diff --git a/commands/gsd/discuss-milestone.md b/commands/gsd/discuss-milestone.md
index 8bb4046b6..43da5c9e8 100644
--- a/commands/gsd/discuss-milestone.md
+++ b/commands/gsd/discuss-milestone.md
@@ -27,12 +27,14 @@ Output: Context gathered, then routes to /gsd:new-milestone
1. Verify previous milestone complete (or acknowledge active milestone)
2. Present context from previous milestone (accomplishments, phase count)
-3. Follow discuss-milestone.md workflow:
- - Ask: "What do you want to add, improve, or fix?"
- - Dig into features they mention
- - Help them articulate what matters most
- - Present decision gate (ready / ask more / let me add context)
+3. Follow discuss-milestone.md workflow with **ALL questions using AskUserQuestion**:
+ - Use AskUserQuestion: "What do you want to add, improve, or fix?" with feature categories
+ - Use AskUserQuestion to dig into features they mention
+ - Use AskUserQuestion to help them articulate what matters most
+ - Use AskUserQuestion for decision gate (ready / ask more / let me add context)
4. Hand off to /gsd:new-milestone with gathered context
+
+**CRITICAL: ALL questions use AskUserQuestion. Never ask inline text questions.**
diff --git a/commands/gsd/discuss-phase.md b/commands/gsd/discuss-phase.md
index bd97b5cea..34427b8c5 100644
--- a/commands/gsd/discuss-phase.md
+++ b/commands/gsd/discuss-phase.md
@@ -30,17 +30,19 @@ Phase number: $ARGUMENTS (required)
1. Validate phase number argument (error if missing or invalid)
2. Check if phase exists in roadmap
3. Check if CONTEXT.md already exists (offer to update if yes)
-4. Follow discuss-phase.md workflow:
+4. Follow discuss-phase.md workflow with **ALL questions using AskUserQuestion**:
- Present phase from roadmap
- - Ask: "How do you imagine this working?"
- - Follow their thread — dig into what excites them
- - Sharpen the core — what's essential for THIS phase
- - Find boundaries — what's explicitly out of scope
- - Present decision gate (ready / ask more / let me add context)
+ - Use AskUserQuestion: "How do you imagine this working?" with interpretation options
+ - Use AskUserQuestion to follow their thread — probe what excites them
+ - Use AskUserQuestion to sharpen the core — what's essential for THIS phase
+ - Use AskUserQuestion to find boundaries — what's explicitly out of scope
+ - Use AskUserQuestion for decision gate (ready / ask more / let me add context)
- Create CONTEXT.md capturing their vision
5. Offer next steps (research or plan the phase)
-CRITICAL — User is the visionary, you are the builder:
+**CRITICAL: ALL questions use AskUserQuestion. Never ask inline text questions.**
+
+User is the visionary, you are the builder:
- Ask about vision, feel, essential outcomes
- DON'T ask about technical risks (you figure those out)
- DON'T ask about codebase patterns (you read the code)
diff --git a/commands/gsd/new-project.md b/commands/gsd/new-project.md
index 399a4650e..db32d7531 100644
--- a/commands/gsd/new-project.md
+++ b/commands/gsd/new-project.md
@@ -43,18 +43,46 @@ Silent setup - execute before any user output:
-Start: "What do you want to build?"
+**CRITICAL: ALL questions use AskUserQuestion. Never ask inline text questions.**
-Let them talk. Then follow the conversation arc from `questioning.md`:
-1. **Follow the thread** — dig into what they said, what excites them
-2. **Sharpen the core** — essential vs nice-to-have
-3. **Find boundaries** — what is it NOT
-4. **Ground in reality** — only constraints that actually exist
+**1. Open:**
-Be a thinking partner, not an interviewer. Help them discover and articulate their vision.
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Vision"
+- question: "What do you want to build?"
+- options: Contextual options if you have any hints, otherwise ["New app/tool", "Feature for existing project", "Let me describe it"]
-When you feel you understand it, use AskUserQuestion:
+**2. Follow the thread:**
+Based on their response, use AskUserQuestion with options that probe what they mentioned:
+- header: "[Topic they mentioned]"
+- question: "You mentioned [X] — what would that look like?"
