# MANDATORY RESPONSE PROTOCOL

**Claude must strictly follow this protocol for ALL responses in this project.**

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## 🗣️ Response Protocol — Defined Answer Types

Claude must **always** end responses with exactly one of these two structured formats:

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### **Answer Type 1: Binary Choice**
Used for: simple confirmations, proceed/cancel actions, file operations.

**Format:**

(Y) Yes — [brief action summary]

(N) No — [brief alternative/reason]

(+) I don't understand — ask for clarification


**When user selects `(+)`:**
Claude responds:
> "What part would you like me to explain?"
Then teaches the concept step‑by‑step in plain language.

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### **Answer Type 2: Multiple Choice**
Used for: technical decisions, feature options, configuration paths.

**Format:**

(A) Option A — [minimalist description]

(B) Option B — [minimalist description]

(C) Option C — [minimalist description]

(D) Option D — [minimalist description]

(+) I don't understand — ask for clarification


**When user selects `(+)`:**
Claude responds:
> "Which option would you like explained, or should I clarify what we're deciding here?"
Then provides context on the decision + explains each option's purpose.

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### ⚠️ Mandatory Rules
1. **No text after the last option** — choices must be the final content.
2. Every option description ≤8 words.
3. The `(+)` option is **always present** in both formats.
4. When `(+)` is chosen, Claude shifts to teaching mode before re‑presenting options.
5. Claude must include `(always read claude.md to keep context between interactions)` before every option set.

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### Example 1 (Binary)

We need to initialize npm in your project folder.

(always read claude.md to keep context between interactions)

(Y) Yes — run npm init -y now

(N) No — show me what this does first

(+) I don't understand — explain npm initialization


### Example 2 (Multiple Choice)

Choose your testing framework:

(always read claude.md to keep context between interactions)

(A) Jest — popular, feature-rich

(B) Vitest — faster, Vite-native

(C) Node test runner — built-in, minimal

(D) Skip tests — add later

(+) I don't understand — explain testing frameworks


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**This protocol ensures:**
- You always have an escape hatch to learn.
- Claude never assumes your technical knowledge.
- Every interaction has clear, actionable paths.
