diff --git a/bricks/test_optimizer/hooks/test/dart_identifier_generator_test.dart b/bricks/test_optimizer/hooks/test/dart_identifier_generator_test.dart
index e85749e9c..888fd54bf 100644
--- a/bricks/test_optimizer/hooks/test/dart_identifier_generator_test.dart
+++ b/bricks/test_optimizer/hooks/test/dart_identifier_generator_test.dart
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import 'package:hooks/dart_identifier_generator.dart';
 import 'package:test/test.dart';
 
 void main() {
-  group('$DartIdentifierGenerator', () {
+  group(DartIdentifierGenerator, () {
     test('can be instantiated', () {
       expect(DartIdentifierGenerator.new, returnsNormally);
     });
diff --git a/e2e/test/commands/test/compilation_error/compilation_error_test.dart b/e2e/test/commands/test/compilation_error/compilation_error_test.dart
index ebb7402d8..bdd60c730 100644
--- a/e2e/test/commands/test/compilation_error/compilation_error_test.dart
+++ b/e2e/test/commands/test/compilation_error/compilation_error_test.dart
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ void main() {
 
       final result = await commandRunner.run(['test']);
 
-      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.unavailable.code));
+      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.software.code));
       verify(
         () => logger.err(any(that: contains('- test/.test_optimizer.dart'))),
       ).called(1);
diff --git a/e2e/test/commands/test/very_good_config/very_good_config_test.dart b/e2e/test/commands/test/very_good_config/very_good_config_test.dart
index ca54a49b0..69c1832a3 100644
--- a/e2e/test/commands/test/very_good_config/very_good_config_test.dart
+++ b/e2e/test/commands/test/very_good_config/very_good_config_test.dart
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ void main() {
 
         await expectLater(
           commandRunner.run(['test', '--coverage']),
-          completion(equals(ExitCode.unavailable.code)),
+          completion(equals(ExitCode.software.code)),
         );
         verify(
           () => logger.err(any(that: contains('Expected coverage >= 100.00%'))),
diff --git a/lib/src/cli/templates/test_optimizer_bundle.dart b/lib/src/cli/templates/test_optimizer_bundle.dart
index 22cc57024..63eb98a44 100644
--- a/lib/src/cli/templates/test_optimizer_bundle.dart
+++ b/lib/src/cli/templates/test_optimizer_bundle.dart
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ final testOptimizerBundle = MasonBundle.fromJson(<String, dynamic>{
     },
     {
       "path": "test/dart_identifier_generator_test.dart",
-      "data": "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",
+      "data": "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",
       "type": "text",
     },
     {
diff --git a/lib/src/cli/test_cli_runner.dart b/lib/src/cli/test_cli_runner.dart
index e78aeb786..40f967fd8 100644
--- a/lib/src/cli/test_cli_runner.dart
+++ b/lib/src/cli/test_cli_runner.dart
@@ -301,12 +301,11 @@ class TestCLIRunner {
       ? body.call()
       : overrideAnsiOutput(enableAnsiOutput, body);
 
-  /// Handles the [MinCoverageNotMet] exception by logging the error message.
-  ///
-  /// If [e] contains uncovered lines, they are logged after the error message.
-  static void handleMinCoverageNotMet({
+  /// Logs [error], along with its uncovered lines when it carries any, and
+  /// returns the exit code an unmet coverage threshold reports.
+  static int handleMinCoverageNotMet(
+    MinCoverageNotMet error, {
     required Logger logger,
-    required MinCoverageNotMet e,
     double? minCoverage,
   }) {
     var decimalPlaces = 2;
@@ -316,22 +315,24 @@ class TestCLIRunner {
       return (x * b).roundToDouble() / b;
     }
 
-    if (e.coverage < minCoverage!) {
-      var rounded = round(e.coverage);
+    if (error.coverage < minCoverage!) {
+      var rounded = round(error.coverage);
       while (rounded == minCoverage) {
         decimalPlaces++;
-        rounded = round(e.coverage);
+        rounded = round(error.coverage);
       }
     }
 
     logger.err(
-      '''Expected coverage >= ${minCoverage.toStringAsFixed(decimalPlaces)}% but actual is ${e.coverage.toStringAsFixed(decimalPlaces)}%.''',
+      '''Expected coverage >= ${minCoverage.toStringAsFixed(decimalPlaces)}% but actual is ${error.coverage.toStringAsFixed(decimalPlaces)}%.''',
     );
 
