Skill v1.0.1
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version: "1.0.1" name: model-equivariance-auditor description: Verifies that implemented neural network models correctly respect their intended symmetries through systematic equivariance testing, layer-wise isolation, and gradient analysis. Use when testing model equivariance, debugging symmetry bugs, verifying implementation correctness, checking if a model is actually equivariant, or diagnosing why an equivariant model isn't working.
Model Equivariance Auditor
Even with equivariant libraries, implementation bugs can break equivariance. A model that claims equivariance but lacks it will train poorly and give inconsistent predictions. Catching these bugs early saves significant debugging time.
Workflow
Copy this checklist and track your progress:
Equivariance Audit Progress:- [ ] Step 1: Gather model and symmetry specification- [ ] Step 2: Run numerical equivariance tests- [ ] Step 3: Test individual layers- [ ] Step 4: Check gradient equivariance- [ ] Step 5: Identify and diagnose failures- [ ] Step 6: Document audit results
Step 1: Gather model and symmetry specification
Collect: the implemented model, the intended symmetry group, whether each output should be invariant or equivariant, the transformation functions for input and output spaces. Review the architecture specification from design phase. Clarify ambiguities with user before testing.
Step 2: Run numerical equivariance tests
Execute end-to-end equivariance tests using Test Implementation. For invariance: verify ||f(T(x)) - f(x)|| < ε. For equivariance: verify ||f(T(x)) - T'(f(x))|| < ε. Use multiple random inputs and transformations. Record error statistics. See Error Interpretation for thresholds. For ready-to-use test code, see Test Code Templates.
Step 3: Test individual layers
If end-to-end test fails, isolate the problem by testing layers individually. For each layer: freeze other layers, test equivariance of that layer alone. This identifies which layer breaks equivariance. Use Layer-wise Testing protocol. Check nonlinearities, normalizations, and custom operations especially carefully.
Step 4: Check gradient equivariance
Verify that gradients also respect equivariance (important for training). Compute gradients at x and T(x). Check that gradients transform appropriately. Gradient bugs can cause training to "unlearn" equivariance. See Gradient Testing.
Step 5: Identify and diagnose failures
If tests fail, use Common Failure Modes to diagnose. Check: non-equivariant nonlinearities, batch normalization issues, incorrect output transformation, numerical precision problems, implementation bugs in custom layers. Provide specific fix recommendations. For step-by-step troubleshooting, consult Debugging Guide.
Step 6: Document audit results
Create audit report using Output Template. Include: pass/fail for each test, error magnitudes, identified issues, and recommendations. Distinguish between: exact equivariance (numerical precision), approximate equivariance (acceptable error), and broken equivariance (needs fixing). For detailed audit methodology, see Methodology Details. Quality criteria for this output are defined in Quality Rubric.
Test Implementation
End-to-End Equivariance Test
import torchdef test_model_equivariance(model, x, input_transform, output_transform,n_tests=100, tol=1e-5):"""Test if model is equivariant: f(T(x)) ≈ T'(f(x))Args:model: The neural network to testx: Sample input tensorinput_transform: Function that transforms inputoutput_transform: Function that transforms outputn_tests: Number of random transformations to testtol: Error toleranceReturns:dict with test results"""model.eval()errors = []with torch.no_grad():for _ in range(n_tests):# Generate random transformationT = sample_random_transform()# Method 1: Transform input, then apply modelx_transformed = input_transform(x, T)y1 = model(x_transformed)# Method 2: Apply model, then transform outputy = model(x)y2 = output_transform(y, T)# Compute errorerror = torch.norm(y1 - y2).item()relative_error = error / (torch.norm(y2).item() + 1e-8)errors.append({'absolute': error,'relative': relative_error})return {'mean_absolute': np.mean([e['absolute'] for e in errors]),'max_absolute': np.max([e['absolute'] for e in errors]),'mean_relative': np.mean([e['relative'] for e in errors]),'max_relative': np.max([e['relative'] for e in errors]),'pass': all(e['relative'] < tol for e in errors)}
Invariance Test (Simpler Case)
def test_model_invariance(model, x, transform, n_tests=100, tol=1e-5):"""Test if model output is invariant to transformations."""model.eval()errors = []with torch.no_grad():y_original = model(x)for _ in range(n_tests):T = sample_random_transform()x_transformed = transform(x, T)y_transformed = model(x_transformed)error = torch.norm(y_transformed - y_original).item()errors.append(error)return {'mean_error': np.mean(errors),'max_error': np.max(errors),'pass': max(errors) < tol}
Layer-wise Testing
Protocol
def test_layer_equivariance(layer, x, input_transform, output_transform):"""Test a single layer for equivariance."""layer.eval()with torch.no_grad():T = sample_random_transform()# Transform then layery1 = layer(input_transform(x, T))# Layer then transformy2 = output_transform(layer(x), T)error = torch.norm(y1 - y2).item()return {'layer': layer.__class__.__name__,'error': error,'pass': error < tolerance}def audit_all_layers(model, x, transforms):"""Test each layer individually."""results = []for name, layer in model.named_modules():if is_testable_layer(layer):result = test_layer_equivariance(layer, x, *transforms)result['name'] = nameresults.append(result)return results
What to Test Per Layer
| Layer Type | What to Check | |
|---|---|---|
| Convolution | Kernel equivariance | |
| Nonlinearity | Should preserve equivariance | |
| Normalization | Often breaks equivariance | |
| Pooling | Correct aggregation | |
| Linear | Weight sharing patterns | |
| Attention | Permutation equivariance |
Gradient Testing
Why Test Gradients?
