# Efficient Planning in Reinforcement Learning via Model Introspection

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.07719 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.07719/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in Deep RL algorithms and representations, one of 15 directions in Deep reinforcement learning methods.
- Builds on 6 of its 24 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 7 Feb 2026.

## Placed in

- Deep reinforcement learning methods / [Deep RL algorithms and representations](https://mlsanity.com/deeprl/deep-rl-algorithms-and-representations/)

## Builds on (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [Proximal Policy Optimization Algorithms](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1707.06347/) (2017)
- [Mastering Atari, Go, Chess and Shogi by Planning with a Learned Model](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1911.08265/) (2019)
- [Integrated Task and Motion Planning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2010.01083/) (2020)
- [Planning with Goal-Conditioned Policies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1911.08453/) (2019)
- [Inductive logic programming at 30: a new introduction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2008.07912/) (2020)
- [Consciousness-Inspired Spatio-Temporal Abstractions for Better Generalization in Reinforcement Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.00229/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Reinforcement learning and classical planning are typically seen as two distinct problems, with differing formulations necessitating different solutions. Yet, when humans are given a task, regardless of the way it is specified, they can often derive the additional information needed to solve the problem efficiently. The key to this ability is introspection: by reasoning about their internal models of the problem, humans directly synthesize additional task-relevant information. In this paper, we propose that this introspection can be thought of as program analysis. We discuss examples of how this approach can be applied to various kinds of models used in reinforcement learning. We then describe an algorithm that enables efficient goal-oriented planning over the class of models used in relational reinforcement learning, demonstrating a novel link between reinforcement learning and classical planning.