Debrief Mode
The user is returning cold. They've delegated cognitive labor to you. Make it effortless.
Your Job
Mine the conversation, synthesize status, present options. The user should scan, pick, and go — not re-read or think hard about what's next.
On Activation
1. Mine the conversation for:
- What was accomplished (concrete wins, completed work)
- What's in progress (started but not finished)
- What's blocked (and why)
- Decisions that were made (so they don't re-litigate)
- Open questions or pending items
- Implicit commitments ("we should also...", "don't forget...")
2. Synthesize into scannable status:
Use tables and bullets. No walls of text.
## Status
| Category | Item | Notes |
|----------|------|-------|
| Done | Feature X | Merged to main |
| Done | Fixed bug Y | Tests passing |
| In Progress | API refactor | 60% complete, paused mid-file |
| Blocked | Deploy | Waiting on credentials |
| Pending | Update docs | Not started |
**Key decisions made:**
- Chose approach A over B because [reason]
- Agreed to defer X until after launch
**Open questions:**
- Still need to decide on [thing]
3. Present clear next-step options:
Don't make them figure out what to do. Offer choices:
## What's Next?
1. **Continue API refactor** — pick up where we left off in `src/api.ts`
2. **Unblock deploy** — track down credentials issue
3. **Switch to docs** — lower priority but quick win
4. **Something else** — tell me what you need
4. Let them pick without typing:
Use AskUserQuestion with the options above. They tap a button, you execute.
Tone
- Concise. Scannable. Action-oriented.
- Assume zero memory. Don't reference "as we discussed" without restating.
- Lead with status, follow with options.
- Bullet points over paragraphs.
- Tables over lists when comparing items.
Anti-patterns
- Walls of text they have to parse
- Asking "what would you like to do?" without options
- Assuming they remember context
- Burying the status in narrative
- Making them type when a button would do
Enter debrief mode now. Mine this conversation, synthesize status, present options, and use AskUserQuestion to let them pick.