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rp-why

Load when reflecting on AI collaboration quality or tracking growth over time. Analyzes session history to surface how deeply you think with AI tools and whether your orchestration sophistication matches your cognitive depth. Provides actionable nudges to push toward more strategic work.

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rp-why: Three Dimensions of AI Collaboration

Overview

The rp-why skill is a self-reflection framework that helps AI practitioners measure and improve their collaboration practice. It tracks three dimensions:

  • DOK (Depth of Knowledge) - Cognitive complexity of human prompts, scored 1.0-4.0 using Webb's framework. "Adjusted" accounts for compression of intent.
  • TM (Tool Maturity) - Intentional orchestration of AI tools, tracked through the Orchestra Model (Tiers 1-6).
  • ADT (Agentic Delegation Trust) - The relationship between tool sophistication and cognitive depth. Derived from the TM x DOK matrix.

The intersection of these dimensions produces diagnostic zones that reveal the health of the collaboration practice.


How to Use This Skill

Installation

npx skills add https://github.com/block/agent-skills --skill rp-why

Available Commands

CommandWhat It Does
/rp-why initGenerate a baseline from your session history
/rp-why baselineSame as init
/rp-why currentAnalyze the current session
/rp-why compareCompare current session to your baseline
/rp-why overallFull longitudinal analysis across all sessions
/rp-why token-spendDaily token spend breakdown across all sessions

Alternative: Natural Language

You can also ask naturally:

You: Analyze my AI collaboration patterns
You: What's my DOK distribution for this session?
You: How does this session compare to my baseline?
You: Give me the full rp-why longitudinal report

When to Use

  • First time: Run /rp-why init (or /rp-why baseline) to establish your starting point
  • End of session: Run /rp-why current to reflect on your work
  • Weekly: Run /rp-why compare to track progress against baseline
  • Monthly: Run /rp-why overall for the full growth picture

The Three Dimensions

Dimension 1: DOK (Depth of Knowledge)

Measures the cognitive complexity of human prompts. Scored 1.0-4.0 using Webb's Depth of Knowledge framework.

LevelNameDescriptionPrompt Indicators
1Recall & ReproductionSimple factual prompts"What is X?" "Show me the syntax for Y"
2Application of Skills & ConceptsApplying learned skills to solve a problem"Build this component" "Fix this error using pattern X"
3Strategic ThinkingReasoning across multiple concepts to plan, analyze, or design"Design a system..." "Analyze trade-offs..." "What if..."
4Extended ThinkingCreating something entirely new - frameworks, cross-disciplinary synthesis"Research and synthesize..." "Create a framework..."

Adjusted DOK accounts for compression of intent - when short prompts carry complex meaning due to established context. A compressed "proceed" that triggers a multi-step architectural deployment is not DOK 1.

DOK 3+4 % is the primary growth signal. It measures what proportion of your work operates at strategic or extended thinking levels.

Compression % tracks how often short directives carry complex intent. Compression emerges as trust deepens between practitioner and agent.

Dimension 2: TM (Tool Maturity) - Orchestra Model

Measures intentional orchestration - how deliberately you coordinate AI tools, agents, and workflows. Only counts actions the user deliberately initiated.

TierNameDescription
1SoloHuman works alone. AI reviews after.
2DuetBack-and-forth conversation. Human prompts, AI responds, human edits.
3EnsembleHuman provides meaningful body of work. Evaluates holistically.
4ChamberHuman delegates work streams. Sub-agents introduced. Orchestration required.
5SymphonyMultiple AI interactions coordinated toward unified goal. Minimal intervention.
6VirtuosoFlow state. Human and AI synthesized. Optimal DOK, ADT, and TM.

Dimension 3: ADT (Agentic Delegation Trust) - Diagnostic Zones

Measures the gap between Tool Complexity and Human Cognitive Depth. The TM x DOK matrix produces six zones:

ZoneDescriptionSignal
FrontierTM and DOK matched and growing togetherOperating at the productive edge
GrowingApproaching a match between tool sophistication and cognitive depthBuilding toward effective use
ExpectedTool usage and cognitive depth appropriate for current levelHealthy starting position
Thinking AheadCognitive depth exceeds tool sophisticationOpportunity to adopt more powerful orchestration
UnderutilizingTool sophistication exceeds cognitive depthOpportunity to deepen the questions being asked
OverpoweredSignificant mismatch between tool complexity and task depthResources spent without proportional cognitive return

Diagnostic Zone Matrix

DOK 1         DOK 2          DOK 3           DOK 4
            (Recall)    (Application)  (Strategic)     (Extended)
           +-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
Tier 5-6   | Overpowered| Underutil-  |  Frontier   |  Frontier   |
(Symphony/ |            |   izing     |             |             |
 Virtuoso) |            |             |             |             |
           +-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
Tier 3-4   | Overpowered|  Expected   |   Growing   |  Frontier   |
(Ensemble/ |            |             |             |             |
 Chamber)  |            |             |             |             |
           +-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
Tier 1-2   |  Expected  |   Growing   |  Thinking   |  Thinking   |
(Solo/     |            |             |   Ahead     |   Ahead     |
 Duet)     |            |             |             |             |
           +-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+

Report Formats

/rp-why init or /rp-why baseline

Establishes the starting point. Analyzes all available session history.

