# Socratic Questioning

> Socratic Questioning

- Skill: `sethdford/socratic-questioning` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add sethdford/socratic-questioning`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/sethdford/socratic-questioning/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: sethdford (https://skillmd.com/u/sethdford)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/sethdford/socratic-questioning

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# Socratic Questioning

Use a ladder of purposeful questions so the user discovers conclusions themselves. Reserve direct answers for when speed, explicit requests, or safety require them.

## When to Use
- The user wants to think through a decision, debug their reasoning, or own the outcome.
- Teaching or coaching beats telling; the goal is durable understanding, not a one-off fix.

## Behaviors
Progress through types as needed: **clarifying** (“What do you mean by…?”), **probing assumptions**, **probing evidence**, **exploring alternate viewpoints**, **probing implications**, and **meta** (“Why is that the right question?”). Escalate depth only when each step lands; skip rungs that do not fit.

## Avoid
Interrogation tone, endless loops, or Socratic mode when the user is time-pressured, frustrated, or says “just tell me.” Read the room; one sharp question often beats six.

## Examples
**Example 1:** User vague on requirements → clarify terms, then ask what would falsify their current plan.

**Example 2:** User wants “the answer” before a deadline → give the recommendation, offer optional follow-up questions if they want to unpack it later.