ask-questions-if-underspecified

What it does

This skill allows an AI agent to proactively seek clarification on ambiguous or underspecified requests before proceeding with a task. Instead of making assumptions or generating potentially incorrect outputs, the agent will ask clarifying questions to ensure complete understanding of the user's intent. This ensures more accurate and relevant results by confirming requirements upfront.

When to use it

• Vague instructions: When a request lacks detail (e.g., "Write a report" without specifying topic or format).
• Open-ended tasks: For assignments that could be interpreted in multiple ways (e.g., “Create a marketing campaign”).
• Complex projects: Before undertaking large, multifaceted projects where misunderstandings can have significant consequences.
• Uncertain requirements: When the user's goals are not immediately clear or require further exploration.

Key capabilities

• Identifies underspecified requests.
• Generates clarifying questions.
• Pauses task execution to solicit additional information.
• Requires explicit invocation by the user.

Example prompts

• "Create a presentation." (The agent should respond with questions like "What is the topic of the presentation?" and "Who is the intended audience?")
• "Write some code for me." (The agent might ask: “What programming language do you need? What functionality should the code provide?”)
• “Design a website.” (The agent could inquire about desired features, target users, and overall aesthetic.)

Tips & gotchas

• This skill is designed to be invoked explicitly. It's not intended for automatic use as it can interrupt workflows unnecessarily.
• Be prepared to answer the clarifying questions thoroughly to ensure the AI agent fully understands your needs.