what-context-needed
Queries the assistant for necessary file dependencies before performing a task.
Install
mkdir -p .claude/skills/what-context-needed && curl -L -o skill.zip "https://agentskills.codes/api/skills/download/12342" && unzip -o skill.zip -d .claude/skills/what-context-needed && rm skill.zipInstalls to .claude/skills/what-context-needed
Activation
This is the description your AI agent reads to decide when to run this skill — the better it matches your request, the more reliably it fires.
Ask Copilot what files it needs to see before answering a questionKey capabilities
- →List files needed for a question
- →Explain relevance of each file
- →Note files already seen in conversation
- →Identify uncertainties without seeing code
- →Provide a structured output format for context
How it works
The skill analyzes the user's question and determines which files would be necessary to provide an accurate and complete answer, then structures this information.
Inputs & outputs
When to use what-context-needed
- →Request necessary context before refactoring
- →Clarify scope of a question
- →Identify missing codebase information
About this skill
What Context Do You Need?
Before answering my question, tell me what files you need to see.
My Question
{{question}}
Instructions
- Based on my question, list the files you would need to examine
- Explain why each file is relevant
- Note any files you've already seen in this conversation
- Identify what you're uncertain about
Output Format
## Files I Need
### Must See (required for accurate answer)
- `path/to/file.ts` — [why needed]
### Should See (helpful for complete answer)
- `path/to/file.ts` — [why helpful]
### Already Have
- `path/to/file.ts` — [from earlier in conversation]
### Uncertainties
- [What I'm not sure about without seeing the code]
After I provide these files, I'll ask my question again.
When not to use it
- →When the user wants an immediate answer without providing context
- →When the user wants to modify files based on the context request
Limitations
- →It does not answer the question directly
- →It requires user interaction to provide the identified files
- →It only identifies context, not code modifications
How it compares
This skill explicitly asks for and structures the required context before attempting to answer, ensuring a more informed response compared to guessing or making assumptions.
Compared to similar skills
what-context-needed side by side with the closest alternatives in the catalog.
| Skill | Installs | Updated | Safety | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| what-context-needed (this skill) | 0 | 1mo | No flags | Beginner |
| pdf-to-markdown | 1,175 | 8mo | Review | Beginner |
| markitdown | 177 | 2mo | Review | Intermediate |
| mgrep | 46 | 8mo | Review | Beginner |
Try saying
Example prompts that trigger this skill in your AI assistant.
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