@hcflabs/pi-ask-question

Ask Pi users one interactive question with choices or a custom answer.

Packages

Package details

extension

Install @hcflabs/pi-ask-question from npm and Pi will load the resources declared by the package manifest.

npm repo home report

$ pi install npm:@hcflabs/pi-ask-question

Package: @hcflabs/pi-ask-question
Version: 3.2.4
Published: Oct 24, 2026
Downloads: 229/mo · 229/wk
Author: csubj
License: MIT
Types: extension
Size: 268.5 KB
Dependencies: 0 dependencies · 2 peers

Pi manifest JSON

{
  "image": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hcflabs/pi-harness/main/extensions/pi-ask-question/example.png",
  "extensions": [
    "./extensions/ask-question.ts"
  ]
}

Security note

Pi packages can execute code and influence agent behavior. Review the source before installing third-party packages.

README

`@hcflabs/pi-ask-question`

Pause Pi until the user selects a question option with the keyboard or enters a custom answer. Agents and extensions get an explicit answer without parsing free-form chat.

Pi asking the user to choose a database

Install

pi install npm:@hcflabs/pi-ask-question

Use

Call ask_question in an interactive TUI with a question and one to three options in preference order. Pi waits for the selected option or custom answer.

Surface	Type	Purpose
`ask_question`	tool	For agents: pause execution to get one user answer.

{
  "question": "Which database should we use?",
  "options": [
    { "label": "PostgreSQL", "description": "Shared server database" },
    { "label": "SQLite", "description": "Local, embedded storage" },
    { "label": "File", "description": "Plain file storage" }
  ]
}

The UI marks the first option (Recommended) and adds Something else. for custom text input. Descriptions are optional.

While a question is open, the tool publishes herdr:blocked with Input required. Completion, cancellation, or failure clears the status.

API

Import from the package root, @hcflabs/pi-ask-question.

Surface	Type	Purpose
`askQuestion(params, ctx, signal)`	function	Runs the validated question flow for another extension.
`AskQuestionOption`	type	Describes a question option.
`AskQuestionRequest`	type	Describes a question request.
`AskQuestionResult`	type	Describes the flow result.

The answer is null for cancellation, empty custom input, invalid requests, or non-TUI calls. Invalid requests and non-TUI calls also include error.

Limits and recovery

Questions and option labels must not be blank. Labels must be unique, without regard to case. Something else. is reserved for the custom answer option.

Non-interactive calls return UI not available (running in non-interactive mode). Ask in plain assistant text instead. Aborting the tool closes the pending question.