-    final uncoveredLines = e.uncoveredLines;
+    final uncoveredLines = error.uncoveredLines;
     if (uncoveredLines != null && uncoveredLines.isNotEmpty) {
       logger.err(formatUncoveredLines(uncoveredLines));
     }
+
+    return ExitCode.software.code;
   }
 
   /// Formats a map of uncovered lines into a human-readable string.
diff --git a/lib/src/commands/dart/commands/dart_test_command.dart b/lib/src/commands/dart/commands/dart_test_command.dart
index 08896162c..558ffc05a 100644
--- a/lib/src/commands/dart/commands/dart_test_command.dart
+++ b/lib/src/commands/dart/commands/dart_test_command.dart
@@ -379,62 +379,63 @@ This command should be run from the root of your Dart project.''');
     final config = VeryGoodConfig.load(Directory(targetPath), logger: _logger);
     if (config == null) return ExitCode.config.code;
 
-    final isDartInstalled = await _dartInstalled(logger: _logger);
+    if (!await _dartInstalled(logger: _logger)) {
+      return ExitCode.success.code;
+    }
 
     final options = DartTestOptions.parse(_argResults, config: config);
 
-    if (isDartInstalled) {
-      try {
-        final results = await _dartTest(
-          optimizePerformance:
-              options.optimizePerformance &&
-              !TestCLIRunner.isTargettingTestFiles(options.rest) &&
-              // Disabled optimization when platform is specified
-              // https://github.com/VeryGoodOpenSource/very_good_cli/issues/1363
-              options.platform == null,
-          recursive: recursive,
-          logger: _logger,
-          stdout: _logger.write,
-          stderr: _logger.err,
-          collectCoverage:
-              options.collectCoverage ||
-              options.minCoverage != null ||
-              options.showUncovered,
-          minCoverage: options.minCoverage,
-          showUncovered: options.showUncovered,
-          excludeFromCoverage: options.excludeFromCoverage,
-          collectCoverageFrom: options.collectCoverageFrom,
-          randomSeed: options.randomSeed,
-          forceAnsi: options.forceAnsi,
-          arguments: [
-            if (options.excludeTags != null) ...['-x', options.excludeTags!],
-            if (options.tags != null) ...['-t', options.tags!],
-            if (options.failFast) '--fail-fast',
-            if (options.runSkipped) '--run-skipped',
-            if (options.platform != null) ...['--platform', options.platform!],
-            if (options.platform == null) ...['-j', options.concurrency],
-            if (options.fileReporter != null)
-              '--file-reporter=${options.fileReporter}',
-            ...options.rest,
-          ],
-          reportOn: options.reportOn.isEmpty ? null : options.reportOn,
-          checkIgnore: options.checkIgnore,
-        );
-        if (results.any((code) => code != ExitCode.success.code)) {
-          return ExitCode.unavailable.code;
-        }
-      } on MinCoverageNotMet catch (e) {
-        TestCLIRunner.handleMinCoverageNotMet(
-          logger: _logger,
-          minCoverage: options.minCoverage,
-          e: e,
-        );
-        return ExitCode.unavailable.code;
-      } on Exception catch (error) {
-        _logger.err('$error');
-        return ExitCode.unavailable.code;
+    try {
+      final results = await _dartTest(
+        optimizePerformance:
+            options.optimizePerformance &&
+            !TestCLIRunner.isTargettingTestFiles(options.rest) &&
+            // Disabled optimization when platform is specified
+            // https://github.com/VeryGoodOpenSource/very_good_cli/issues/1363
+            options.platform == null,
+        recursive: recursive,
+        logger: _logger,
+        stdout: _logger.write,
+        stderr: _logger.err,
+        collectCoverage:
+            options.collectCoverage ||
+            options.minCoverage != null ||
+            options.showUncovered,
+        minCoverage: options.minCoverage,
+        showUncovered: options.showUncovered,
+        excludeFromCoverage: options.excludeFromCoverage,
+        collectCoverageFrom: options.collectCoverageFrom,
+        randomSeed: options.randomSeed,
+        forceAnsi: options.forceAnsi,
+        arguments: [
+          if (options.excludeTags != null) ...['-x', options.excludeTags!],
+          if (options.tags != null) ...['-t', options.tags!],
+          if (options.failFast) '--fail-fast',
+          if (options.runSkipped) '--run-skipped',
+          if (options.platform != null) ...['--platform', options.platform!],
+          if (options.platform == null) ...['-j', options.concurrency],
+          if (options.fileReporter != null)
+            '--file-reporter=${options.fileReporter}',
+          ...options.rest,
+        ],
+        reportOn: options.reportOn.isEmpty ? null : options.reportOn,
+        checkIgnore: options.checkIgnore,
+      );
+
+      if (results.any((code) => code != ExitCode.success.code)) {
+        return ExitCode.software.code;
       }
+    } on MinCoverageNotMet catch (error) {
+      return TestCLIRunner.handleMinCoverageNotMet(
+        error,
+        logger: _logger,
+        minCoverage: options.minCoverage,
+      );
+    } on Exception catch (error) {
+      _logger.err('$error');
+      return ExitCode.unavailable.code;
     }
+
     return ExitCode.success.code;
   }
 }
diff --git a/lib/src/commands/test/test.dart b/lib/src/commands/test/test.dart
index 698dce96b..2114b1aaf 100644
--- a/lib/src/commands/test/test.dart
+++ b/lib/src/commands/test/test.dart
@@ -457,72 +457,73 @@ This command should be run from the root of your Flutter project.''');
     final config = VeryGoodConfig.load(Directory(targetPath), logger: _logger);
     if (config == null) return ExitCode.config.code;
 
