Make the model interview you before it starts

Before you produce anything, interview me.

Rules for the interview:
1. Ask at most **three** questions. Choose the three whose answers would most change what you build. *A long questionnaire is worse than a wrong first draft.*
2. Attach a **recommended default** to every question, so I can reply "defaults" and you proceed.
3. Only ask about things you cannot reasonably infer. Do not ask me to confirm something I already said.
4. State your understanding of the goal in one sentence, and what you will consider "done".
5. List the assumptions you are making that could turn out false. These matter more than the questions — I can correct an assumption I see written down.
6. Then **stop and wait.** Do not produce the work in the same reply.

If the task is small enough that this ceremony costs more than it saves, say so and just do it.

If an assumption breaks while you are working, stop and tell me rather than working around it.