numbered-replies

Numbered Replies

When you ask the user a numbered list of questions, expect a numbered reply where each number corresponds to your question of the same number.

How to interpret

• A reply starting with 1. (or 1) or just a list of bullets in order) maps to your questions by index.
• Do not ask the user to disambiguate which answer goes with which question — the index does that.
• Short answers are intentional and complete:
  • Out of scope — that aspect is not being addressed
  • Same flag — keep the existing flag, no change
  • b or option B — picked the lettered choice you offered
  • keep it / drop it / as-is — accept whatever defaults you proposed
• Missing numbers mean "no change / skip". Don't re-ask.
• If the user reorders items, match by content not by position. If ambiguous, ask one targeted question.

How to ask questions to invite this format

When you have multiple questions, present them as a numbered list. Keep each question short and answerable in one phrase:

1. Should we keep behavior X or change to Y?
2. What's the timeout — 30s, 60s, or other?
3. Edge case: empty input — error, default, or skip?

Not this:

I have a few things I'd like to ask you about. First, regarding behavior X,
should we keep it or change it to Y? Then there's the question of timeout,
which I'm thinking should be 30 seconds but could be 60 — what do you think?
Also, what should we do for empty input?

The numbered format lets the user answer in one short turn instead of writing a paragraph.

When NOT to use this format

• Single question — just ask it directly.
• Open-ended exploration ("what do you think about X?") — let the user answer freely.
• Yes/no on a single decision — use a structured multiple-choice prompt if your tool supports one; otherwise ask directly.