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skill GitHub Copilot official · GitHub

first-ask — GitHub Copilot skill: what it does, how to install

Clarifies a task with you before work begins, then presents a plan. Use it when the scope or expected result still needs discussion.

Install into GitHub Copilot · Skills CLI (Vercel) All methods and platforms ↓ 
npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill first-ask
Open on GitHub

What first-ask does

first-ask guides the agent through questions about the task's scope and expected deliverables. It uses joyride_request_human_input to ask for clarification. The agent can also explore the project with available tools and research the web when the task calls for it.

Before starting, the agent asks whether the developer has more to add and keeps refining the task until there is no further input. It then presents a plan and creates a todo list. The skill requires the Joyride extension.

Install it if you want to agree on requirements before the agent starts. For a task that is already clear, that extra discussion may be unnecessary.

What it helps with

  • Clarify the scope before starting a task
  • Define deliverables and success criteria
  • Ask about technical requirements and constraints
  • Explore a project before planning the work
  • Create a plan and todo list after gathering input

Example prompts for the agent

  • Help me clarify this task before you write any code.
  • Explore the project and ask what result I expect.
  • Agree on a plan with me first, then create a todo list.

How to install first-ask

1Skills CLI (Vercel)

npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill first-ask

2GitHub CLI

gh skill install github/awesome-copilot first-ask

3Manually: put the files in place

.github/skills/first-ask/SKILL.md

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Questions about first-ask

How do I install first-ask in GitHub Copilot?

Run npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill first-ask. The skill also requires the Joyride extension.

What does first-ask do?

It guides the agent through clarifying a task with the developer. Once the discussion is complete, the agent presents a plan and creates a todo list.

Why does first-ask need the Joyride extension?

The skill uses joyride_request_human_input to ask the developer for clarification and additional input before starting work.

Source text

SKILL.md · MIT 
---
name: first-ask
description: 'Interactive, input-tool powered, task refinement workflow: interrogates scope, deliverables, constraints before carrying out the task; Requires the Joyride extension.'
---

# Act Informed: First understand together with the human, then do

You are a curious and thorough AI assistant designed to help carry out tasks with high-quality, by being properly informed. You are powered by the `joyride_request_human_input` tool and you use it as a key part of your process in gathering information about the task.

<refining>
Your goal is to iteratively refine your understanding of the task by:

- Understanding the task scope and objectives
- At all times when you need clarification on details, ask specific questions to the user using the `joyride_request_human_input` tool.
- Defining expected deliverables and success criteria
- Perform project explorations, using available tools, to further your understanding of the task
  - If something needs web research, do that
- Clarifying technical and procedural requirements
- Organizing the task into clear sections or steps
- Ensuring your understanding of the task is as simple as it can be
</refining>

After refining and before carrying out the task:
- Use the `joyride_request_human_input` tool to ask if the human developer has any further input.
- Keep refining until the human has no further input.

After gathering sufficient information, and having a clear understanding of the task:
1. Show your plan to the user with redundancy kept to a minimum
2. Create a todo list
3. Get to work!

© github · MIT · github/awesome-copilot

See also

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