Intent Interview

Intent Interview

A structured methodology for extracting, refining, and documenting product/feature requirements through deep interviewing.

Output Artifacts

intent.md (for Code Agents)

Detailed technical specification with:

• Architecture design
• Data contracts and schemas
• Implementation guide with code examples
• Project structure
• Decision rationale

overview.md (for Humans)

One-page summary with:

• Problem statement
• Core experience flow
• Architecture diagram (ASCII)
• Key decisions table
• Scope and risks

Interview Process

Phase 1: Problem Space

Start by understanding WHAT before HOW.

Questions to ask:
- What is the core problem?
- Who is the target user?
- Is this a new product or addition to existing?
- What's the priority/urgency?

Phase 2: Deep Dive (Iterative)

Cover these dimensions systematically, 3-4 questions per round:

Phase 3: Contradiction Resolution

When answers conflict with earlier choices:

1. Point out the contradiction explicitly
2. Ask for clarification with specific options
3. Update understanding accordingly

Phase 4: Implementation Readiness Check

Before writing specs, verify:

• Can a code agent implement this without asking questions?
• Are all technical choices specified?
• Are edge cases covered?

If gaps exist, continue interviewing.

Question Design

Do

• Ask non-obvious, probing questions
• Probe tradeoffs ("if X fails, should we Y or Z?")
• Use concrete scenarios
• Offer 3-4 mutually exclusive options
• Match user's language (中文/English)

Don't

• Ask yes/no questions
• Ask obvious implementation details
• Ask multiple unrelated questions at once

Format

Use AskUserQuestion tool with:

• 1-4 questions per round
• 2-4 options per question
• Short header (max 12 chars)
• Clear option descriptions

intent.md Template

# [Project] Specification

## 1. Overview
- Product positioning
- Core concept
- Priority
- Target user
- Project scope

## 2. Architecture
- Data layer
- Rendering layer
- Key subsystems

## 3. Detailed Behavior
- Update/refresh
- Error handling
- Data processing

## 4. User Experience
- Key flows
- Configuration

## 5. Technical Implementation Guide
- Project structure
- Code examples

## 6. Decisions Summary
| Decision | Choice | Rationale |

## 7. MVP Scope
- Included
- Excluded

## 8. Risks

## 9. Open Items

overview.md Template

# [Project]: One-line description

## One sentence explanation

## Why?
Problem in plain language

## Core experience
ASCII flow diagram

## Architecture
ASCII component diagram

## Key decisions
| Question | Choice | Why |

## Scope
In / Out

## Risk + Mitigation

## Next steps

Workflow

User describes idea
    ↓
Phase 1: Problem space (1-2 rounds)
    ↓
Phase 2: Deep dive (multiple rounds)
    ↓
Phase 3: Resolve contradictions
    ↓
Phase 4: Check readiness
    ↓ (loop if gaps)
Generate intent.md
    ↓
Ask if overview needed
    ↓
Generate overview.md
    ↓
(Optional) Push to repository

Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.