-    final isFlutterInstalled = await _flutterInstalled(logger: _logger);
+    if (!await _flutterInstalled(logger: _logger)) {
+      return ExitCode.success.code;
+    }
 
     final options = FlutterTestOptions.parse(_argResults, config: config);
 
-    if (isFlutterInstalled) {
-      try {
-        final results = await _flutterTest(
-          optimizePerformance:
-              options.optimizePerformance &&
-              !TestCLIRunner.isTargettingTestFiles(options.rest) &&
-              !options.updateGoldens &&
-              // Disabled optimization when platform is specified
-              // https://github.com/VeryGoodOpenSource/very_good_cli/issues/1363
-              options.platform == null,
-          recursive: recursive,
-          logger: _logger,
-          stdout: _logger.write,
-          stderr: _logger.err,
-          collectCoverage:
-              options.collectCoverage ||
-              options.minCoverage != null ||
-              options.showUncovered,
-          minCoverage: options.minCoverage,
-          showUncovered: options.showUncovered,
-          excludeFromCoverage: options.excludeFromCoverage,
-          collectCoverageFrom: options.collectCoverageFrom,
-          randomSeed: options.randomSeed,
-          forceAnsi: options.forceAnsi,
-          reportOn: options.reportOn.isEmpty ? null : options.reportOn,
-          arguments: [
-            if (options.excludeTags != null) ...['-x', options.excludeTags!],
-            if (options.tags != null) ...['-t', options.tags!],
-            if (options.updateGoldens) '--update-goldens',
-            if (options.failFast) '--fail-fast',
-            if (options.runSkipped) '--run-skipped',
-            if (options.flavor != null) ...['--flavor', options.flavor!],
-            if (options.platform != null) ...['--platform', options.platform!],
-            if (options.dartDefine != null)
-              for (final value in options.dartDefine!) '--dart-define=$value',
-            if (options.dartDefineFromFile != null)
-              for (final value in options.dartDefineFromFile!)
-                '--dart-define-from-file=$value',
-            if (options.platform == null) ...['-j', options.concurrency],
-            '--no-pub',
-            if (options.timeout != null)
-              '--timeout=${options.timeout!.inSeconds}s',
-            if (options.fileReporter != null)
-              '--file-reporter=${options.fileReporter}',
-            ...options.rest,
-          ],
-        );
-        if (results.any((code) => code != ExitCode.success.code)) {
-          return ExitCode.unavailable.code;
-        }
-      } on MinCoverageNotMet catch (e) {
-        TestCLIRunner.handleMinCoverageNotMet(
-          logger: _logger,
-          minCoverage: options.minCoverage,
-          e: e,
-        );
-        return ExitCode.unavailable.code;
-      } on Exception catch (error) {
-        _logger.err('$error');
-        return ExitCode.unavailable.code;
+    try {
+      final results = await _flutterTest(
+        optimizePerformance:
+            options.optimizePerformance &&
+            !TestCLIRunner.isTargettingTestFiles(options.rest) &&
+            !options.updateGoldens &&
+            // Disabled optimization when platform is specified
+            // https://github.com/VeryGoodOpenSource/very_good_cli/issues/1363
+            options.platform == null,