+- options: 2-3 interpretations + "Something else"
+
+**3. Sharpen the core:**
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Core"
+- question: "If you could only nail one thing, what would it be?"
+- options: Key aspects they've mentioned + "All equally important" + "Something else"
+
+**4. Find boundaries:**
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Scope"
+- question: "What's explicitly NOT in v1?"
+- options: Things that might be tempting + "Nothing specific" + "Let me list them"
+
+**5. Ground in reality:**
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Constraints"
+- question: "Any hard constraints?"
+- options: Relevant constraint types + "None" + "Yes, let me explain"
+
+**6. Decision gate:**
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
- header: "Ready?"
- question: "Ready to create PROJECT.md, or explore more?"
- options (ALL THREE REQUIRED):
@@ -62,7 +90,8 @@ When you feel you understand it, use AskUserQuestion:
- "Ask more questions" - I'll dig deeper
- "Let me add context" - You have more to share
-If "Ask more questions" → check coverage gaps from `questioning.md` → ask naturally → return to gate.
+If "Ask more questions" → check coverage gaps from `questioning.md` → return to step 2.
+If "Let me add context" → receive input via their response → return to step 2.
Loop until "Create PROJECT.md" selected.
diff --git a/get-shit-done/references/questioning.md b/get-shit-done/references/questioning.md
index f8e46d627..185bcc8b7 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/references/questioning.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/references/questioning.md
@@ -9,68 +9,113 @@ The user often has a fuzzy idea. Your job is to help them sharpen it. Ask questi
Don't interrogate. Collaborate.
-
-**1. Open:** "What do you want to build?"
+
+**ALL questions MUST use AskUserQuestion.**
-Let them talk. Don't interrupt with clarifying questions yet.
+Never ask questions inline as plain text. Every exploration question uses the AskUserQuestion tool with thoughtful options that help the user articulate their vision.
+
+This applies to:
+- Opening questions ("What do you want to build?")
+- Follow-up questions ("You mentioned X — what would that look like?")
+- Sharpening questions ("What's essential vs nice-to-have?")
+- Boundary questions ("What's out of scope?")
+- Decision gates ("Ready to proceed?")
+
+The AskUserQuestion format helps users think by presenting concrete options to react to, rather than facing a blank text field.
+
+
+
+**1. Open**
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Vision"
+- question: "What do you want to build?"
+- options: Contextual starting points if available, otherwise broad categories + "Let me describe it"
+
+Let them respond. Then follow up based on what they said.
**2. Follow the thread**
-Whatever they said — dig into it. What excited them? What problem sparked this? Follow their energy, not a checklist.
+Whatever they said — dig into it. What excited them? What problem sparked this?
-"You mentioned [X] — what would that actually look like?"
-"When you imagine using this, what happens?"
+Use AskUserQuestion with options that probe what they mentioned:
+- header: "[Topic they mentioned]"
+- question: "You mentioned [X] — what would that actually look like?"
+- options: 2-3 interpretations of what they might mean + "Something else"
**3. Sharpen the core**
Help them distinguish the essential from the nice-to-have.
-"If you could only have one thing working, what would it be?"
-"What's the simplest version that would make you happy?"
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Core"
+- question: "If you could only nail one thing, what would it be?"
+- options: Key features/aspects they've mentioned + "All equally important" + "Something else"
**4. Find the boundaries**
What is this NOT? Explicit exclusions prevent scope creep later.
-"What are you specifically NOT building in v1?"
-"Where does this stop?"
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Scope"
+- question: "What's explicitly NOT in v1?"
+- options: Things that might be tempting to include + "Nothing specific" + "Let me list them"
**5. Ground in reality**
Only ask about constraints that actually exist. Don't invent concerns.
-"Any hard constraints — tech stack you must use, deadline, platform requirements?"
-"Does this need to work with anything existing?"
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Constraints"
+- question: "Any hard constraints?"
+- options: Common constraint types relevant to context + "None" + "Yes, let me explain"
-**BAD — Interrogation mode:**
-- "What is your target audience?" (form field)
-- "What are your success criteria?" (corporate speak)
-- "Have you done X before?" (irrelevant — Claude builds)
-- "What's your budget?" (asked before understanding the idea)
+**BAD — Inline text questions:**
+- Asking "What is your target audience?" as plain text
+- Free-form "Tell me more about X" without options
+- Any question that leaves the user staring at a blank input
-**GOOD — Thinking partner mode:**
-- "You said [X] — do you mean [interpretation A] or more like [interpretation B]?"
