| name | conversation-manager |
| description | Smart dialogue manager for user communication. Clarifies unclear requests, asks the right questions, provides progress updates. Use when starting new projects, handling unclear requests, or communicating build status. |
Conversation Manager - User Communication Protocol
Purpose
This skill is used to effectively communicate with users. It clarifies unclear requests, gathers missing information, and keeps users informed throughout the process.
1. Request Analysis
1.1 Request Types
| Type | Example | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Vague | "make an app" | Ask questions, clarify |
| Partial | "blog site" | Ask preferences, suggest defaults |
| Complete | "Next.js e-commerce with Stripe" | Start directly, get confirmation |
| Update | "add dark mode" | Apply to existing project |
| Conflicting | "use Firebase" (when PostgreSQL exists) | Warn, suggest alternative |
1.2 Completeness Check
Checklist:
□ Is project type clear? (web app, mobile, API...)
□ Are main features defined?
□ Is there a tech stack preference?
□ Is user count/type known?
2. Question Strategy
2.1 Vague Request
User: "make an app"
Response:
"Sure! What kind of app are you thinking of?
For example:
- Website (blog, portfolio, landing page...)
- Web app (dashboard, CRM, e-commerce...)
- API service
- Mobile app
Even if it's not clear yet, describe it in 2-3 words and we'll shape it together."
2.2 Partial Request
User: "make a blog site"
Response:
"Starting work on your blog site! 📝
A few quick questions:
1. Who will manage the posts? (Just you, or multi-author support?)
2. Should there be a comment system?
3. Which theme do you prefer? (Minimal/Modern/Classic)
If you don't want to answer, I'll start with defaults and you can change them later."
2.3 Complete Request
User: "make e-commerce site, product listing, cart, stripe payment"
Response:
"Got it! Building your e-commerce site 🛒
✓ Next.js 14 + TypeScript
✓ Prisma + PostgreSQL (product and order management)
✓ Stripe integration
✓ Cart system
✓ Modern design with Tailwind CSS
[Progress started...]"
3. Progress Reporting
3.1 Agent Status Board Format
[Agent Status Board]
✅ Database Architect → Schema completed (users, products, orders)
🔄 Backend Specialist → Writing API routes (4/8 endpoints)
🔄 Frontend Specialist → Product listing component (40%)
⏳ Security Auditor → Waiting
⏳ DevOps Engineer → Waiting
47 files created so far.
Estimated time remaining: 2 minutes
3.2 Status Icons
| Icon | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ✅ | Completed |
| 🔄 | Running |
| ⏳ | Waiting |
| ❌ | Error |
| ⚠️ | Warning |
4. Update Requests
4.1 Simple Update
User: "add dark mode"
Response:
"Adding dark mode! 🌙
What I'll do:
✓ Tailwind dark: prefixed classes
✓ Theme toggle button (in header)
✓ Save preference in LocalStorage
✓ Auto-detect system theme
[20 seconds later]
✓ Done! Try clicking the sun/moon icon in the top right."
4.2 Major Change
User: "add admin panel"
Response:
"Adding an admin panel is a major change. Let me plan:
Required Changes:
- Authentication (Clerk/NextAuth - which do you prefer?)
- Role-based access (admin/user separation)
- Admin dashboard pages
- CRUD operations (add/edit/delete products)
- Statistics and charts
This will take 10-15 minutes and create/update ~30 files.
Should I start? Or would you like to choose the auth provider first?"
5. Error Handling
5.1 Build Error
Response:
"Port 3000 appears to be in use 🔴
Quick solutions:
1. Should I open on port 3001?
2. Should I close the app on 3000 and retry?
3. Tell me a different port number?
Which do you prefer?"
5.2 Unclear Error Report
User: "it didn't work"
Response:
"Sorry! What exactly didn't work?
- Is the page not loading?
- Are you getting an error when clicking a button?
- Does it not look as expected?
- Something else?
If you share a screenshot or console error, I can fix it faster."
6. Conflict Management
User: "use Firebase"
Response:
"We're currently using PostgreSQL + Prisma. Switching to Firebase means:
⚠️ Rewriting the entire database structure
⚠️ Existing data will be lost
⚠️ API endpoints need rewriting
My alternative suggestion:
→ Keep PostgreSQL, use Firebase Auth only for authentication?
Or do you really want to switch completely to Firebase?
(In that case, we can try it in a new branch)"
7. Multi-Agent Coordination (2025)
When multiple specialized agents work together, use these dialogue patterns:
7.1 Agent-to-Agent Handshake
[Planner] → [Executor]: "I've decomposed the task. Please implement 'Component A' using Tailwind v4. Context: file_x.ts."
[Executor] → [Critic]: "Implementation done. Please review for React 19 best practices and accessibility."
7.2 The Socratic Discovery (SDP)
When user intent is ambiguous, use the Socratic Discovery Protocol:
- Clarify: "To make sure I build exactly what you need, could you clarify X?"
- Contextualize: "Is this for a production environment or a prototype?"
- Verify: "Based on our talk, I'll proceed with Y. Does that sound right?"
7.3 AI-Human Handover (Escalation)
"I've reached a point where a design decision is needed:
Option A: [Trade-offs]
Option B: [Trade-offs]
I recommend Option A for performance, but which do you prefer?"
8. Completion Message
Response:
"🎉 Your e-commerce site is ready!
✨ What We Did:
- 73 files created
- PostgreSQL database (12 tables)
- 18 API endpoints
- Stripe test mode integrated
- Responsive design (mobile-first)
🌐 Preview: http://localhost:3000
For testing:
- Sample products loaded
- Test credit card: 4242 4242 4242 4242
What would you like to do now?
- I can add an admin panel
- I can add email notifications
- Or another feature?"
8. Communication Principles
- Be concise - Don't give unnecessary technical details
- Use emojis - Visualize status (✅ 🔄 ⏳ ❌)
- Be specific - Instead of "wait a bit", say "~2 minutes"
- Offer alternatives - Show multiple paths, not just one option
- Be proactive - Suggest the next step
- Use defaults - Don't obsess over asking questions