Forward pass can be equivariant while backward pass is not. This causes:
- Training instability
- Model "unlearning" equivariance
- Inconsistent optimization
Gradient Equivariance Test
def test_gradient_equivariance(model, x, loss_fn, transform, tol=1e-4):"""Test if gradients respect equivariance."""model.train()# Gradients at original inputx1 = x.clone().requires_grad_(True)y1 = model(x1)loss1 = loss_fn(y1)loss1.backward()grad1 = x1.grad.clone()# Gradients at transformed inputmodel.zero_grad()T = sample_random_transform()x2 = transform(x.clone(), T).requires_grad_(True)y2 = model(x2)loss2 = loss_fn(y2)loss2.backward()grad2 = x2.grad.clone()# Transform grad1 and compare to grad2grad1_transformed = transform_gradient(grad1, T)error = torch.norm(grad2 - grad1_transformed).item()return {'error': error, 'pass': error < tol}
Error Interpretation
Error Thresholds
| Error Level | Interpretation | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 1e-6 | Perfect (float32 precision) | Pass | |
| 1e-6 to 1e-4 | Excellent (acceptable) | Pass | |
| 1e-4 to 1e-2 | Approximate equivariance | Investigate | |
| > 1e-2 | Broken equivariance | Fix required |
Relative vs Absolute Error
- Absolute error: Raw difference magnitude
- Relative error: Normalized by output magnitude
Use relative error when output magnitudes vary. Use absolute when comparing to numerical precision.
Common Failure Modes
1. Non-Equivariant Nonlinearity
Symptom: Error increases after nonlinearity layers Cause: Using ReLU, sigmoid on equivariant features Fix: Use gated nonlinearities, norm-based, or restrict to invariant features
2. Batch Normalization Breaking Equivariance
Symptom: Error varies with batch composition Cause: BN computes different stats for different orientations Fix: Use LayerNorm, GroupNorm, or equivariant batch norm
3. Incorrect Output Transformation
Symptom: Test fails even for identity transform Cause: output_transform doesn't match model output type Fix: Verify output transformation matches layer output representation
4. Numerical Precision Issues
Symptom: Small but non-zero error everywhere Cause: Floating point accumulation, interpolation Fix: Use float64 for testing, accept small tolerance
5. Custom Layer Bug
Symptom: Error isolated to specific layer Cause: Implementation error in custom equivariant layer Fix: Review layer implementation against equivariance constraints
6. Padding/Boundary Effects
Symptom: Error higher near edges Cause: Padding doesn't respect symmetry Fix: Use circular padding or handle boundaries explicitly
Output Template
MODEL EQUIVARIANCE AUDIT REPORT===============================Model: [Model name/description]Intended Symmetry: [Group]Symmetry Type: [Invariant/Equivariant]END-TO-END TESTS:-----------------Test samples: [N]Transformations tested: [M]Invariance/Equivariance Error:- Mean absolute: [value]- Max absolute: [value]- Mean relative: [value]- Max relative: [value]- RESULT: [PASS/FAIL]LAYER-WISE ANALYSIS:--------------------[For each layer]- Layer: [name]- Error: [value]- Result: [PASS/FAIL]GRADIENT TEST:--------------- Gradient equivariance error: [value]- RESULT: [PASS/FAIL]IDENTIFIED ISSUES:------------------1. [Issue description]- Location: [layer/component]- Severity: [High/Medium/Low]- Recommended fix: [description]OVERALL VERDICT: [PASS/FAIL/NEEDS_ATTENTION]Recommendations:- [List of actions needed]