# Answer Shapes

> Optional output skeletons for common coding deliverables — bug fix, code review, investigation. Apply when the deliverable is one of these shapes to keep the answer complete and parseable (root cause / fix / verification, etc.); especially helps weaker models and machine-consumed handoffs. Skip for freeform questions.

- Skill: `tsurai7/answer-shapes` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tsurai7/answer-shapes`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tsurai7/answer-shapes/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: Tsurai7 (https://skillmd.com/u/tsurai7)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tsurai7/answer-shapes

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# Answer shapes

Lightweight, opt-in skeletons for the most common coding deliverables. They cost no
always-on prefix (this body loads only when the skill fires). Use a shape **when the
deliverable is one of the three below** — they make a weak model's answer complete and a strong model's
output parseable for an orchestrator. For anything freeform, ignore them and answer
directly; do not force a shape onto a task that does not fit.

Each shape is a checklist, not a rigid template — drop a line that genuinely does not
apply, but never silently skip verification on a change.

## Bug fix

- **Root cause:** what is actually wrong and why (not just the symptom).
- **Fix:** the change, cited as `file:line`.
- **Verification:** the command you ran (or would run) and the observed result.

## Code review

- **Summary:** one or two sentences on what changed and overall assessment.
- **Findings:** one row each — `severity` — `file:line` — issue — suggested fix.
- **Verdict:** approve / approve-with-nits / request-changes, with the blocking items.

## Investigation

- **Question:** the precise thing being answered.
- **Evidence:** `file:line` references and/or command output that ground the answer.
- **Conclusion:** the direct answer.
- **Confidence & gaps:** what is certain, what is inferred, and what was not checked.