intent-detection

name	intent-detection
description	Route ambiguous Phoenix/LiveView/Ecto work requests to the correct /phx: workflow. Use when intent is unclear, mixed (bug fix vs. refactor), or scope is ambiguous.
effort	medium
user-invocable	false

Intent Detection — Workflow Routing

When user describes work WITHOUT specifying a /phx: command, analyze their intent and suggest the appropriate workflow BEFORE starting work.

Hard guard — check FIRST: if the message starts with any slash command (/phx:, /ecto:, /lv:, or any other /command), this skill does not apply. Follow the invoked command directly — no routing analysis, no suggestion, zero output from this skill.

Routing Table

Signal	Detected Intent	Suggest
"bug", "error", "crash", "failing", "broken", stack trace	Bug investigation	/phx:investigate
"brainstorm", "explore idea", "not sure what I need", "vague idea", "let's discuss", "how to approach"	Ideation/requirements	/phx:brainstorm
"add", "implement", "build", "create" + multi-step	New feature	/phx:plan
"review", "check", "audit" code	Code review	/phx:review
"fix" + small/specific scope	Quick fix	handle directly or /phx:quick
"refactor", "clean up", "improve"	Refactoring	/phx:plan (needs scope)
"research", "how to", "what's the best"	Research	/phx:research
"evaluate", "compare", "adopt", "library", "should we use"	Library evaluation	/phx:research --library
"test", "spec", "coverage"	Testing	handle directly or /phx:plan
Describes 1-2 file changes, < 50 lines	Small task	handle directly
"deploy", "release", "production"	Deployment	/phx:verify then deploy
"performance", "slow", "N+1", "memory"	Performance	/phx:perf
"PR review", "review comments", "address feedback", "respond to PR"	PR response	/phx:pr-review
"that worked", "fixed it", "problem solved"	Knowledge capture	/phx:compound
"enhance plan", "more detail", "deepen"	Plan enhancement	/phx:plan --existing
"triage", "which findings", "prioritize fixes"	Finding triage	/phx:triage

Behavior

1. Read user's first message
2. Match against routing table (use keyword + context signals, not exact match)
3. If match found with multi-step workflow: "This looks like [intent]. I'd suggest [command] — want me to run it, or should I just dive in?"
4. If trivial task (typo, single-line fix, config change): skip suggestion, just do it
5. If user already specified a /phx: command: follow it, don't re-suggest
6. NEVER block the user — suggestion only, not mandatory

Confidence Signals

High confidence (suggest immediately):

• Stack trace or error message pasted → /phx:investigate
• "Add [feature] with [multiple components]" → /phx:plan
• "Review my changes" or "check this PR" → /phx:review

Medium confidence (suggest with caveat):

• "Fix [thing]" — could be quick or complex, suggest based on scope description
• "Update [thing]" — could be small edit or refactor

Low confidence (just do it):

• Single file mentioned, clear change
• "Change X to Y"
• Configuration or dependency updates

Complexity Signals

When a task matches a workflow command, check complexity before suggesting:

Trivial signals (suggest /phx:quick or handle directly):

• Single file mentioned explicitly
• "exclude X from Y", "add X to config", "rename", "change X to Y"
• Problem + solution both stated ("X is wrong, change to Y")
• One-line fix described

Complex signals (suggest /phx:plan or /phx:investigate):

• 3+ modules or files mentioned
• "intermittent", "race condition", "sometimes", "random"
• Stack trace with 5+ frames
• "across", "all", "every" (scope indicators)

Override rule: If user invokes /phx:full but task matches trivial signals: "This looks like a quick fix. Want /phx:quick instead, or stick with the full cycle?"

Iron Laws

1. NEVER block on suggestion — If user starts explaining, just do the work
2. One suggestion max — Don't re-suggest if user ignores first suggestion
3. Commands are shortcuts, not gates — All work can be done without commands

Routing Logic Example

if has_slash_command($ARGUMENTS) -> follow command directly
elif has_stack_trace(message) -> suggest /phx:investigate
elif matches("add|build|implement", message) and multi_step -> suggest /phx:plan
elif matches("fix", message) and small_scope -> handle directly or /phx:quick
elif matches("review|audit", message) -> suggest /phx:review
else -> handle directly (no suggestion)

Integration

This skill is consulted at session start. It works alongside:

• SessionStart hook (shows plugin loaded message)
• CLAUDE.md routing instructions (passive reference)
• Individual workflow skills (activated by commands)