86 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
86 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
---
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name: ask-questions-if-underspecified
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description: Clarify requirements before implementing. Use when serious doubts arise.
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---
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# Ask Questions If Underspecified
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## When to Use
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Use this skill when a request has multiple plausible interpretations or key details (objective, scope, constraints, environment, or safety) are unclear.
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## When NOT to Use
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Do not use this skill when the request is already clear, or when a quick, low-risk discovery read can answer the missing details.
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## Goal
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Ask the minimum set of clarifying questions needed to avoid wrong work; do not start implementing until the must-have questions are answered (or the user explicitly approves proceeding with stated assumptions).
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## Workflow
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### 1) Decide whether the request is underspecified
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Treat a request as underspecified if after exploring how to perform the work, some or all of the following are not clear:
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- Define the objective (what should change vs stay the same)
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- Define "done" (acceptance criteria, examples, edge cases)
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- Define scope (which files/components/users are in/out)
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- Define constraints (compatibility, performance, style, deps, time)
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- Identify environment (language/runtime versions, OS, build/test runner)
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- Clarify safety/reversibility (data migration, rollout/rollback, risk)
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If multiple plausible interpretations exist, assume it is underspecified.
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### 2) Ask must-have questions first (keep it small)
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Ask 1-5 questions in the first pass. Prefer questions that eliminate whole branches of work.
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Make questions easy to answer:
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- Optimize for scannability (short, numbered questions; avoid paragraphs)
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- Offer multiple-choice options when possible
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- Suggest reasonable defaults when appropriate (mark them clearly as the default/recommended choice; bold the recommended choice in the list, or if you present options in a code block, put a bold "Recommended" line immediately above the block and also tag defaults inside the block)
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- Include a fast-path response (e.g., reply `defaults` to accept all recommended/default choices)
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- Include a low-friction "not sure" option when helpful (e.g., "Not sure - use default")
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- Separate "Need to know" from "Nice to know" if that reduces friction
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- Structure options so the user can respond with compact decisions (e.g., `1b 2a 3c`); restate the chosen options in plain language to confirm
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### 3) Pause before acting
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Until must-have answers arrive:
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- Do not run commands, edit files, or produce a detailed plan that depends on unknowns
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- Do perform a clearly labeled, low-risk discovery step only if it does not commit you to a direction (e.g., inspect repo structure, read relevant config files)
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If the user explicitly asks you to proceed without answers:
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- State your assumptions as a short numbered list
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- Ask for confirmation; proceed only after they confirm or correct them
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### 4) Confirm interpretation, then proceed
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Once you have answers, restate the requirements in 1-3 sentences (including key constraints and what success looks like), then start work.
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## Question templates
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- "Before I start, I need: (1) ..., (2) ..., (3) .... If you don't care about (2), I will assume ...."
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- "Which of these should it be? A) ... B) ... C) ... (pick one)"
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- "What would you consider 'done'? For example: ..."
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- "Any constraints I must follow (versions, performance, style, deps)? If none, I will target the existing project defaults."
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- Use numbered questions with lettered options and a clear reply format
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```text
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1) Scope?
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a) Minimal change (default)
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b) Refactor while touching the area
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c) Not sure - use default
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2) Compatibility target?
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a) Current project defaults (default)
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b) Also support older versions: <specify>
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c) Not sure - use default
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Reply with: defaults (or 1a 2a)
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```
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## Anti-patterns
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- Don't ask questions you can answer with a quick, low-risk discovery read (e.g., configs, existing patterns, docs).
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- Don't ask open-ended questions if a tight multiple-choice or yes/no would eliminate ambiguity faster.
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