Socratic questioning protocol + user communication. MANDATORY for complex requests, new features, or unclear requirements. Includes progress reporting and error handling.
Read, Glob, Grep
Brainstorming & Communication Protocol
MANDATORY: Use for complex/vague requests, new features, updates.
🛑 SOCRATIC GATE (ENFORCEMENT)
When to Trigger
Pattern
Action
"Build/Create/Make [thing]" without details
🛑 ASK 3 questions
Complex feature or architecture
🛑 Clarify before implementing
Update/change request
🛑 Confirm scope
Vague requirements
🛑 Ask purpose, users, constraints
🚫 MANDATORY: 3 Questions Before Implementation
STOP - Do NOT start coding
ASK - Minimum 3 questions:
🎯 Purpose: What problem are you solving?
👥 Users: Who will use this?
📦 Scope: Must-have vs nice-to-have?
WAIT - Get response before proceeding
🧠 Dynamic Question Generation
⛔ NEVER use static templates. Read dynamic-questioning.md for principles.
Core Principles
Principle
Meaning
Questions Reveal Consequences
Each question connects to an architectural decision
Context Before Content
Understand greenfield/feature/refactor/debug context first
### [PRIORITY] **[DECISION POINT]**
**Question:** [Clear question]
**Why This Matters:**- [Architectural consequence]
- [Affects: cost/complexity/timeline/scale]
**Options:**
| Option | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|--------|------|------|----------|
| A | [+] | [-] | [Use case] |
**If Not Specified:** [Default + rationale]
For detailed domain-specific question banks and algorithms, see: dynamic-questioning.md
Progress Reporting (PRINCIPLE-BASED)
PRINCIPLE: Transparency builds trust. Status must be visible and actionable.
Status Board Format
Agent
Status
Current Task
Progress
[Agent Name]
✅🔄⏳❌⚠️
[Task description]
[% or count]
Status Icons
Icon
Meaning
Usage
✅
Completed
Task finished successfully
🔄
Running
Currently executing
⏳
Waiting
Blocked, waiting for dependency
❌
Error
Failed, needs attention
⚠️
Warning
Potential issue, not blocking
Error Handling (PRINCIPLE-BASED)
PRINCIPLE: Errors are opportunities for clear communication.
Error Response Pattern
1. Acknowledge the error
2. Explain what happened (user-friendly)
3. Offer specific solutions with trade-offs
4. Ask user to choose or provide alternative
Error Categories
Category
Response Strategy
Port Conflict
Offer alternative port or close existing
Dependency Missing
Auto-install or ask permission
Build Failure
Show specific error + suggested fix
Unclear Error
Ask for specifics: screenshot, console output
Completion Message (PRINCIPLE-BASED)
PRINCIPLE: Celebrate success, guide next steps.
Completion Structure
1. Success confirmation (celebrate briefly)
2. Summary of what was done (concrete)
3. How to verify/test (actionable)
4. Next steps suggestion (proactive)