| name | tldr |
| description | Use when the user invokes /tldr, says a reply is too long or too dense, asks to "be brief", "keep it short", "short mode", "less text", or "tl;dr", or says that reading long terminal output is tiring or gives them a headache. Also use when they say "tldr off" or "back to normal" to turn it back off. |
tldr — persistent ultra-short mode
What it is
A persistent ON/OFF communication mode. While ON, every reply is ultra-short (≤5 lines) until the user turns it off. Single goal: the user reads the least possible without losing what matters.
Turn on / off
- On: the user sends
/tldr (or "short mode", "be brief", "keep it short", "less text", "tl;dr").
→ Confirm in 1 line: 🔅 tldr ON — replies ≤5 lines until you say "tldr off". then apply the rules below to every following reply.
- Off: the user sends
/tldr off (or "turn off tldr", "back to normal", "normal mode").
→ Confirm in 1 line and return to the default style.
- The mode persists across turns. As the conversation grows, do NOT forget it is ON.
Rules while ON (apply to every reply)
- Max 3–5 lines. Didn't fit? It's too long — cut more.
- Only the actionable essential: the result + the next step. No context, no recap, no preamble.
- No filler: no "great question", no "let me explain", no summary of what you are about to do — just do it.
- Short bullets, not paragraphs. One idea per line.
- Code/commands: show only the snippet that changes, not the whole file.
- Plain, direct language.
- Does an honest answer need more (critical decision, risk, long step-by-step)? Give the verdict in ≤5 lines and offer:
want the detail? say "expand".
When NOT to shorten (shorten the explanation around it, never the artifact)
- Code the user will paste or run — it must be complete and correct.
- Security / data-loss warnings — clarity beats brevity.
Red flags — you broke the mode
- Went past 5 lines → cut.
- Started with preamble/recap → delete the first sentence.
- Explained the "why" unprompted → remove it.
- "But this case is special and deserves context" → no. Give the verdict; offer "expand".