vanillagreencom Second Opinion
Cross-model second opinion via external AI CLI. Every mode walks the SECOND_OPINION_MODELS roster in priority order and takes the first target that is available and runs a different model: Codex from a Claude Code session, Claude from a Codex session; when nothing eligible remains the run refuses and says why. Full contract: second-opinion --help.
.agents/skills/second-opinion/scripts/second-opinion <mode> [options]
Workflows
| Command | Workflow | Output |
|---|---|---|
review [scope] |
workflows/review.md | Review finding JSON |
challenge [description] |
workflows/challenge.md | Structured critique (text) |
audit [path] |
workflows/audit.md | Review finding JSON |
quick [question] |
workflows/quick.md | Text response |
detect |
(built-in) | Target name(s) a review would run |
Execution Rules
- Execute all workflow sections in order. The workflow decides what to skip via "Skip if" conditions. Never skip based on your own scope assessment.
<output_format>tags are literal templates: fill[PLACEHOLDERS], omit empty lines, add nothing else, do not paraphrase.- Pass
--targetwhen the user explicitly requests a specific model/CLI (e.g., "use Claude", "ask Codex"). Otherwise omit it. The script selects from the roster and the current session's model. A forced target that runs this session's model is refused; report the refusal, do not work around it. - Do not pass
--timeoutunless the user explicitly asks for a different value for this specific call. The script reads the default from project config. - Always pass
--cwdwith the absolute project root path. Never use--cwd .. - Pass
--foregroundwhen the call can outlast the harness foreground cap. This detaches the run and prints its artifact, deadline, and wait command. - Execute the exact printed wait command and follow its exit handling in
second-opinion --helpuntil terminal. - For
quickmode, you can pass the question inline:.agents/skills/second-opinion/scripts/second-opinion quick "your question here" --cwd /path --foreground.
Session identity
Cross-model is enforced in every mode: a run with no eligible target exits 1 naming every candidate and its reason, writing nothing and invoking nothing. In a multi-model front end (Pi, OpenCode, Cursor) or an undetected harness, export SECOND_OPINION_CURRENT_MODEL in that session's own environment (none when there is no session model), never in a project settings file. Identity resolution, normalization, and the refusal rules: second-opinion --help.
Multi-lane review
SECOND_OPINION_COUNT of 2 or more makes review run up to that many distinct eligible models in parallel on one pinned scope and write a single union artifact. Lane resolution, merge rules, artifact placement and permissions, scratch durability, and the failure taxonomy: references/multi-lane.md.
Configuration
Set non-sensitive defaults in kendex.settings.toml under [env]; .env.local wins over it, and a .env file is never read. SECOND_OPINION_FOREGROUND_CAP is session-only; a project-file foreground-cap declaration is refused, and shipped workflows pass --foreground directly. This skill marks no key # required, so an install writes nothing into kendex.settings.toml; assign a key there only to change a default the scripts already read (SECOND_OPINION_TARGET has none). Keys, defaults, and the built-in claude/codex commands: second-opinion --help.
Error Handling
On script failure, stderr carries a JSON error object ({"error": "description", "target": "codex"}) or a plain Error: line for pre-flight configuration errors; exit codes, preserved-response paths, and the output-clearing/ownership rules are in second-opinion --help. Report the stated reason. An ineligible-target refusal is fixed by installing the CLI or adjusting SECOND_OPINION_<NAME>_CMD, SECOND_OPINION_MODELS, or SECOND_OPINION_CURRENT_MODEL, never by forcing the same model. For a timeout, suggest a larger --timeout or a narrower --range.
If the script fails during the orch review-pr or submit-pr (local pre-PR review) workflows, continue. External review is advisory.