Using AskUserTool in codex-cli

Coding with ChatGPT Codex CLI
1

AskUserTool in claude code is powerful feature.

is there any way to use it in codex cli?
I’m trying to use it with skills

1 Like
2

i asked claude to explain the tool, then I used the create skill skill in codex to make it a skill called ask-user-question and it works really well. i set the model to 5.2 w/ minimal reasoning. it can ask 30+ questions and only use 10% of the context, then it will create or update your specs, docs, etc.

<-full skill doc below–>

name: ask-user-question

description: Run a structured interview using the AskUserQuestion tool to gather requirements one question at a time. Use when the user says “interview me”, “ask me questions about”, “use the ask user skill”, “use your interview skill”, or when requirements are ambiguous and need a guided, option-based questionnaire before proceeding.

Ask User Question

Overview

Use a structured interview to collect missing context before planning or executing work. Ask informed, option-based questions with clear tradeoffs, and wait for answers before proceeding.

Interview Workflow

  1. Explore before asking.
    • Inspect the codebase and existing patterns.
    • Note constraints, conventions, and likely decision points.
  2. Identify critical decisions.
    • Focus on choices that impact architecture, scope, or rework risk.
    • Skip implementation details until direction is clear.
  3. Design structured questions.
    • Ask one question at a time by default.
    • Provide 2-4 mutually exclusive options with tradeoffs.
    • Lead with a recommended option based on discovery.
  4. Ask and wait.
    • Use the AskUserQuestion tool if available.
    • Do not proceed until the user answers or declines.
  5. Iterate.
    • If answers create new unknowns, ask the next question.
    • When clarity is sufficient, move to planning/execution.

Question Design Rules

  • Keep question headers <= 12 chars.
  • Make options concrete and actionable, not open-ended.
  • Explain why each option fits and the tradeoffs.
  • Avoid asking blind; every question must be grounded in discovery.
  • Prefer single-question turns unless batching is required.

AskUserQuestion Tool Usage

Use this structure:

Question:

  • text: specific question with context
  • header: short tag, max 12 chars
  • options: 2-4 items, each with label + tradeoff description
  • multiSelect: false unless multiple options can legitimately apply

If the tool is unavailable, present the same structure in markdown and ask the user to reply with the option label or “Other”.

Example Prompts That Trigger This Skill

  • “Interview me about this project.”
  • “Ask me questions about the requirements.”
  • “Use the ask user skill.”
  • “Use your interview skill.”
1 Like