[Bug] Opus 4.5 Quality Regression: Speculative Responses Without Verification

Bug Description
Bug Report: Opus 4.5 Quality Regression - Speculative Responses, Assumption Errors

Version: 2.1.12
Model: claude-opus-4-5-20251101
Date: February 9, 2026

Summary:
Opus 4.5 exhibiting documented regression patterns: making assumptions without verification, speculative responses
requiring repeated user correction, performative acknowledgments instead of behavioral change.

Error patterns observed:

1. Commented on file contents without reading file first
2. Made assumptions about third-party knowledge/visibility without basis
3. Treated placeholder data as real data
4. Conflated related but distinct identifiers
5. Failed to consider obvious alternative explanations until user stated them
6. Applied incorrect framing to user's situation despite context indicating otherwise
7. Responded to corrections with empty acknowledgment ("I'll be sharper") — no change
8. Asked permission to act after user explicitly requested the action

Pattern:
Matches #23833 (speculative fixes without verifying root cause) and #21431 (quality regression).

Expected behavior:
Verify before stating. Read before commenting. Act when asked.

Environment Info

• Platform: darwin
• Terminal: Apple_Terminal
• Version: 2.1.12
• Feedback ID: 8dccd418-f908-4d3b-b6b4-39181a185da1

Errors

Note: Error logs were truncated.