need-explorer
Clarify intent, scope, constraints, and success criteria before artifact creation. Invoke when the request is fuzzy, the user is comparing options, or the workflow needs a stable change definition before writing artifacts.
npx skills add MageByte-Zero/spec-superflow --skill need-explorer --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
# Need Explorer Turn a rough idea into a stable change definition before writing artifacts. ## Primary Goal Agree on: problem, scope, non-goals, success criteria, whether to split before specification. ## Process ### 1. Inspect Context First Before asking questions, understand what exists and what constraints are in place. ### 2. One Question at a Time Ask a single clear question, wait for the answer, digest, then ask the next. Never ask 3+ questions at once. Each answer informs the next question. ### 3. Prefer Multiple-Choice Questions Present 2-3 options when reasonable answers are finite. This reduces cognitive load and surfaces unconsidered choices. ### 4. Propose 2-3 Approaches with Trade-Offs For each approach: what it is, upside, downside, best-for. Then **recommend one** and explain why. Never present a single path — always name at least one alternative. ### 5. Validate Before Concluding Restate what you heard: "Here's what I'm hearing: [problem, scope, non-goals, success criteria]. Does this match?" Incorporate corrections and re-validate. ### 6. DP-1: Requirement Confirmation Gate After user confirms the summary: ```bash ssf state set <change-dir> dp_1_result "confirmed:
- Primary Goal
- Process
- 1. Inspect Context First
- 2. One Question at a Time
- 3. Prefer Multiple-Choice Questions
- 4. Propose 2-3 Approaches with Trade-Offs
- 5. Validate Before Concluding
- 6. DP-1: Requirement Confirmation Gate
- 7. Hand Off
- Anti-Patterns
- Exploration Standard
- Strong Rule
- Self-Review Before Handoff
- Exception Handling
ssf state set <change-dir> dp_1_result "confirmed: <one-line summary>" ssf state set <change-dir> dp_1_timestamp $(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)
What does the need-explorer skill do?
Clarify intent, scope, constraints, and success criteria before artifact creation. Invoke when the request is fuzzy, the user is comparing options, or the workflow needs a stable change definition before writing artifacts.
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add MageByte-Zero/spec-superflow --skill need-explorer --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From MageByte-Zero/spec-superflow, a repository with 668 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.