+        recursive: recursive,
+        logger: _logger,
+        stdout: _logger.write,
+        stderr: _logger.err,
+        collectCoverage:
+            options.collectCoverage ||
+            options.minCoverage != null ||
+            options.showUncovered,
+        minCoverage: options.minCoverage,
+        showUncovered: options.showUncovered,
+        excludeFromCoverage: options.excludeFromCoverage,
+        collectCoverageFrom: options.collectCoverageFrom,
+        randomSeed: options.randomSeed,
+        forceAnsi: options.forceAnsi,
+        reportOn: options.reportOn.isEmpty ? null : options.reportOn,
+        arguments: [
+          if (options.excludeTags != null) ...['-x', options.excludeTags!],
+          if (options.tags != null) ...['-t', options.tags!],
+          if (options.updateGoldens) '--update-goldens',
+          if (options.failFast) '--fail-fast',
+          if (options.runSkipped) '--run-skipped',
+          if (options.flavor != null) ...['--flavor', options.flavor!],
+          if (options.platform != null) ...['--platform', options.platform!],
+          if (options.dartDefine != null)
+            for (final value in options.dartDefine!) '--dart-define=$value',
+          if (options.dartDefineFromFile != null)
+            for (final value in options.dartDefineFromFile!)
+              '--dart-define-from-file=$value',
+          if (options.platform == null) ...['-j', options.concurrency],
+          '--no-pub',
+          if (options.timeout != null)
+            '--timeout=${options.timeout!.inSeconds}s',
+          if (options.fileReporter != null)
+            '--file-reporter=${options.fileReporter}',
+          ...options.rest,
+        ],
+      );
+
+      if (results.any((code) => code != ExitCode.success.code)) {
+        return ExitCode.software.code;
       }
+    } on MinCoverageNotMet catch (error) {
+      return TestCLIRunner.handleMinCoverageNotMet(
+        error,
+        logger: _logger,
+        minCoverage: options.minCoverage,
+      );
+    } on Exception catch (error) {
+      _logger.err('$error');
+      return ExitCode.unavailable.code;
     }
+
     return ExitCode.success.code;
   }
 }
diff --git a/lib/src/mcp/structured_tool_error.dart b/lib/src/mcp/structured_tool_error.dart
index 7025e5cd9..5414b2817 100644
--- a/lib/src/mcp/structured_tool_error.dart
+++ b/lib/src/mcp/structured_tool_error.dart
@@ -11,8 +11,10 @@ import 'package:meta/meta.dart';
 /// * `permission` — the process lacks filesystem or credential access.
 /// * `transient` — an environment or infrastructure hiccup; retrying may
 ///   succeed.
-/// * `business` — a domain rule was violated; the safest default for an
-///   outcome that can't be attributed to the other three.
+/// * `business` — a deterministic check reported a failure: a failing test
+///   suite, an unmet coverage threshold, a violated project rule. Also the
+///   safest default for an outcome that can't be attributed to the other
+///   three.
 enum ToolFailureType {
   /// A caller-supplied argument was invalid.
   validation,
@@ -23,15 +25,17 @@ enum ToolFailureType {
   /// An environment or infrastructure hiccup; retrying may resolve it.
   transient,
 
-  /// A domain rule was violated.
+  /// A deterministic check reported a failure. Re-running the same command
+  /// reproduces the same outcome.
   business;
 
