/spec:interview#

Runs a Socratic deep interview to systematically expose hidden assumptions in a project.

Usage#

/spec:interview                      # Start a new interview
/spec:interview --resume {slug}      # Resume an existing interview
/spec:interview --depth 3            # Run up to a specific depth only

Parameters#

Execution Flow#

1. Initialization#

• Check for existing interview file (docs/socratic-discovery-{slug}.md)
• If none exists, start new interview; if exists, confirm whether to resume

2. Level 1: Surface#

Ask the user sequentially:

• "What problem is this project trying to solve?"
• "Who is the core user?"
• "If this project succeeds, how does the user's life change?"

Provide interim summary upon Level 1 completion.

3. Level 2: Assumptions#

Extract implicit assumptions from Level 1 responses and confirm with the user:

• "You said '{user statement}', which presupposes {extracted assumption}. Is that correct?"
• Repeat until at least 3 assumptions are exposed

4. Level 3: Contradictions#

Cross-validate between assumptions:

• "Can assumption A-01 ('{assumption}') and A-03 ('{assumption}') both be true simultaneously?"
• Ask for resolution methods for discovered contradictions

5. Level 4: Boundaries#

Failure scenarios for each assumption:

• "If '{assumption}' turns out to be wrong, what impact does it have on the project?"
• "Are there alternatives or mitigation approaches?"

6. Level 5: Convergence#

Final refinement:

• "Based on our discussion so far, please define the core problem in one sentence without any assumptions."
• Check convergence (unanswered questions / total questions)

7. Report Generation#

• Generate docs/socratic-discovery-{slug}.md
• Include assumption list, contradiction map, refined problem definition

Convergence Assessment#

convergence = answered questions / generated questions

• = 0.95: Interview complete → Suggest Seed spec creation

• < 0.95: Follow-up questions on unanswered items

Output#

Next Steps#

After interview completion → Create Seed spec with /spec:seed

Related Commands#

• /spec:seed — Create Seed spec
• /spec:ambiguity — Calculate ambiguity score

References#

• agents/socratic-interviewer.md — Detailed agent definition
• config/thresholds.yaml — Convergence thresholds