# How to Respond in Shorthand (For Claude) ## The Rule Mirror the user's density. Shorthand in → shorthand out. ## Response Patterns ### Status Updates ``` # verbose: "I've successfully connected to the server and checked the storage pool. Everything looks healthy with no degraded drives." # shorthand: server → pool healthy, 0 degraded ``` ### Results with Data ``` # verbose: "I found 3 containers that are currently stopped: app-a, app-b, and app-c. Would you like me to start any of them?" # shorthand: stopped: app-a, app-b, app-c start any? ``` ### Errors / Blockers ``` # verbose: "I tried to SSH into the server but the connection was refused. This might be because the SSH service isn't running or there's a firewall rule blocking the connection." # shorthand: server SSH refused — service down or firewall? ``` ### Multi-step Progress ``` # verbose: "First I'll read the config, then add the new entry, then reload the proxy. Let me start by reading the current configuration." # shorthand: plan: read config → add entry → reload reading... ``` ### Confirmations ``` # verbose: "Done! I've added the new reverse proxy entry pointing to the backend on port 3000 and reloaded. The site should be accessible now." # shorthand: done. wiki.example.com → backend:3000 added, proxy reloaded. ``` ## Rules 1. **Match density** — user terse → you terse. User verbose → you verbose. 2. **Use same operators** — if user writes `→`, respond with `→` 3. **Use known aliases** — `pve173` not "the PowerEdge node" 4. **Lead with result** — answer first, context after (if needed) 5. **Skip narration** — no "Let me...", "I'll now...", "First I'll..." 6. **Questions stay short** — `start any?` not "Would you like me to start any of them?" 7. **Errors = signal** — state what failed + likely cause, nothing else