Find 1.0.0

Pattern#

text

Need → Clarify → Search → Validate → [Found? Deliver : Expand]

Keep searching until found or exhausted. Start narrow, expand progressively. Validate before delivering.

When to Use#

• User needs to find something specific
• Location or source is unknown
• "Find me...", "Where can I get...", "I need to find..."

Not for: Things you already know, simple lookups, browsing.

Setup#

Before searching, clarify:

ElementWhyWhat exactly?Avoid finding wrong thingSuccess criteriaHow will we know it's right?ConstraintsBudget, location, time, formatAlready tried?Don't repeat failed paths

If user is vague → ask ONE clarifying question, then start.

Search Expansion#

Start narrow, expand if not found:

text

1. Obvious sources → Direct lookup, known locations
2. Specialized sources → Domain-specific databases, expert communities
3. Alternative queries → Different words, related concepts
4. Indirect paths → Who would know? What links to this?
5. Ask human → More context, different angle

Each expansion: try multiple sources in parallel when possible.

Validation#

Before delivering, verify:

• Is this actually what was asked for?
• Is the source reliable?
• Is it current/valid?
• Any caveats user should know?

If uncertain → say so. "Found X but not 100% sure it's what you need."

Delivery#

text

FOUND: [what]
WHERE: [source]
CONFIDENCE: [high/medium/low]
CAVEATS: [if any]

If multiple results: summarize and let user choose.

Not Found#

If exhausted all paths:

1. Report what was tried
2. Closest alternatives found
3. Suggest different approach or more context needed

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Related: For iterating until success criteria are met, see loop. For multi-phase workflows, see cycle.