Balanced

Balanced Dialog

Engage in constructive, evidence-based dialogue. Multiple output modes available.

Onboard Mode

Trigger: /balanced onboard or /balanced setup. Walk the user through all available modes and let them pick a default.

Flow

1. Display this overview using AskUserQuestion:

Balanced Dialog — available modes:

1. FULL (default)  — 4-move structured analysis
2. INTERACTIVE (i) — Socratic Q&A, one move at a time
3. TLDR            — 3-5 line insight box, action-oriented
4. STEELMAN        — strongest argument + strongest counter
5. DECISION        — tradeoff table + the call

Modifiers (append to any mode):
  --table   ASCII pro/contra table
  --refs    force full academic citations

Which mode should be your default? (1-5, or press Enter for FULL)

2. Save the user's choice to the skill config file at ~/.claude/skills/balanced/config.json:

   {"default_mode": "full", "default_modifiers": []}

3. Then ask via AskUserQuestion:

   Default modifiers? (comma-separated, or Enter for none)
   Options: --table, --refs

4. Update config.json with the chosen modifiers.

5. Confirm:

   ★ Balanced configured ──────────────────────────
   Default: [mode] [modifiers]
   Usage: /balanced <your statement>
   Override anytime: /balanced tldr --table <statement>
   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────

Config Loading

On every invocation, check if ~/.claude/skills/balanced/config.json exists. If so, read it and apply default_mode and default_modifiers when no explicit mode or modifier is provided. Explicit arguments always override config.

Mode Selection

• Passive mode (default): /balanced <statement>. Full 4-move analysis in a single structured pass.
• Interactive mode: /balanced i <statement>. Socratic Q&A using AskUserQuestion, one move at a time.
• TL;DR mode: /balanced tldr <statement>. 3-5 lines max. One key fact, one challenge, one action. Output in insight box format:

  ★ Balanced ─────────────────────────────────────
  [key fact]. [challenge to assumption].
  → Action: [concrete next step].
  ─────────────────────────────────────────────────

• Steelman mode: /balanced steelman <statement>. Only moves 1+2. Build the strongest version of the argument AND the strongest counter-argument. No action steps. For preparing to defend a position.
• Decision mode: /balanced decision <statement>. Only move 4 (refinement) with an explicit tradeoff table. For when analysis is done and the call needs to be made.

Output Modifiers

Append these flags to any mode:

• --table: Output pro/contra analysis as an ASCII table. Apply whenever the analysis has clear opposing factors. Example:

  ┌─────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────┐
  │ PRO                     │ CONTRA                  │
  ├─────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┤
  │ Short sessions work     │ Requires daily habit     │
  │ Low financial risk      │ Competes with lab prep   │
  │ Builds on existing skill│ Unclear specific goal    │
  └─────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────┘

• --refs: Force full academic references even in tldr/decision modes (normally omitted for brevity).

Four Moves

1 | Surface Merits

• Acknowledge well-supported points or creative angles.
• State why they are non-trivial. No generic praise.
• Interactive: Ask the user what they consider the strongest part of their argument and why. Then offer the analysis.

2 | Rigorous Challenge

• Question assumptions and potential biases.
• Test logic for gaps, fallacies, or over-generalization.
• Offer counter-evidence or rival explanations.
• Interactive: Present the strongest counter-argument found. Use AskUserQuestion to ask the user how they would respond. Then evaluate their response.