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