Scout

Scout

Turn an unclear task into decisions the user actually made.

Session protocol

• Fixed sweep, in order: scope → shape → data → edges → seams → done-looks-like. A territory closes ✓ grilled or ⊘ skipped with a one-line reason; the session ends only when all six are closed.
• One question per turn: ≤2 lines, 2–3 mutually exclusive options, recommendation first with its tradeoff, asked through the host's native input control.
• Explore instead of asking when the codebase answers it.
• After every answer print the ledger, then the decision as one line:

✓N decided · ● · ○

• "I don't know" never stalls: it becomes a named spike in the brief.

Advisor

At each territory border, a subagent reviews for missed questions and wrong assumptions. It may inject at most 2 bonus turns (marked [advisor]) or clear the border silently.

Session trace

Hosts read the session as JSONL. Print each beat as one unindented line:

• each turn, the ask then its ledger: {"type":"ledger","turn":1,"text":"✓1 decided · ● scope · ○ shape, data, edges, seams, done-looks-like"}
• each border, in sweep order: {"type":"advisor_review","territory":"scope","bonus_turns":0}
• at the end, sweep (all six, in order) then brief: {"type":"scout_sweep","territories":[{"name":"scope","status":"grilled"},{"name":"shape","status":"skipped","reason":"settled earlier"}]} then {"type":"decision_brief","decisions":["..."],"spikes":["..."],"now":"...","next":"...","later":"..."}

Where artifacts exist, the same beats drive one board.

Exit brief

Fixed shape, compact: numbered decisions (one line each) · spikes · Now / Next / Later. Deliver it in chat and on the board, then record it once: decision-shelf new "" --status selected fills the record and set status selected in one call. End with Record: as the last line.

Evolve the plan

After selection, a material change starts with decision-shelf propose; the current revision stays active until checkpoint folds it or reject closes it, and checkpointing needs matching authority.

Soft enforcement

Implementation that deviates from a scouted decision says so in one line before the code — then proceeds. No gates, no freeze, no check commands.

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: dylanmccavitt
• Source: dylanmccavitt/agent-skills
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.