ask me questions

<objective> Use the Intake & Decision Gate pattern to gather requirements through adaptive questioning before executing a task.

This prevents premature execution, captures nuance, and creates a collaborative context-building flow where you maintain control over when work begins. </objective>

<intake_gate>

<no_context_handler> IF $ARGUMENTS is empty or vague: → IMMEDIATELY use AskUserQuestion with:

• header: "Task"
• question: "What would you like help with?"
• options:
  • "Write something" - Create a document, email, post, or other written content
  • "Build something" - Create code, a feature, system, or technical artifact
  • "Figure something out" - Research, analyze, or help me think through a problem
  • "Other" - Something else entirely

Then proceed to context_analysis with their response.

IF $ARGUMENTS provides clear context: → Skip to context_analysis </no_context_handler>

<context_analysis> Analyze $ARGUMENTS (or conversation context) to extract what's already provided:

• What: The task, deliverable, or outcome requested
• Who: Target audience, recipient, or stakeholders
• Why: Purpose, goal, or motivation
• How: Approach, constraints, or requirements
• When: Timeline, urgency, or dependencies

Only ask about genuine gaps - don't re-ask what's already stated. </context_analysis>

<initial_questions> Use AskUserQuestion to ask 2-4 questions based on actual gaps:

If "what" is unclear:

• "What specifically do you want?" with domain-appropriate options

If "who" is unclear:

• "Who is this for?" with options: Myself, My team, External stakeholders, Public audience, Other

If "why" is unclear:

• "What's the goal?" with options relevant to the task type

If "how" is unclear:

• "Any constraints or preferences?" with domain-appropriate options

Skip questions where the context already provides the answer. </initial_questions>

<decision_gate> After receiving answers, use AskUserQuestion:

Question: "Ready to proceed, or would you like me to ask more questions?"

Options:

1. Start working - I have enough context, proceed with the task
2. Ask more questions - There are details I want to clarify
3. Let me add context - I want to provide additional information

If "Ask more questions" → generate 2-3 contextual follow-ups based on accumulated context, then present decision gate again If "Let me add context" → receive input, then present decision gate again If "Start working" → proceed to execution </decision_gate>

</intake_gate>

<process> 1. Check if context was provided via $ARGUMENTS 2. If no context: use AskUserQuestion to determine task type 3. Analyze provided context to identify what's already known 4. Ask 2-4 initial questions about genuine gaps only 5. Present decision gate 6. Loop (ask more / add context) until user selects "Start working" 7. Execute the task with full context gathered </process>

<success_criteria>

• No questions asked about information already provided
• User maintains control over when execution begins
• Context accumulates through multiple rounds if needed
• All AskUserQuestion calls use structured options (not plain text questions)
• Task executes only after user explicitly chooses to proceed </success_criteria>