---
id: "prereq-clarity-of-intent"
type: "prerequisite"
source_timestamps: ["00:10:06", "00:10:17"]
tags: ["mental-models", "planning"]
related: ["framework-the-prerequisite-chain"]
reason: "Without clarity of intent, any instructions given to the agent will be vague, leading to hallucinations or incorrect task execution."
sources: ["s08-real-problem-agents"]
sourceVaultSlug: "s08-real-problem-agents"
originDay: 8
---
# Clarity of Intent

## Prerequisite

**Clarity of Intent** — the foundational layer of the [[framework-the-prerequisite-chain]].

## What it requires

Before an agent can be configured with memory or asked to perform a task, the human user must possess **absolute clarity** about:
- The desired outcome
- How to verify the outcome was achieved
- What specific steps are required to achieve it

## Why it's a prerequisite

Without clarity of intent, any instructions given to the agent will be vague, leading to hallucinations or incorrect task execution. The agent cannot infer what you didn't articulate.

## Relationship to other prereqs

Clarity of Intent is *upstream* of [[prereq-tacit-knowledge-extraction]]: even if you've extracted your tacit knowledge, you still need to know what specific outcomes you want to delegate.

## Related
- [[concept-the-now-what-problem]]
- [[framework-structured-elicitation-workflow]] (Layer 2: Recurring Decisions surfaces Clarity of Intent)