# Deep Interview

> Run a structured, ambiguity-gated interview that turns an underspecified request into a decision-complete brief.

- Skill: `officebeats/deep-interview` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add officebeats/deep-interview`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/officebeats/deep-interview/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: officebeats (https://skillmd.com/u/officebeats)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/officebeats/deep-interview

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# Deep Interview

Use this skill when implementation would otherwise require material guesses about outcome, audience, constraints, workflow, or acceptance criteria.

## Inputs

- The user request and available source material.
- The decision or artifact being prepared.
- Known constraints, stakeholders, and deadlines.

## Protocol

1. Inspect available evidence before asking questions.
2. State the current interpretation in plain language.
3. Ask one high-impact question at a time.
4. Prefer concrete choices when they represent real tradeoffs; accept free-form answers when the space is genuinely open.
5. Resolve intent first: goal, success, audience, boundaries, and constraints.
6. Resolve implementation second: interfaces, data flow, failure modes, validation, rollout, and compatibility.
7. Maintain a compact decision ledger rather than replaying the full interview.
8. Stop when the brief is decision complete and no implementer choices remain.

## Ambiguity Gate

Ask only when the answer changes scope, behavior, risk, or acceptance. Discoverable repository facts must be inspected, not asked. If a low-risk preference is unanswered, use the recommended default and record it as an assumption.

## Output

Return a concise brief containing:

- Goal and success criteria.
- Audience and scope boundaries.
- Required behavior and interfaces.
- Source and privacy requirements.
- Edge cases and recovery behavior.
- Test and acceptance criteria.
- Explicit assumptions.

## Supporting Material

Read [the complete interview playbook](references/full-guide.md) only when a specialized interview mode, extended example, or full question bank is needed. Use [workshop-facilitation](../workshop-facilitation/SKILL.md) for pacing.