[23] UNDERSTAND. Consult external AI models when internal sources are exhausted. Build quality prompts using Prompt150 formula (Context + Query + Method + Style). Use when Loop150 exhausts internal sources, need real-world precedents, confidence <75%, or require reasoning from specialized AI models.
Core Principle: When internal knowledge isn't enough, consult external AI expertise. Build quality prompts that get quality answers. Validate what comes back.
When you invoke this skill, you're asking AI to:
PROMPT150 = Context150 + Query + Method + Style
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CONTEXT150 (100% core facts + 50% supporting) │
│ ├── Core situation and background │
│ ├── Key data points and constraints │
│ ├── Actions taken so far │
│ └── What we DON'T know (explicit unknowns) │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ QUERY (specific, answerable question) │
│ ├── Single, focused question │
│ ├── Answerable with available information │
│ └── NOT vague ("analyze this" ❌) │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ METHOD (how to approach) │
│ ├── "Verify claims against real data" │
│ ├── "Provide confidence levels (%)" │
│ ├── "Cite specific precedents with sources" │
│ └── "Be conservative if data insufficient" │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STYLE (output format) │
│ ├── Structured response (sections, tables) │
│ ├── Confidence % for each claim │
│ ├── Facts vs assumptions clearly separated │
│ └── Actionable recommendations if applicable │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
TRIGGER CONDITIONS:
DO NOT USE FOR:
🔍 **INTERNAL EXHAUSTION CHECK**
**Internal Sources Tried:**
- [ ] Codebase search: [Results]
- [ ] Documentation: [Results]
- [ ] Git history: [Results]
- [ ] Project files: [Results]
**Current Confidence:** [X]%
**Gap Identified:** [What we need but don't have]
**External Query Justified:** ✅ Yes | ❌ No (try more internal)
Build using Prompt150 formula:
📝 **PROMPT150 CONSTRUCTION**
**CONTEXT150:**
[100% core facts]
- Situation: [What's happening]
- Data points: [Key numbers/facts]
- Constraints: [Limits and requirements]
- Actions taken: [What's been done]
[50% supporting details]
- Background: [Broader context]
- Unknowns: [What we explicitly don't know]
- Stakes: [Why this matters]
**QUERY:**
"[Specific, answerable question]"
Example good queries:
✅ "What were timelines for SSN breach cases with 5-500 affected?"
✅ "What is typical regulator response time for consumer complaints?"
❌ "Analyze my case" (too vague)
❌ "What should I do?" (too broad)
**METHOD:**
- Use Loop150-like verification
- Provide confidence levels (%)
- Cite real precedents with sources
- Be conservative if data insufficient
**STYLE:**
- Structured sections/tables
- Confidence % on each claim
- Facts vs assumptions separated
- Actionable recommendations
🤖 **MODEL SELECTION**
**Query Type:** [Research/Reasoning/Coding/Creative]
**Recommended Model:**
- Complex reasoning: ChatGPT-4/Claude (thinking models)
- Coding help: Claude/GPT-4
- Research synthesis: Perplexity/ChatGPT with browsing
- Current events: Models with web access
**Selected:** [Model name]
**Reason:** [Why this model]
🌐 **ASK-AI 150 REQUEST**
**Justification:** Internal sources exhausted
**Confidence Gap:** [Current X%] → [Need Y%]
**Prompt Preview:**
"""
[Full Prompt150 to be sent]
"""
**Target Model:** [Model name]
**Approve external query?** (Yes / No / Modify)
Execute the query and capture response.
✅ **RESPONSE VALIDATION**
**Source Credibility:**
- Model used: [Name]
- Claims verifiable: [Yes/Partially/No]
- Confidence stated: [Yes/No]
**Content Assessment:**
- Answers query: ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Partially | ❌ No
- Facts vs opinions: [Clear/Mixed/Unclear]
- Actionable: [Yes/Needs interpretation/No]
**Integration:**
- Confidence boost: [+X% → new total]
- Gaps remaining: [What's still unknown]
- Action items: [What to do with this info]
Request:
🌐 **ASK-AI 150 REQUEST**
**Internal Sources Exhausted:** ✅
**Current Confidence:** [X]%
**Gap:** [What we need]
**Prompt150:**
---
CONTEXT:
[Context150 content]
QUERY:
[Specific question]
METHOD:
- Verify against real data
- Provide confidence %
- Cite real precedents
- Be conservative
STYLE:
- Structured response
- Confidence per claim
- Facts vs assumptions
---
**Target:** [AI Model]
**Approve?**
Response integration:
🌐 **ASK-AI 150 RESPONSE INTEGRATED**
**Query:** [What was asked]
**Model:** [What answered]
**Key Findings:**
1. [Finding 1] — [Confidence %]
2. [Finding 2] — [Confidence %]
3. [Finding 3] — [Confidence %]
**Validation:**
├── Claims verifiable: [Yes/Partially]
├── Sources cited: [Yes/No]
└── Consistent with known facts: [Yes/No]
**Confidence Update:** [X%] → [Y%]
**Remaining Gaps:** [What's still unknown]
**Next Steps:** [How to use this information]
| Failure | Detection | Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Premature External | Didn't exhaust internal | Complete internal search first |
| Poor Prompt | Vague, context-poor | Reformulate with Prompt150 |
| Unreliable Response | Unverifiable claims | Find better sources or reject |
| No Validation | Used response blindly | Cross-check before acting |
Query: "How to build web app?"
Context: [None provided]
Result: Got generic outdated advice, wasted time
🌐 ASK-AI 150 REQUEST
Internal Sources Exhausted: ✅
- Checked all project docs
- Searched codebase
- No breach precedent data found
Current Confidence: 65%
Gap: Need real-world timeline data for similar cases
Prompt150:
---
CONTEXT:
- SSN data breach affecting 47 individuals
- Breach discovered: 2024-03-15, Notified: 2024-06-20 (97 days)
- Washington State (RCW 19.255.010 requires 45 days)
- HIPAA-covered entity (45 CFR §164.524)
- Complaints filed with AG and HHS/OCR
QUERY:
"What were actual timelines and outcomes for SSN data
breach cases similar to this (5-500 people affected) in
the past 5 years?"
METHOD:
- Cite specific cases with dates and outcomes
- Provide confidence levels for predictions
- Distinguish confirmed data from estimates
- Be conservative if data insufficient
STYLE:
- Table format for cases
- Confidence % on predictions
- Separate facts from projections
---
Target: ChatGPT-4 (with web search)
Approve? Yes
---
🌐 ASK-AI 150 RESPONSE INTEGRATED
Key Findings:
1. Similar cases settled in 6-18 months (75% confidence)
2. Typical per-person compensation: $100-500 (70% confidence)
3. AG response time: 30-90 days (80% confidence)
Validation:
├── Claims verifiable: Partially (cited 3 real cases)
├── Sources cited: Yes (court records referenced)
└── Consistent with known facts: Yes
Confidence Update: 65% → 82%
Remaining Gaps: Specific WA state precedents
Next Steps: Use timeline estimates for planning,
continue monitoring for WA-specific cases
Remember: Ask-AI is like calling a consultant — you don't call before doing your homework, you come with specific questions, and you verify their advice. Quality in, quality out.