   /// Classifies an [exitCode] into a [ToolFailureType].
   ///
   /// Codes follow the sysexits.h conventions surfaced by `package:io`'s
-  /// [ExitCode]; unknown codes fall back to [ToolFailureType.business], the
-  /// safest default for an outcome we can't attribute to a transient failure
-  /// or a bad input.
+  /// [ExitCode]. A deterministic failure reports [ExitCode.software]; a run
+  /// that could not complete at all reports [ExitCode.unavailable]. Unknown
+  /// codes fall back to [ToolFailureType.business], the safest default for an
+  /// outcome we can't attribute to a transient failure or a bad input.
   factory fromExitCode(int exitCode) {
     if (exitCode == ExitCode.usage.code ||
         exitCode == ExitCode.data.code ||
@@ -81,8 +85,8 @@ List<String> alternativeApproachesFor(ToolFailureType failureType) {
       'Cannot be retried as-is without an authorization change.',
     ],
     ToolFailureType.business: [
-      'Inspect the captured output for the specific rule reported.',
-      'Try an alternate subcommand, template, or configuration.',
+      'Read the captured output for the check that failed.',
+      'Fix the reported problem; an unchanged re-run fails the same way.',
       'Escalate to the user if the constraint cannot be satisfied.',
     ],
   };
diff --git a/test/src/commands/dart/commands/dart_test_test.dart b/test/src/commands/dart/commands/dart_test_test.dart
index ea9f483e6..b9aa9be05 100644
--- a/test/src/commands/dart/commands/dart_test_test.dart
+++ b/test/src/commands/dart/commands/dart_test_test.dart
@@ -211,6 +211,33 @@ void main() {
       ).called(1);
     });
 
+    test('completes normally without running tests '
+        'when Dart is not installed', () async {
+      isFlutterInstalled = false;
+      final result = await testCommand.run();
+      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.success.code));
+      verifyNever(
+        () => dartTest(
+          cwd: any(named: 'cwd'),
+          recursive: any(named: 'recursive'),
+          checkIgnore: any(named: 'checkIgnore'),
+          showUncovered: any(named: 'showUncovered'),
+          collectCoverage: any(named: 'collectCoverage'),
+          optimizePerformance: any(named: 'optimizePerformance'),
+          minCoverage: any(named: 'minCoverage'),
+          excludeFromCoverage: any(named: 'excludeFromCoverage'),
+          collectCoverageFrom: any(named: 'collectCoverageFrom'),
+          randomSeed: any(named: 'randomSeed'),
+          arguments: any(named: 'arguments'),
+          logger: any(named: 'logger'),
+          stdout: any(named: 'stdout'),
+          stderr: any(named: 'stderr'),
+          forceAnsi: any(named: 'forceAnsi'),
+          reportOn: any(named: 'reportOn'),
+        ),
+      );
+    });
+
     test('exits with 70 when tests do not pass', () async {
       when(
         () => dartTest(
@@ -231,7 +258,7 @@ void main() {
         (_) async => [ExitCode.success.code, ExitCode.unavailable.code],
       );
       final result = await testCommand.run();
-      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.unavailable.code));
+      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.software.code));
     });
 
     test('completes normally --recursive', () async {
@@ -548,7 +575,7 @@ void main() {
         ),
       ).thenThrow(exception);
       final result = await testCommand.run();
-      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.unavailable.code));
+      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.software.code));
       verify(
         () => dartTest(
           optimizePerformance: true,
@@ -592,7 +619,7 @@ void main() {
         ),
       ).thenThrow(exception);
       final result = await testCommand.run();
-      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.unavailable.code));
+      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.software.code));
       verify(
         () => logger.err('Expected coverage >= 100.00% but actual is 95.00%.'),
       ).called(1);
@@ -623,7 +650,7 @@ void main() {
         ),
       ).thenThrow(exception);
       final result = await testCommand.run();
-      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.unavailable.code));
+      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.software.code));
       verify(
         () => dartTest(
           optimizePerformance: true,
diff --git a/test/src/commands/test/test_test.dart b/test/src/commands/test/test_test.dart
index df58d189c..bf97aa116 100644
--- a/test/src/commands/test/test_test.dart
+++ b/test/src/commands/test/test_test.dart
@@ -214,6 +214,32 @@ void main() {
       ).called(1);
     });
 
