ask-expert

name	ask-expert
description	Creates expert consultation documents with code extraction, git diffs, and size tracking (125KB limit). Use when user wants to prepare comprehensive technical documentation for external review, gather code context for architecture consultations, or create detailed technical analysis documents with full source context. Requires Node.js 18+.
allowed-tools	["Bash","Read","Write","Edit"]

Expert Consultation Document Creator

Create comprehensive technical consultation documents by extracting code, diffs, and architectural context within LLM token limits (125KB).

Document Structure

Follow this proven structure:

Part 1: Problem Context (~15-25 KB)

1. Problem - Issue, errors, test failures
2. Our Solution - What was implemented and why
3. Concerns - Code smells, coupling, architectural questions
4. Alternatives - Other approaches, trade-offs

Part 2: Complete Architecture (~60-90 KB)

5. Architecture Overview - ASCII diagram, data flow, patterns
6. Components - Frontend, tests, controllers
7. Services - Implementation and interfaces
8. Models - Domain entities with relationships

Part 3: Expert Request (~5-10 KB)

9. Questions - Specific technical questions
10. Success Criteria - Requirements and priorities

Workflow

Step 1: Write Problem Context

Create descriptive filename like {topic}-consultation.md:

cat > feature-consultation.md << 'EOF'
# Expert Consultation: [Feature Name]

## 1. Problem
[Describe the issue]

## 2. Our Solution
[What was implemented]

## 3. Concerns
[Technical concerns]

## 4. Alternatives
[Other approaches considered]

## 5. Architecture Overview
[ASCII diagram]

---
# Complete Architecture Context
EOF

Step 2: Extract Code

Use the bundled extraction script with size tracking.

💡 The script accepts multiple files in one call - batch files for efficiency:

node scripts/extract-code.js \
  --track-size --output=doc.md \
  --section="Core Files" \
  file1.ts file2.ts file3.ts \
  --section="Tests" \
  test1.ts test2.ts

File format options:

• Full file: src/Service.cs
• Line ranges: src/Service.cs:100-200 or src/Service.cs:1-30,100-150
• Git diff: src/Service.cs:diff or src/Service.cs:diff=master..HEAD

Prefer FULL files over chunks for better expert analysis. Use chunks only for very large files.

Step 3: Add Expert Request

cat >> consultation.md << 'EOF'

---
# Expert Guidance Request

## Questions
1. [Specific question about architecture]
2. [Question about trade-offs]
3. [Question about refactoring approach]

## Success Criteria
- [Required constraints]
- [Priorities]

**Please answer in English**
EOF

Step 4: Verify Size

wc -c consultation.md  # Should be 100-125 KB

DO NOT read the full file back (exceeds context).

Code Extraction Examples

See EXAMPLES.md for detailed usage patterns.

Basic extraction:

node scripts/extract-code.js \
  --track-size --output=doc.md \
  src/Component.vue tests/Component.test.ts

With sections:

node scripts/extract-code.js \
  --track-size --output=doc.md \
  --section="What Changed" \
  src/Service.cs:diff \
  --section="Implementation" \
  src/Service.cs src/Model.cs

Using config file:

node scripts/extract-code.js \
  --config=extraction-plan.json

Config File Format

Create reusable extraction plans:

{
  "output": "consultation.md",
  "trackSize": true,
  "sections": [
    {
      "header": "What Changed",
      "files": ["src/Service.cs:diff"]
    },
    {
      "header": "Core Implementation",
      "files": ["src/Service.cs", "src/Model.cs"]
    }
  ]
}

See scripts/extract-code-example.json for complete example.

Critical Rules

• ✅ Use --track-size to stay within 125 KB
• ✅ Batch multiple files in single command
• ✅ Use absolute path to script from any directory
• ✅ Include FULL files when possible
• ✅ Add architecture diagrams
• ✅ Include working AND failing tests
• ❌ Don't read completed file back
• ❌ Don't send only bug fix without context

Troubleshooting

Script not found:

# Verify script exists
ls scripts/extract-code.js

# Show help
node scripts/extract-code.js --help

Git diff errors:

git status              # Verify git repo
git rev-parse master    # Verify branch exists

Exceeding 125 KB:

• Use line ranges instead of full files for large services
• Remove boilerplate and simple DTOs
• Focus on core interfaces and modified code
• Split into multiple consultations

Code Inclusion Priority

Must include:

• Core interfaces/abstractions
• Modified/bug-fix code
• Domain models
• Key service methods
• Test examples

Skip if tight on space:

• Boilerplate
• Simple DTOs
• Repetitive test setups