ngmthaq/ask-user

Ask User

Purpose

Provide a deterministic, tool-first mechanism to collect required user input.

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Core Rules

• ALWAYS use a built-in ask tool if available.
• ALWAYS leave the last option open for freeform user input (never end with a closed list).
• Otherwise, fallback to structured plain text.

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When to Use

Use when:

• Required input is missing
• Ambiguity blocks execution
• Multiple valid options exist

Do NOT use when:

• Safe defaults exist
• Input is non-blocking

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Tool Priority Matrix

| Environment | Tool to Use | Mode | | ---------------------- | ---------------------- | ------------ | | GitHub Copilot | vscode_askQuestion | blocking | | Cursor | ask / UI prompt | blocking | | Claude (tools enabled) | ask_user (if exists) | blocking | | CLI agent | stdin prompt | blocking | | No tool available | structured question | non-blocking |

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Tool Usage

GitHub Copilot

vscode_askQuestion({
  question: "Select database",
  options: ["PostgreSQL", "MySQL", "MongoDB", "Other (describe yours)"],
  //                                            ^ always include a freeform last option
});

Cursor

ask({
  prompt: "Enter API base URL",
  type: "input", // freeform by nature — satisfies the open-last rule
});

Claude / Generic (tools enabled)

{
  "tool": "ask_user",
  "question": "...",
  "choices": ["A", "B", "Something else (type your answer)"]
  //                      ^ always include a freeform last choice
}

Fallback (structured text)

[INPUT REQUIRED]

Context:
<why needed>

Question:
<clear question>

Options:
A. ...
B. ...
C. Other — describe your own answer below.
  ^ always end with an open option

Expected:
<example>

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Rules

• One question at a time
• Prefer multiple-choice, but always append a freeform last option
• Must block execution until answered
• Do not assume missing data