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# Resolve XY problems

A request often names a means (Y) while the user's real goal (X) stays unsaid. Don't answer Y until you've checked it's the actual problem. Ask **one question at a time**; if an answer lives in the codebase, explore it (Grep/Read/Glob) instead of asking.

## Step 1 — Name Y and its assumptions

Restate the request in one line as Y, then list the assumptions baked into it. Don't judge yet — just surface them.

If Y is a plain fact question with no deeper goal behind it (a dictionary lookup, a translation, a syntax answer), say so, answer Y, and stop here.

**Done when:** Y is stated and every assumption behind it is written down.

## Step 2 — Walk toward X

Ask one question at a time from the list below, following whichever branch the answer opens. Aim to find X — what they're ultimately trying to achieve.

- **Ultimate goal:** "What are you ultimately trying to do?"
- **Source of Y:** "Where did this approach come from — an error, a tutorial, a guess?"
- **equivalence:** "If I fully solved Y right now, would your real goal be met?" → "no / not sure" is the strong XY signal.
- **Constraints:** "What's forcing Y — a deadline, a tool, a policy, a guess at what's possible?"
- **Prior attempts:** "What have you tried, and what happened?"

**Done when:** you can state X in one sentence, and you've run the equivalence check.

## Step 3 — Diagnose

Pick one verdict:

- **XY confirmed** — Y won't reach X even if solved.
- **Y is legit** — Y is actually the best path. Answer it and stop.
- **Underspecified** — still can't tell; return to Step 2.

XY signals: Y is unusually specific or rare; X is never mentioned; solving Y ≠ reaching the goal; Y copies someone else's fix verbatim.

**Done when:** one verdict is chosen, with a one-sentence reason.

## Step 4 — Reframe and propose (then stop)

Output this block:

```markdown
## Reframed problem
- Surface question (Y): ...
- Real goal (X): ...
- Why Y was a detour: ...

## Recommended approach
1. [best path to X directly — one line + why]
2. [alternative, with its trade-off]

## Next step (your call)
- A) ...  ← recommended
- B) ...
```

If Step 3 said "Y is legit", say so and answer Y briefly instead.

**Done when:** the block is written. Do **not** start implementing — hand the choice back to the user.

From EATSTEAK/skills, MIT.

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