/clarify — Adaptive Requirements Clarification

Chain (MUST)

Previous	Current	Next
Session start	/clarify	Present PLAN inline → /implement

Core Model

/clarify → Measure complexity → Clear enough?
                                ├─ Yes → Present PLAN inline → /implement
                                └─ No  → Deeper clarify (explore, analyze, DRAFT...)
                                         → Re-measure → Repeat

Exit condition: "Is this enough info to implement?" — Critical Unknown=0 + remaining items are made visible (Provenance).

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Reference Files (load as needed — chaining)

When	File
Tagging provenance on key decisions/assumptions / probe decisions	references/provenance.md
Pre-PLAN user confirmation	references/checkpoint.md
When document authority/reading order is unclear	references/doc-roles.md
Full Deep path procedure	deep/DEEP.md
PLAN/DRAFT structure (Lite/Full + Clarify Verdict)	templates/

Inline essentials only: probe-don't-tag (if cheaply verifiable, measure instead of tagging), PLAN=intent · WRAP/DECISIONS=fact, do not hide inferences. Details in the references above.

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Step 0: Route — Complexity Assessment

Measure complexity internally upon receiving request (do not expose to user).

Complexity Signals

Signal	LOW	HIGH
Request length	Short and specific	Long or ambiguous
Keywords	"add", "fix", "change"	"design", "migration", "from scratch"
Uncertainty	None	"not sure", "how should I"
Impact scope	Single file/module	Cross-cutting, multiple services
Risk	Low (UI, text)	High (DB, auth, breaking API)
Existing patterns	Clearly exist	None or unfamiliar stack

• LOW → Shallow Path (completed within this file)
• HIGH → Deep Path (see deep/DEEP.md)
• Ambiguous → Start Shallow, monitor escalation conditions

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Shallow Path (Low Complexity)

Remove ambiguity via quick Q&A, generate minimal specs, and present the PLAN inline.

Execution

1. Record: Log original request + identify ambiguous parts
2. Question: AskUserQuestion (specific options, 2-3 rounds)
3. Escalation Check: Check escalation conditions (see below)
4. Create DRAFT: Write .dev/specs/{name}/DRAFT.md (minimal version — What, Why, Scope, Success Criteria)
5. Summary + Create PLAN: Before/After comparison → Write .dev/specs/{name}/PLAN.md
6. Present PLAN: Present the PLAN inline in the conversation (do NOT enter plan mode), then immediately call /implement. The plan file must be written to .dev/specs/{name}/PLAN.md

Rules

• No assumptions → Ask questions
• Clarify to TDD-ready level
• Target resolution within 3 rounds

Escalation → Deep Path

Switch to Deep Path if any of these are detected:

• Scope still undefined after 3 rounds of questions
• New uncertainties keep emerging from user answers
• Impact scope expanded beyond initial estimate (single → multi-module)
• Risk indicators found (DB schema, auth, breaking changes)
• User doesn't know the approach itself ("I don't know how to do this")

On switch: Inform "Scope is more complex than expected. Exploring the codebase first." then follow the process in deep/DEEP.md.

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Deep Path

When complexity is HIGH or escalated from Shallow.

See deep/DEEP.md for the full process.

Summary:

1. Classify intent (7 types) → Determine strategy
2. 3 parallel exploration agents → Understand codebase
3. Generate DRAFT → Interview → Continuously update
4. On user explicit request → Analysis agents → Generate PLAN → Reviewer loop
5. Present PLAN inline → immediately call /implement (no plan mode entry)

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DECISIONS.md Recording (MUST)

Record decisions in .dev/DECISIONS.md before finalizing plan:

Situation	Required Record
New feature design	Decision background, alternatives, reasoning
Architecture choice	Considered options, selection rationale
Trade-offs	What was sacrificed and what was gained

## YYYY-MM-DD: {feature-name}
- **Decision**: What was decided
- **Reason**: Why this choice was made
- **Alternatives**: Options considered but not chosen
- **Reference**: .dev/specs/{feature-name}/PLAN.md (if exists)

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Plan File Requirements

Plan files must include:

• Specify implementation via /implement skill
• Verification method (test execution)
• Confirmation that .dev/DECISIONS.md recording is complete

Plan File Location: The PLAN must be written to .dev/specs/{name}/PLAN.md.

Important: Plans that do not use /implement will not be approved.

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NEXT STEP (Auto-execute)

After presenting the PLAN inline, call /implement immediately. Do NOT enter plan mode; do not ask "Should I implement?".