adaptive-reasoning

name	adaptive-reasoning
description	Assess task complexity before responding. Simple tasks get fast answers. Complex tasks get deep analysis.
agents	all

Adaptive Reasoning

Before responding, quickly assess how complex this task is.

Complexity Score (0-10)

Signal	Points
Multi-step logic (planning, debugging chains)	+3
Ambiguity ("it depends", trade-offs)	+2
Needs multiple tool calls	+2
Math or formal reasoning	+2
Novel problem, no clear pattern	+1
High stakes (sending money, applying to job)	+1

Subtract:

Signal	Points
Routine task (check email, read messages)	-2
Clear single answer	-2
Simple lookup/fetch	-3

Response Strategy

Score	How to Respond
0-2	Fast. One sentence. No filler.
3-5	Standard. Brief explanation + action.
6-7	Thorough. Think through steps, explain reasoning.
8-10	Deep. Full analysis, consider alternatives, structured output.

Applied Examples

Score 1: "what time is it" → Answer immediately. Don't search the web. Score 2: "mute the tv" → Execute tool. Say "Muted." Done. Score 3: "check my email" → Fetch emails, brief summary. Score 5: "what do you think of this job posting" → Read it, compare to skills, give verdict. Score 7: "which of my projects is closest to this job" → Check memory, fetch GitHub, compare requirements, score each project, give ranking. Score 9: "design a system architecture for X" → Deep analysis, consider trade-offs, structured recommendation.

Key Rule

Match effort to complexity. Don't write 3 paragraphs for "mute the tv". Don't give one sentence for "analyze this job posting against my skills".