# Clear Ask

> Turn vague workplace context into a crisp ask with clear ownership and timing.

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

---


# clear-ask

## Purpose

Convert a fuzzy request, thread, or note into a direct ask someone can understand and act on.

## Use For

- Turning a rambling draft into a clear request
- Clarifying what decision is actually needed
- Making ownership and timing explicit before sending a message

## Inputs

- Slack or email draft
- Meeting notes
- Project context
- Pasted workplace context
- A `reduce-to-facts` ledger or conversation-state record

## Guardrails

- Read before write.
- Do not send the message unless explicitly asked.
- Separate known facts from assumptions.
- Flag missing owner, timing, or decision context.
- Prefer the smallest useful ask.

## Portable Output Contract

- Use only the useful subset of source-backed facts, assumptions, source gaps,
  stakeholder sensitivities, potential misreads, and the suggested next action.
- Use the smallest useful output.
- Label assumptions and preserve source gaps, source anchors, and confidence labels.
- When consuming upstream state, do not promote an assumption, inference, open
  question, proposed action, or stakeholder position into a fact, decision,
  commitment, owner, or deadline without new source support.
- Keep unresolved approvals, owners, timing, and blockers explicit in the ask and draft.
- Do not send, publish, update tickets, create events, or mutate systems unless explicitly asked.

## Output

- Clean ask
- Audience
- Owner
- Deadline / timing
- Decision needed
- Missing info
- Potential misread
- Why this ask is clearer
- Suggested message

## Success Standard

The output should remove ambiguity and make the next action obvious within 5 minutes.