-- "What would make you actually use this vs abandoning it?"
-- "That's ambitious — what's the core that matters most?"
-- "Is [Y] essential or just how you're imagining it currently?"
+**GOOD — AskUserQuestion with options:**
+- header: "Audience"
+- question: "Who is this for?"
+- options: ["Just me", "My team", "Public users", "Let me describe"]
+
+**BAD — Corporate speak:**
+- "What are your success criteria?"
+- "What's your budget?"
+- "Have you done X before?" (irrelevant — Claude builds)
+
+**GOOD — Concrete options that help them think:**
+- header: "Done"
+- question: "How will you know this is working?"
+- options: ["I'm using it daily", "Specific metric improves", "Replaces current workflow", "Let me describe"]
**BAD — Checklist walking:**
- Ask about audience → ask about constraints → ask about tech stack (regardless of what user said)
-**GOOD — Following threads:**
-- User mentions frustration with current tools → dig into what specifically frustrates them → that reveals the core value prop → then explore how they'd know it's working
+**GOOD — Following threads with targeted options:**
+- User mentions frustration → AskUserQuestion with specific frustration interpretations as options → their selection reveals the core value prop
-When answers are vague, don't accept them. Probe:
+When answers are vague, don't accept them. Probe with AskUserQuestion:
-**"Make it good" → "What does good mean to you? Fast? Beautiful? Simple?"**
+**"Make it good"** →
+- header: "Good"
+- question: "What does 'good' mean here?"
+- options: ["Fast", "Beautiful", "Simple", "Reliable", "Let me describe"]
-**"Users" → "Which users? You? Your team? A specific type of person?"**
+**"Users"** →
+- header: "Users"
+- question: "Which users?"
+- options: ["Just me", "My team", "Specific type of person", "Let me describe"]
-**"It should be easy to use" → "Easy how? Fewer clicks? No learning curve? Works on mobile?"**
+**"It should be easy to use"** →
+- header: "Easy"
+- question: "Easy how?"
+- options: ["Fewer clicks", "No learning curve", "Works on mobile", "Let me describe"]
Specifics are everything. Vague in = vague out.
diff --git a/get-shit-done/workflows/discuss-milestone.md b/get-shit-done/workflows/discuss-milestone.md
index 47a0e0f96..44a801006 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/workflows/discuss-milestone.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/workflows/discuss-milestone.md
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ Continue to intake_gate.
+**CRITICAL: ALL questions use AskUserQuestion. Never ask inline text questions.**
+
The primary question is: **What do you want to build/add/fix?**
Everything else (scope, priority, constraints) is secondary and derived from features.
@@ -58,11 +60,16 @@ Check for inputs:
- Known gaps or pain points from usage
- User's ideas for what's next
-Start: "What do you want to add, improve, or fix in this milestone?"
+**1. Open:**
-Then use AskUserQuestion to explore features. After each response, dig deeper with follow-up questions about specifics.
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Next"
+- question: "What do you want to add, improve, or fix in this milestone?"
+- options: [Deferred issues from STATE.md if any] + ["New features", "Improvements to existing", "Bug fixes", "Let me describe"]
-**Feature exploration questions (use as needed):**
+**2. Explore features:**
+
+Based on their response, use AskUserQuestion:
If they named specific features:
- header: "Feature Details"
@@ -79,6 +86,13 @@ If they're not sure:
- question: "What's been frustrating or missing?"
- options: [Deferred issues from STATE.md + pain point categories + "Let me think about it"]
+**3. Prioritize:**
+
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Priority"
+- question: "Which of these matters most?"
+- options: [Features they mentioned + "All equally important" + "Let me prioritize"]
+
After gathering features, synthesize:
```
@@ -93,8 +107,9 @@ Based on what you described:
**Theme suggestion:** v[X.Y] [Name]
```
-Use AskUserQuestion for decision gate:
+**4. Decision gate:**
+Use AskUserQuestion:
- header: "Ready?"
