note 17
Say it back
A useful move is to stop before anyone builds, and make sure you are talking about the same thing. Another is to tell the agent when you want it to look around, because it will often try to keep the change small.
01
Make it say it back
You explained a bug, or a feature, and the explanation was messy. Ask the agent to repeat it before any work starts.
“I've done a poor job of explaining that bug (or feature). Can you say it back to me to make sure we're aligned before we start work?”
Read what comes back. Correct the part that is off. The next turn should start from a shared picture of the problem.
02
Spitball
“What do you think?” and “Help me spitball this” ask for a reaction while the idea is still soft. A hole in the plan. A nearby idea. You can still keep yours.
These are thinking turns. Building comes after you have heard the reaction and decided.
03
Two kinds of job
Some days the job is a small change. Keep it small. Say exactly what to touch, and leave the rest alone.
Some days the job is to step back. The shape of the thing might be wrong, and looking around is the work.
The agent often assumes you want the small change. If you want the wider look, say so.
04
When it pushes back
The agent will sometimes say the idea is too much work, or a bad idea. Hear it. Then decide which job you are in.
If you want the wider look, ask it to be creative and explore options. Ask it to treat the problem as an opportunity, and to spend the turn on possibilities.
If you are sure of your version: “No, I think I want it this way. Why do you think I might want this?” That asks it to find the reason in your idea, which is often the real requirement.
Keep the change small when that is the job. Step back and explore when that is the job. Say which one you are in.