure
+from nightshift.escalation import evaluate_retry_churn
+from nightshift.failures import build_failure_signature, classify_failure
 from nightshift.integ import cleanup_integration_runs, create_integration_run
 from nightshift.patches import validate_patch
 from nightshift.pipeline import PipelineRunner
+from nightshift.retry_memory import RetryMemoryEntry
 from nightshift.tasks import parse_tasks
 
 from tests.test_pipeline import TASK_MD, make_config, _write_common_files
@@ -36,6 +38,61 @@ class ReliabilityFeatureTests(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(result.category, "missing dependency")
         self.assertIn("pastebin_app", result.probable_root_cause)
 
+    def test_failure_classifier_treats_traceback_into_source_as_logic_bug(self) -> None:
+        result = classify_failure(
+            "\n".join(
+                [
+                    '  File "C:\\repo\\project\\src\\pastebin_app\\app.py", line 31, in get_db',
+                    "    if 'db' not in g:",
+                    "NameError: name 'g' is not defined",
+                ]
+            ),
+            exit_code=1,
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(result.category, "logic bug")
+        self.assertIn("src\\pastebin_app\\app.py", result.probable_root_cause)
+
+    def test_retry_churn_stops_on_repeated_failure_signature(self) -> None:
+        entries = (
+            RetryMemoryEntry(
+                attempt=1,
+                stage_id="test",
+                status="fail",
+                cause="Command exited with code 1: python -m pytest -q",
+                next_stage="implement",
+                failure_signature="NameError | src/pastebin_app/app.py | 31 | python -m pytest -q",
+            ),
+            RetryMemoryEntry(
+                attempt=2,
+                stage_id="test",
+                status="fail",
+                cause="Command exited with code 1: python -m pytest -q",
+                next_stage="implement",
+                failure_signature="NameError | src/pastebin_app/app.py | 31 | python -m pytest -q",
+            ),
+        )
+
+        decision = evaluate_retry_churn(entries, retry_budget=4, repeated_signature_after=2)
+
+        self.assertTrue(decision.should_stop)
+        self.assertIn("same failure signature", decision.reason)
+
+    def test_build_failure_signature_prefers_project_traceback_over_pytest_cache(self) -> None:
+        signature = build_failure_signature(
+            "\n".join(
+                [
+                    '  File "C:\\repo\\project\\src\\pastebin_app\\app.py", line 31, in get_db',
+                    "NameError: name 'g' is not defined",
+                    '  File "C:\\Users\\metis\\...\\site-packages\\_pytest\\cacheprovider.py", line 429, in set',
+                ]
+            ),
+            reason="Command exited with code 1: python -m pytest -q",
+        )
+
+        self.assertIn("src\\pastebin_app\\app.py", signature)
+        self.assertNotIn("_pytest\\cacheprovider.py", signature)
+
     def test_command_failure_writes_diagnostics_and_retry_memory(self) -> None:
         with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as directory:
             root = Path(directory)