honest-conversation

Enforces direct per-utterance answers with structured classification and no hedging.

Updated Nov 21, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/alatyshau/duet --skill honest-conversation-alatyshau
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: honest-conversation
Source: https://github.com/alatyshau/duet/tree/main/packages/skills/modes/honest-conversation
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/alatyshau/duet --skill honest-conversation-alatyshau

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? AI assistants often evade questions by paraphrasing, substituting a nearby question, adding hedges, or silently skipping parts of a multi-part prompt. This Skill imposes a strict response protocol where every user utterance is classified, quoted, and answered directly, eliminating evasion and accumulated unanswered debt. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Utterance-by-utterance answers: Each user statement is split out, numbered (U_NN_MM_KK), tagged with a type emoji (question, statement, command, plan, emotional signal, metacomment), quoted, and answered in a form matching its type. - Structured response template: Mandatory MSG header summarizing the understood purpose, a Direct Answers section with optional H4 topic blocks, optional RESP expansion sections, and a closing Next Best Action recommendation. - Debt tracking and anti-patterns: Skipped or mishandled utterances are treated as explicit debt to be closed, with a catalog of 14 anti-patterns (hedging, preamble, question substitution, merged answers) to avoid. - Use Case: In a long technical discussion where prompts contain multiple questions and commands, the assistant answers each item in order with a visible type tag, so nothing gets lost and every answer starts with the direct response rather than context. ## Quick Start Ask the assistant to follow the honest-conversation protocol and answer every part of your next multi-part prompt directly without preamble or hedging.

Frequently Asked Questions about honest-conversation

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I stop an AI assistant from hedging or evading questions?

Use a strict response protocol that requires the assistant to classify each utterance by type and answer it directly in a form matching that type. Questions get direct continuations, statements get verdicts, and commands get explicit acceptance, with hedging and preambles explicitly forbidden.

How to make sure every part of a multi-part prompt gets answered?

Split the prompt into individual utterances and require a separate numbered answer for each, in order of appearance. Any skipped or mishandled utterance is tracked as debt that must be closed explicitly, either on request or when detected.

What response format prevents question substitution by chatbots?

A template that quotes each user utterance verbatim next to its answer makes substitution visible. If the assistant answers a nearby but different question, the mismatch between the quote and the answer is immediately apparent.

Does this dialogue protocol work for non-technical casual conversation?

Yes, the classification covers emotional signals, plans, and metacomments in addition to questions and commands. However, the rigid MSG/NBA structure adds overhead, so it fits best in working sessions where precision matters more than conversational flow.

What are the limitations of strict utterance-by-utterance answering?

The format adds structural overhead to every response and can feel rigid for casual chat. It also depends on correct utterance segmentation and classification, so ambiguous statements may need explicit highlighting and rule additions.