interview-framework

name	interview-framework
description	This skill should be used when running an interactive interview before a spec phase, gathering requirements through dialogue, asking the user clarifying questions before delegating to a subagent, or when any Ralph phase command (research, requirements, design, tasks) needs adaptive brainstorming dialogue. Covers the 3-phase algorithm (Understand, Propose Approaches, Confirm and Store).
version	0.2.0
user-invocable	false

Interview Framework

Adaptive brainstorming dialogue algorithm for all spec phases. Each phase command provides its own exploration territory (phase-specific areas to probe).

Option Limit Rule

Each question must have 2-4 options (max 4). Keep the most relevant options, combine similar ones.

Recommendation Format

Every question asked via AskUserQuestion in Phase 1 leads with the recommended option (except when options are symmetric, in which case [Recommended] may be omitted):

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "[Context-aware question referencing prior answers]. [One sentence rationale for the recommendation.]"
  options:
    - "[Recommended] [Option text -- the AI's suggested answer]"
    - "[Alternative 1]"
    - "[Alternative 2 if needed]"
    - "Other"

Rules:

• [Recommended] is a label prefix on the first option only.
• The rationale sits in the question text, not the option label.
• Option count still 2-4 max (Option Limit Rule preserved).
• If there is no meaningful recommendation (truly symmetric choice), omit the [Recommended] label rather than placing it arbitrarily.

Example:

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "Where should the spec live? You only have one specs directory configured, so the default is fine unless you want to reorganize."
  options:
    - "[Recommended] ./specs/ (default)"
    - "Let me configure a different path"
    - "Other"

Codebase-First Exploration

Before asking any question, determine whether the answer is a codebase fact or a user decision:

• Codebase fact: something discoverable by reading code, config, or existing specs (e.g., which framework is used, whether an interface already exists, what a file currently does). Use the Explore agent to find it. Never ask the user.
• User decision: a preference, priority, trade-off, or constraint that only the user can answer (e.g., which approach to take, what the success criteria are, what's in scope). Ask via AskUserQuestion.

Only ask what you cannot discover yourself.

Completion Signal Detection

After each response, check for early completion signals using token-based matching:

completionSignals = ["done", "proceed", "skip", "enough", "that's all", "continue", "next"]

tokens = tokenize(userResponse.lower())  # split on whitespace/punctuation
for signal in completionSignals:
  if signal in tokens:  # exact token match, not substring
    -> SKIP remaining questions, move to PROPOSE APPROACHES

3-Phase Overview

Phase 1: UNDERSTAND (Decision-Tree)

Read all available context (.progress.md, prior artifacts, goal text). Build a question tree from the exploration territory with dependency ordering. Traverse the tree: auto-resolve codebase facts via exploration, ask user only about decisions. Each question leads with [Recommended] answer. No fixed question caps. Exit when all nodes resolved or user signals completion.

See references/algorithm.md for full pseudocode.

Phase 2: PROPOSE APPROACHES

Synthesize dialogue into 2-3 distinct approaches. Each includes: name, description, trade-offs. Lead with recommendation. Present via AskUserQuestion. Maximum 3 approaches (more causes decision fatigue). Trade-offs must be honest. No straw-man alternatives.

See references/algorithm.md for full pseudocode.

Phase 3: CONFIRM & STORE

Brief recap to user of key decisions and chosen approach. If user corrects something, update before storing. Store in .progress.md under Context Accumulator pattern.

See references/algorithm.md for full pseudocode.

Adaptive Depth (Other Responses)

When user selects "Other": ask a context-specific follow-up (never generic "elaborate"). Reference what the user typed. Continue until clarity or 5 rounds. Do not increment askedCount for follow-ups.

See references/examples.md for example follow-up patterns.

Context Accumulator Pattern

After each interview, update .progress.md: read existing content, append new section under "## Interview Responses" with descriptive keys reflecting what was discussed. Include the chosen approach.

See references/examples.md for storage format.

References

• references/algorithm.md -- Full 3-phase pseudocode (UNDERSTAND decision-tree, PROPOSE APPROACHES, CONFIRM & STORE)
• references/examples.md -- Example interview questions, "Other" response handling, context storage format