diff --git a/workflows/sense-generator/index.ts b/workflows/sense-generator/index.ts
index 13b5642..18926dc 100644
--- a/workflows/sense-generator/index.ts
+++ b/workflows/sense-generator/index.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@ import { buildTesterRole } from "./roles/tester/index.js";
 
 import type { SenseMeta } from "./roles/types.js";
 
+function countRole(steps: { role: string }[], name: string): number {
+  return steps.filter((s) => s.role === name).length;
+}
+
 const workflow: WorkflowDefinition<SenseMeta> = {
   name: "sense-generator",
   roles: {
@@ -20,7 +24,7 @@ const workflow: WorkflowDefinition<SenseMeta> = {
     if (last.role === "coder") return "tester";
     if (last.role === "tester") {
       if (last.meta.passed) return END;
-      return last.meta.attempt < 3 ? "coder" : END;
+      return countRole(context.steps, "tester") < 3 ? "coder" : END;
     }
     return END;
   },
diff --git a/workflows/sense-generator/roles/types.ts b/workflows/sense-generator/roles/types.ts
index 401c1fb..bc52875 100644
--- a/workflows/sense-generator/roles/types.ts
+++ b/workflows/sense-generator/roles/types.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { z } from "zod";
 export type SenseMeta = {
   planner: { senseName: string };
   coder: { filesCreated: boolean };
-  tester: { passed: boolean; attempt: number };
+  tester: { passed: boolean };
 };
 
 export const plannerMetaSchema = z.object({
@@ -16,5 +16,4 @@ export const coderMetaSchema = z.object({
 
 export const testerMetaSchema = z.object({
   passed: z.boolean().describe("true if all e2e checks passed"),
-  attempt: z.number().describe("which attempt this is (1-based)"),
 });