# Ask Questions If Underspecified

Clarify requirements before implementing.

- Repository: https://github.com/MoizIbnYousaf/ai-agent-skills (1155 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-09-21
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add MoizIbnYousaf/ai-agent-skills --skill ask-questions-if-underspecified -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add MoizIbnYousaf/ai-agent-skills --skill ask-questions-if-underspecified -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add MoizIbnYousaf/ai-agent-skills --skill ask-questions-if-underspecified -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add MoizIbnYousaf/ai-agent-skills --skill ask-questions-if-underspecified -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Clarify requirements before implementing. Do not use automatically, only when invoked explicitly.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Ask Questions If Underspecified

## Goal

Ask the minimum set of clarifying questions needed to avoid wrong work; do not start implementing until the must-have questions are answered (or the user explicitly approves proceeding with stated assumptions).

## Workflow

### 1) Decide whether the request is underspecified

Treat a request as underspecified if after exploring how to perform the work, some or all of the following are not clear:
- Define the objective (what should change vs stay the same)
- Define "done" (acceptance criteria, examples, edge cases)
- Define scope (which files/components/users are in/out)
- Define constraints (compatibility, performance, style, deps, time)
- Identify environment (language/runtime versions, OS, build/test runner)
- Clarify safety/reversibility (data migration, rollout/rollback, risk)

If multiple plausible interpretations exist, assume it is underspecified.

### 2) Ask must-have questions first (keep it small)

Ask 1-5 questions in the first pass. Prefer questions that eliminate whole branches of work.

Make questions easy to answer:
- Optimize for scannability (short, numbered questions; avoid paragraphs)
- Offer multiple-choice options when possible
- Suggest reasonable defaults when appropriate (mark them clearly as the default/recommended choice; bold the recommended choice in the list, or if you present options in a code block, put a bold "Recommended" line immediately above the block and also tag defaults inside the block)
- Include a fast-path response (e.g., reply `defaults` to accept all recommended/default choices)
- Include a low-friction "not sure" option when helpful (e.g., "Not sure - use default")
- Separate "Need to know" from "Nice to know" if that reduces friction
- Structure options so the user can respond with compact decisions (e.g., `1b 2a 3c`); restate the chosen options in plain language to confirm

### 3) Pause before acting

The rest: https://github.com/MoizIbnYousaf/ai-agent-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/ask-questions-if-underspecified/SKILL.md