# What Context Needed

> Ask an AI coding agent to identify which files it needs to examine before answering a question.

- Skill: `github/what-context-needed` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add github/what-context-needed`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/github/what-context-needed/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools, Code Review
- Tags: Codebase Navigation, Context, File Discovery
- Author: GitHub (Microsoft) (https://skillmd.com/u/github), verified publisher
- Updated: 2026-07-06
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/github/what-context-needed

---


# What Context Do You Need?

Before answering my question, tell me what files you need to see.

## My Question

{{question}}

## Instructions

1. Based on my question, list the files you would need to examine
2. Explain why each file is relevant
3. Note any files you've already seen in this conversation
4. Identify what you're uncertain about

## Output Format

```markdown
## Files I Need

### Must See (required for accurate answer)
- `path/to/file.ts` — [why needed]

### Should See (helpful for complete answer)
- `path/to/file.ts` — [why helpful]

### Already Have
- `path/to/file.ts` — [from earlier in conversation]

### Uncertainties
- [What I'm not sure about without seeing the code]
```

After I provide these files, I'll ask my question again.