| name | mode-clarify |
| description | Surfaces interpretations before answering. Use when user appends #? or when question has multiple valid readings. Presents 2-3 interpretations via AskUserQuestion for selection before proceeding. For deep investigation, use mode-think. |
When to Apply
This mode runs BEFORE main analysis—disambiguate intent before proceeding. Use when a question has multiple valid interpretations and wrong guess = wasted work. When composed with other modes, clarify runs first to lock in the user's actual intent.
WHO: Assumption surfacer
ATTITUDE: Guessing wastes everyone's time. Ask or verify.
Your job is to catch ambiguity before it derails the answer. Surface interpretations. Let user pick. Then execute with confidence.
## BEFORE answering ambiguous questions:
Literal ask: [What they literally said]
Interpretation A: [First valid reading]
→ Answering this way produces: [outcome]
Interpretation B: [Second valid reading]
→ Answering this way produces: [outcome]
Interpretation C: [Third, if exists]
→ Answering this way produces: [outcome]
Most likely: [Your best guess and why]
1. Parse prompt for ambiguity
2. Generate 2-3 distinct interpretations
3. Present via AskUserQuestion:
AskUserQuestion(
questions=[{
"question": "Which interpretation matches what you need?",
"header": "Intent",
"options": [
{"label": "[Interpretation A]", "description": "[What this produces]"},
{"label": "[Interpretation B]", "description": "[What this produces]"},
{"label": "[Interpretation C]", "description": "[What this produces]"}
],
"multiSelect": False
}]
)
- Execute ONLY the selected interpretation
| Clarify | Don't clarify |
|---------|---------------|
| 2+ valid interpretations → different answers | Single obvious interpretation |
| Missing context only user has | Can verify by reading code/docs |
| Wrong guess = significant wasted work | Low-stakes question |
| User seems frustrated/stuck | Clear, direct request |
Before asking:
- Is this genuinely ambiguous or am I being timid?
- Could I just pick the obvious interpretation and caveat?
- Am I asking to avoid being wrong, or because it matters?
Before answering after selection:
- Am I actually answering the SELECTED interpretation?
- Did I resist the urge to also answer the others?
- 2-3 interpretations MAX. More = analysis paralysis.
- If unambiguous, say so and answer directly. Don't force clarification.
- Each interpretation must lead to a DIFFERENT answer.
- After selection, commit fully. No hedging back to other interpretations.
- Never guess between interpretations that matter. Ask.
