intent-framed-agent
v1.0.0Frames coding-agent work sessions with explicit intent capture and drift monitoring. Use when a session transitions from planning/Q&A to implementation for coding tasks, refactors, feature builds, bug fixes, or other multi-step execution where scope drift is a risk.
Installation
Intent Framed Agent
Install
npx skills add pskoett/pskoett-ai-skills
npx skills add pskoett/pskoett-ai-skills/intent-framed-agent
Purpose
This skill turns implicit intent into an explicit, trackable artifact at the moment execution starts. It creates a lightweight intent contract, watches for scope drift while work is in progress, and closes each intent with a short resolution record.
Scope (Important)
Use this skill for coding tasks only. It is designed for implementation work that changes executable code.
Do not use it for general-agent activities such as: - broad research - planning-only conversations - documentation-only work - operational/admin tasks with no coding implementation
For trivial edits (for example, simple renames or typo fixes), skip the full intent frame.
Trigger
Activate at the planning-to-execution transition for non-trivial coding work.
Common cues: - User says: "go ahead", "implement this", "let's start building" - Agent is about to move from discussion into code changes
Workflow
Phase 1: Intent Capture
At execution start, emit:
## Intent Frame #N
**Outcome:** [One sentence. What does done look like?]
**Approach:** [How we will implement it. Key decisions.]
**Constraints:** [Out-of-scope boundaries.]
**Success criteria:** [How we verify completion.]
**Estimated complexity:** [Small / Medium / Large]
Rules:
- Keep each field to 1-2 sentences.
- Ask for confirmation before coding:
- Does this capture what we are doing? Anything to adjust before I start?
- Do not proceed until the user confirms or adjusts.
Phase 2: Intent Monitor
During execution, monitor for drift at natural boundaries: - before touching a new area/file - before starting a new logical work unit - when current action feels tangential
Drift examples: - work outside stated scope - approach changes with no explicit pivot - new features/refactors outside constraints - solving a different problem than the stated outcome
When detected, emit:
## Intent Check #N
This looks like it may be moving outside the stated intent.
**Stated outcome:** [From active frame]
**Current action:** [What is happening]
**Question:** Is this a deliberate pivot or accidental scope creep?
If pivot is intentional, update the active intent frame and continue. If not, return to the original scope.
Phase 3: Intent Resolution
When work under the active intent ends, emit:
## Intent Resolution #N
**Outcome:** [Fulfilled / Partially fulfilled / Pivoted / Abandoned]
**What was delivered:** [Brief actual output]
**Pivots:** [Any acknowledged changes, or None]
**Open items:** [Remaining in-scope items, or None]
Resolution is preferred but optional if the session ends abruptly.
Multi-Intent Sessions
One session can contain multiple intent frames.
Rules:
1. Resolve current intent before opening the next.
2. If user changes direction mid-task, resolve current intent as
Abandoned or Pivoted, then open a new frame.
3. Drift checks always target the currently active frame.
4. Number frames sequentially within the session (#1, #2, ...).
5. Constraints do not carry forward unless explicitly restated.
Entire CLI Integration
Entire CLI: https://github.com/entireio/cli
When tool access is available, detect Entire at activation:
entire status 2>/dev/null
- If it succeeds, mention that intent records will be captured in the session transcript on the checkpoint branch.
- If unavailable/failing, continue silently. Do not block execution and do not nag about installation.
Copilot/chat fallback: - If command execution is unavailable, skip detection and continue with the same intent workflow in chat output.
Guardrails
- Keep it lightweight; avoid long prose.
- Do not over-trigger on trivial tasks.
- Do not interrupt on every small step.
- Treat acknowledged pivots as valid.
- Preserve exact structured block headers/fields for parseability.
Interoperability with Other Skills
Use this skill as the front-door alignment layer for non-trivial coding work:
1. plan-interview (optional, for requirement shaping)
2. intent-framed-agent (execution contract + drift monitoring)
3. Implementation
4. simplify-and-harden (post-completion quality/security pass)
5. self-improvement (capture recurring patterns and promote durable rules)
This ordering helps reduce scope drift early and improve repeatability across tasks.