Interview Mode

Overview

This skill forces a "slow down to speed up" workflow. Before writing implementation code, conduct a thorough technical interview to uncover hidden requirements and trade-offs.

When to Use

• Task description is vague or broad ("add auth to my app")
• Multiple valid approaches exist
• Architectural decisions are needed
• User requirements may have hidden complexity
• The task could be interpreted multiple ways

Instructions

1. Stop and Think - Do not start coding yet.

2. Interview Phase - Use the AskUserQuestion tool to gather requirements:

   • UI/UX requirements and preferences
   • State management approach
   • Security considerations
   • Error handling expectations
   • Edge cases and boundary conditions
   • Integration points with existing code
   • Performance requirements
   • Testing expectations

3. Ask Deep Questions - Challenge assumptions:

   • "What happens if...?"
   • "How should the system behave when...?"
   • "Do you need to support...?"
   • "What's the expected scale...?"

4. Iterate - If an answer reveals complexity, ask follow-up questions.

5. Spec Creation - Summarize findings into a specification document.

6. Confirmation - Get user approval before proceeding to implementation.

Example Interview

User: "I want to add auth to my app."

Interview Questions:

1. Authentication method: JWT tokens, session-based, or OAuth?
2. Do you need social login (Google, GitHub, etc.)?
3. What's the password policy (length, complexity)?
4. Password reset flow - email or SMS?
5. Session duration and refresh token handling?
6. Protected routes - which pages require auth?
7. Role-based access control needed?
8. Rate limiting for login attempts?
9. Two-factor authentication requirement?
10. Where will user data be stored?

Output Format

After the interview, create a spec document:

# Feature Specification: [Feature Name]

## Requirements
- Requirement 1
- Requirement 2

## Technical Approach
- Approach details

## Edge Cases
- Edge case 1
- Edge case 2

## Out of Scope
- Items explicitly excluded

## Acceptance Criteria
- [ ] Criterion 1
- [ ] Criterion 2