jkvc/fresh-context

Fresh Context

Run the current task in a fresh subagent that has zero prior conversation context. This eliminates confirmation bias, anchoring to earlier conclusions, and context pollution from a long session.

Use alongside another skill for an unbiased second opinion, or standalone when you've been deep in a problem and need fresh eyes.

Steps

1. Build a self-contained handoff — the subagent has zero conversation history, so the prompt must include everything it needs:

   • The task or question to answer
   • Relevant file paths and directories to examine
   • Scope boundaries (what to focus on, what to ignore)
   • If a companion skill was invoked, include its full instructions
   • If there's a plan document, spec, or PR to review, include its path

   Critical: pass facts and locations, not your conclusions. Don't say "I refactored X and I think it's correct, please verify" — say "X was refactored, verify the migration is complete and behaviorally correct." The subagent must form its own opinions.

2. Choose the right subagent — pick based on what the task needs:

   • Read-only analysis (audit, review, search) → code_search with readonly: true
   • Needs to run commands (tests, type-check, build) → shell
   • Needs to modify files → generalPurpose
   • Multiple independent areas to check → launch multiple subagents in parallel

3. Present results unfiltered — when the subagent returns:

   • Present its findings directly without softening or filtering
   • If it found issues you missed, say so explicitly
   • If it contradicts your earlier analysis, flag the contradiction — don't quietly resolve it
   • If it found nothing, that's a valid and useful signal too

Rules

• Never leak your conclusions into the subagent prompt. Give it the task, not your answer.
• Prefer read-only subagents unless the task specifically requires writes or command execution.
• If combining with another skill, paste that skill's full instructions into the subagent prompt.
• The value of this skill is the absence of prior context. Don't undermine it by summarizing your session for the subagent.
• When the user invokes this standalone (not with a companion skill), ask what they want fresh eyes on if it's not obvious from context.