cross-examine

Interviews the user question-by-question to stress-test plans and design decisions.

4.6k|462|Updated Jun 21, 2025

Search Tags:#decision tree #interview #design review #plan validation #questioning #stress test #ARCHITECTURE

One-click install

npx skills add https://github.com/zebbern/claude-code-guide --skill cross-examine

Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: cross-examine
Source: https://github.com/zebbern/claude-code-guide/tree/main/skills/cross-examine
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/zebbern/claude-code-guide --skill cross-examine

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Plans and designs often contain hidden assumptions, unresolved dependencies, and unexplored branches that only surface during implementation. This Skill systematically interrogates a plan through relentless one-at-a-time questioning until every decision branch is resolved and both sides share a common understanding.

Core Features & Use Cases

Systematic Plan Interrogation: Walks down each branch of the design decision tree, resolving dependencies between decisions one by one.
Recommended Answers: Provides a recommended answer alongside each question so the user can accept, reject, or refine it.
Codebase-Grounded Questions: Explores the codebase directly to answer questions that can be resolved from existing code instead of asking the user.
Use Case: Before implementing a new feature architecture, invoke this Skill to get grilled on data flow, error handling, and edge cases, surfacing gaps before any code is written.

Quick Start

Ask the assistant to cross-examine you on your current plan or design, answering each question one at a time until every decision is resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions about cross-examine

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I stress-test a design plan with an AI assistant?▼

Invoke the cross-examine skill and present your plan. The assistant interviews you with one question at a time, walking each branch of the decision tree and offering a recommended answer for every question until all decisions are resolved.

What is the cross-examine skill used for?▼

It is used to grill the user on a plan or design, resolving dependencies between decisions one by one. It triggers when you want to stress-test a plan, get grilled on a design, or mention "grill me".

Does cross-examine answer questions from the codebase?▼

Yes. When a question can be answered by exploring the codebase, the skill explores the code directly instead of asking the user, keeping the interview focused on genuinely unresolved decisions.

When should I not use an interview-style plan review?▼

Avoid it for trivial tasks with no branching decisions or when you need immediate code output rather than discussion. The sequential question format is slower than a single-pass plan critique.