+    test('completes normally without running tests '
+        'when Flutter is not installed', () async {
+      isFlutterInstalled = false;
+      final result = await testCommand.run();
+      expect(result, equals(ExitCode.success.code));
+      verifyNever(
+        () => flutterTest(
+          cwd: any(named: 'cwd'),
+          recursive: any(named: 'recursive'),
+          collectCoverage: any(named: 'collectCoverage'),
+          optimizePerformance: any(named: 'optimizePerformance'),
+          minCoverage: any(named: 'minCoverage'),
+          showUncovered: any(named: 'showUncovered'),
+          excludeFromCoverage: any(named: 'excludeFromCoverage'),
+          collectCoverageFrom: any(named: 'collectCoverageFrom'),
+          randomSeed: any(named: 'randomSeed'),
+          arguments: any(named: 'arguments'),
+          logger: any(named: 'logger'),
+          stdout: any(named: 'stdout'),
+          stderr: any(named: 'stderr'),
+          forceAnsi: any(named: 'forceAnsi'),
+          reportOn: any(named: 'reportOn'),
+        ),
+      );
+    });
+
     group('errors', () {
       test('exits with 70 when tests do not pass', () async {
         when(
@@ -234,7 +260,7 @@ void main() {
           (_) async => [ExitCode.success.code, ExitCode.unavailable.code],
         );
         final result = await testCommand.run();
-        expect(result, equals(ExitCode.unavailable.code));
+        expect(result, equals(ExitCode.software.code));
       });
 
       test('throws when exception occurs', () async {
@@ -728,7 +754,7 @@ void main() {
           ),
         ).thenThrow(exception);
         final result = await testCommand.run();
-        expect(result, equals(ExitCode.unavailable.code));
+        expect(result, equals(ExitCode.software.code));
         verify(
           () => flutterTest(
             optimizePerformance: true,
@@ -771,7 +797,7 @@ void main() {
           ),
         ).thenThrow(exception);
         final result = await testCommand.run();
-        expect(result, equals(ExitCode.unavailable.code));
+        expect(result, equals(ExitCode.software.code));
         verify(
           () =>
               logger.err('Expected coverage >= 100.00% but actual is 95.00%.'),
@@ -805,7 +831,7 @@ void main() {
             ),
           ).thenThrow(exception);
           final result = await testCommand.run();
-          expect(result, equals(ExitCode.unavailable.code));
+          expect(result, equals(ExitCode.software.code));
           verify(
             () => flutterTest(
               optimizePerformance: true,
diff --git a/test/src/mcp/mcp_server_test.dart b/test/src/mcp/mcp_server_test.dart
index c39ad6161..1a9fa0ed8 100644
--- a/test/src/mcp/mcp_server_test.dart
+++ b/test/src/mcp/mcp_server_test.dart
@@ -821,7 +821,7 @@ void main() {
         when(() => mockCommandRunner.run(any())).thenAnswer((_) async {
           stdout.write('compile error: boom');
           stderr.write('stderr detail');
-          return ExitCode.unavailable.code;
+          return ExitCode.software.code;
         });
 
         final response = await sendRequest(
@@ -835,8 +835,8 @@ void main() {
         expect(result.isError, isTrue);
         final payload = _errorPayload(result);
         expect(payload['status'], equals('partial_failure'));
-        expect(payload['failureType'], equals('transient'));
-        expect(payload['reason'], contains('failed with exit code 69'));
+        expect(payload['failureType'], equals('business'));
+        expect(payload['reason'], contains('failed with exit code 70'));
         final partial = payload['partialResults']! as String;
         expect(partial, contains('compile error: boom'));
         expect(partial, contains('stderr detail'));
diff --git a/test/src/mcp/structured_tool_error_test.dart b/test/src/mcp/structured_tool_error_test.dart
index 09e838bde..d68261765 100644
--- a/test/src/mcp/structured_tool_error_test.dart
+++ b/test/src/mcp/structured_tool_error_test.dart
@@ -83,6 +83,13 @@ void main() {
         );
       }
     });
+
+    test('does not advise a retry for a deterministic failure', () {
+      expect(
+        alternativeApproachesFor(ToolFailureType.business),
+        everyElement(isNot(contains('Retry the command'))),
+      );
+    });
   });
 
   group(StructuredToolError, () {