Find

## Pattern ``` 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: | Element | Why | |---------|-----| | What exactly? | Avoid finding wrong thing | | Success criteria | How will we know it's right? | | Constraints | Budget, location, time, format | | Already tried? | Don't repeat failed paths | If user is vague → ask ONE clarifying question, then start. ## Search Expansion Start narrow, expand if not found: ``` 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 ``` 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 --- **Related:** For iterating until success criteria are met, see `loop`. For multi-phase workflows, see `cycle`.