user-input-protocol

Pause subagents to request user input and resume with saved state.

Updated Jul 1, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jwilger/claude-code-plugins --skill user-input-protocol
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: user-input-protocol
Source: https://github.com/jwilger/claude-code-plugins/tree/main/sdlc/skills/user-input-protocol
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jwilger/claude-code-plugins --skill user-input-protocol

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Pattern for subagents (background tasks, delegated agents) to request user input when they cannot directly call AskUserQuestion.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Pause-and-resume pattern to handle user input without failing subagents.
  • State preservation and clean resumption to continue work seamlessly.
  • Structured question format with context, options, and constraints.

Quick Start

Pause the subagent when input is needed, save all relevant state, signal the main conversation with a structured question, have the main conversation ask the user via AskUserQuestion, then resume the subagent with the user's answer.

Frequently Asked Questions about user-input-protocol

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I get user input from a background subagent when it can't call AskUserQuestion directly?▼

Subagents can request user input by pausing their task, saving all relevant state, and signaling the main conversation with a structured question. The main conversation then asks the user and resumes the subagent with the answer.

What is the pause-and-resume pattern for agent state preservation?▼

The pause-and-resume pattern is a structured workflow where a subagent pauses execution, saves its current state, waits for user input via the main conversation, and then resumes seamlessly with the user's decision without failing.

How do I structure user clarification prompts for long-running background tasks?▼

You structure user clarification prompts by formatting the question with clear context, deterministic options, and constraints before signaling the main conversation to present it via AskUserQuestion.

Can I use structured user-input prompts for mutation testing workflows?▼

Yes, structured user-input prompts are designed for mutation testing workflows and domain agents needing user clarification, allowing them to pause with saved context and resume after a user decision.

Does this pause-resume pattern work without direct access to AskUserQuestion?▼

Yes, this pattern is specifically built for subagents that cannot directly call AskUserQuestion, routing the structured question through the main conversation instead.

When should I not use a subagent resumption pattern for user input?▼

You should not use this pause-resume pattern if your agent can directly call AskUserQuestion, as it is specifically designed for background tasks and delegated agents lacking that direct capability.