- question: "Ready to create the milestone, or explore more?"
- options (ALL THREE REQUIRED):
@@ -102,8 +117,8 @@ Use AskUserQuestion for decision gate:
- "Ask more questions" - Help me think through this more
- "Let me add context" - I have more to share
-If "Ask more questions" → dig into features they mentioned → return to gate.
-If "Let me add context" → receive input, update synthesis → return to gate.
+If "Ask more questions" → return to step 2 with new probes.
+If "Let me add context" → receive input → return to step 2.
Loop until "Create milestone" selected.
diff --git a/get-shit-done/workflows/discuss-phase.md b/get-shit-done/workflows/discuss-phase.md
index 6685114f4..51ca59c52 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/workflows/discuss-phase.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/workflows/discuss-phase.md
@@ -88,60 +88,60 @@ Continue to questioning.
-Present initial context from roadmap:
+**CRITICAL: ALL questions use AskUserQuestion. Never ask inline text questions.**
+
+Present initial context from roadmap, then immediately use AskUserQuestion:
```
Phase ${PHASE}: ${PHASE_NAME}
From the roadmap: ${PHASE_DESCRIPTION}
-
-How do you imagine this working?
```
-Let them talk. Don't interrupt with clarifying questions yet.
+**1. Open:**
-Then follow the conversation arc:
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Vision"
+- question: "How do you imagine this working?"
+- options: 2-3 interpretations based on the phase description + "Let me describe it"
-**1. Follow the thread**
+**2. Follow the thread:**
-Whatever they said — dig into it. What excites them? What matters most?
+Based on their response, use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "[Topic they mentioned]"
+- question: "You mentioned [X] — what would that look like?"
+- options: 2-3 interpretations + "Something else"
-- "You mentioned [X] — what would that actually look like?"
-- "When you imagine using this, what happens?"
-- "Tell me more about [specific thing they mentioned]"
+**3. Sharpen the core:**
-**2. Sharpen the core**
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Essential"
+- question: "What's the most important part of this phase?"
+- options: Key aspects they've mentioned + "All equally important" + "Something else"
-Help them distinguish essential from nice-to-have FOR THIS PHASE.
+**4. Find boundaries:**
-- "What's the most important part of this phase?"
-- "If we could only nail one thing here, what would it be?"
-- "Is [Y] essential for this phase or could it come later?"
+Use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Scope"
+- question: "What's explicitly out of scope for this phase?"
+- options: Things that might be tempting + "Nothing specific" + "Let me list them"
-**3. Find boundaries**
+**5. Capture specifics (optional):**
-What is this phase NOT doing? Helps prevent scope creep during planning.
-
-- "What's explicitly out of scope for this phase?"
-- "Where does this phase end and the next begin?"
-
-**4. Capture specifics (only if they have them)**
-
-If they have specific ideas about look/feel/behavior, capture them. Don't force this.
-
-- "Any specific things you have in mind for how this should work?"
-- "Anything you've seen elsewhere that's close to what you want?"
+If they seem to have specific ideas, use AskUserQuestion:
+- header: "Specifics"
+- question: "Any particular look/feel/behavior in mind?"
+- options: Contextual options based on what they've said + "No specifics" + "Let me describe"
CRITICAL — What NOT to ask:
- Technical risks (you figure those out)
- Codebase patterns (you read the code)
- Success metrics (too corporate)
- Constraints they didn't mention (don't interrogate)
-- "What could go wrong?" (your job to identify)
-- "What existing code should I follow?" (you read the code)
-When you feel you understand their vision, use AskUserQuestion:
+**6. Decision gate:**
+Use AskUserQuestion:
- header: "Ready?"
- question: "Ready to capture this context, or explore more?"
- options (ALL THREE REQUIRED):
@@ -149,8 +149,8 @@ When you feel you understand their vision, use AskUserQuestion:
- "Ask more questions" - Help me think through this more
- "Let me add context" - I have more to share
-If "Ask more questions" → dig into areas that seem unclear → return to gate.
-If "Let me add context" → receive input → return to gate.
+If "Ask more questions" → return to step 2 with new probes.
+If "Let me add context" → receive input → return to step 2.
Loop until "Create CONTEXT.md" selected.