# Differential Diagnosis Intent

> Rank 2–3 interpretations of the user query (literal, examples, comparison) with probabilities before answering. Use when the ask is ambiguous. Scope boundary — this is query triage, not medical advice (high-stakes domains → `underwriting-risk-gate`); OODA orient log → `ooda-adaptive-context`.

- Skill: `catcorner22/differential-diagnosis-intent` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add catcorner22/differential-diagnosis-intent`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/catcorner22/differential-diagnosis-intent/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: CatCorner22 (https://skillmd.com/u/catcorner22)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/catcorner22/differential-diagnosis-intent

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# Differential diagnosis of query intent

**#34** · **Domain:** Clinical reasoning (method only) · **Category:** extension · **Difficulty:** 🟡 Medium

## Core principle

List competing hypotheses, then pick — do not treat the first reading as the disease.

## AI problem addressed

The model answers the most common parse and misses the intended one.

## Implementation

1. Literal reading
2. Deeper intent (examples / how-to)
3. Alternative (compare / decide)
Assign rough probabilities; answer the top hypothesis; name the runners-up if close.

## Boundaries

- Prototype as prompt scaffold (🟢) before full pipeline middleware (🟡/🔴)
- Category router: **`ai-transfer-extension`**
- Catalog: **`ai-transfer-ecosystem-primer`**
- Runtime plugin id: `differential_diag`