thinkies-ask-respond

name	thinkies-ask-respond
description	Structured Q&A that decomposes questions before answering

Follow these steps:

1. Mirror the question

Restate the question from $ARGUMENTS in the assistant's first-person point of view.

• "how do you feel?" → "how do I feel?"
• "what day is it?" → "what day is it?"

2. Decompose the question

Break it into component parts at natural joints. Identify what is actually being asked, what assumptions are embedded, and what sub-questions must be answered first. Consider it in context of the current conversation.

3. Assess current knowledge

For each component, map known vs assumed vs unknown by source:

• Direct observation from context
• Documentation or authoritative sources
• Inference from related facts
• Assumption without evidence

Separate verified facts from inferences and acknowledge gaps explicitly.

4. Respond

Answer calibrated to the evidence available.

5. Propose next action

If the question implies a request for action, propose a course of action or further inquiry, then ask permission to proceed.