Report structure:

+==================================================================+
|                    rp-why . BASELINE                             |
+==================================================================+

DATA SUMMARY
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Period:           [start] - [end] ([N] days)
Sessions:         [N]
Prompts:          [N] classified

THREE DIMENSIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DOK (Depth of Knowledge)     [score]
TM  (Tool Maturity)          Tier [N] . [Name]
ADT (Delegation Trust)       [Zone]

DIAGNOSTIC ZONE: [Zone Name]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[Zone description from the six-zone model]

DOK DISTRIBUTION
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DOK 1 (Recall):       [bar]  [%]
DOK 2 (Application):  [bar]  [%]
DOK 3 (Strategic):    [bar]  [%]
DOK 4 (Extended):     [bar]  [%]

DOK 3+4:  [%]
Compression:  [%]

GROWTH TARGETS
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DOK 3+4 target:       [%]
Compression target:   [%]
Next TM tier:         Tier [N] . [Name] ([what it means])

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseline saved to: ~/.config/goose/rp-why-baseline.json
Run /rp-why current after sessions to track progress.

/rp-why current

Analyzes the active session. The quick-check mirror.

Report structure:

+==================================================================+
|                    rp-why . CURRENT SESSION                      |
+==================================================================+

SESSION SNAPSHOT
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:             [date]
Conversations:    [N]
Prompts:          [N] classified

THREE DIMENSIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DOK (Adjusted)       [score]
TM  (Tool Maturity)  Tier [N] . [Name]
ADT (Delegation)     [Zone]

DIAGNOSTIC ZONE: [Zone Name]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[Zone description]

DOK DISTRIBUTION
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DOK 1 (Recall):       [bar]  [%]
DOK 2 (Application):  [bar]  [%]
DOK 3 (Strategic):    [bar]  [%]
DOK 4 (Extended):     [bar]  [%]

DOK 3+4:  [%]     Compression:  [%]

PEAK MOMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"[highest DOK prompt text, truncated]"  - DOK [N] . [Level Name]

GROWTH NUDGE
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[Contextual nudge based on diagnostic zone, not generic]

> [Reflection question tailored to current zone]

/rp-why compare

Delta report. Shows movement from baseline to now.

Report structure:

+==================================================================+
|                    rp-why . COMPARE                              |
+==================================================================+

COMPARING: Today ([date]) vs. Baseline ([baseline period])

THREE DIMENSIONS                    Baseline        Today        Delta
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DOK (Adjusted)                      [score]         [score]    [+/-%]
TM  (Tool Maturity)                 Tier [N]        Tier [N]   [+/-N]
ADT (Delegation Trust)              [Zone]          [Zone]     [arrow]

DIAGNOSTIC ZONE: [Baseline Zone] -> [Current Zone]
--------------------------------------------------------------------

DOK DISTRIBUTION                    Baseline        Today        Delta
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DOK 1 (Recall)                      [%]             [%]       [+/-pp]
DOK 2 (Application)                 [%]             [%]       [+/-pp]
DOK 3 (Strategic)                   [%]             [%]       [+/-pp]
DOK 4 (Extended)                    [%]             [%]       [+/-pp]

DOK 3+4                             [%]             [%]       [+/-pp]
Compression                         [%]             [%]       [+/-pp or "emerged"]

TRAJECTORY
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Direction:  [arrow] [Improving/Stable/Declining]
Signal:     [1-2 sentence interpretation of what the delta means]

WHAT SHIFTED
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* [Bullet interpretations of the most meaningful changes]
* [Focus on what the numbers mean for the collaboration practice]
* [Connect to diagnostic zone movement]

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Run /rp-why overall for full longitudinal analysis.

/rp-why overall

Full longitudinal report. The complete growth picture.

Report structure:

+==================================================================+
|                    rp-why . OVERALL                              |
+==================================================================+

FULL DATASET: [start] - [end] ([N] days)
Sessions: [N]  |  Prompts: [N]  |  Conversations: [N]

CURRENT STANDINGS
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DOK (Adjusted, full mean)    [score]
TM  (Tool Maturity)          Tier [N] . [Name]
ADT (Delegation Trust)       [Zone]

DOK 3+4:  [%]     Compression:  [%]     Floor:  [score]

ROLLING AVERAGE (Last 10 Sessions vs. First 10)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
                             First 10        Last 10          Delta
Adjusted DOK                 [score]         [score]        [+/-%]
DOK 3+4 %                   [%]             [%]           [+/-pp]
Compression %                [%]             [%]           [emerged/+/-pp]

PHASE ANALYSIS
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Phase         Dates              Sessions  DOK    DOK3+4  Comp   TM
-----         -----              --------  ---    ------  ----   --
[Auto-detected phases based on DOK trajectory shifts]

TRAJECTORY
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Peak DOK:     [score] ([date]  - [context])
Floor:        [score] ([interpretation])
Direction:    [arrow] [Narrative of the growth arc]

DOK DISTRIBUTION (Full Dataset)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DOK 1 (Recall):       [bar]  [%]
DOK 2 (Application):  [bar]  [%]
DOK 3 (Strategic):    [bar]  [%]
DOK 4 (Extended):     [bar]  [%]

GROWTH STORY
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2-3 sentence narrative interpreting the full arc. Not prescriptive.
Describes what the data reveals about how the collaboration practice
has evolved.]

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Data source: ~/.local/share/goose/sessions/sessions.db
Methodology: DOK keyword classification, compression detection
(short prompt + high response ratio + established context),
adjusted DOK (+1 level for compressed prompts, capped at 4).

Backward Compatibility

Reading Previous Baselines

If an existing baseline file uses the v3 format (Gas Town stages, quadrant terminology), the skill translates automatically:

v3 Fieldv4 Equivalent
estimated_stage: 5tm_tier: 3 (Ensemble) - Stage 5 maps to Tier 3 for new users
quadrant: "Underutilizing"adt_zone: "Underutilizing" (zone name preserved)
quadrant: "Frontier"adt_zone: "Frontier"
quadrant: "Thinking Ahead"adt_zone: "Thinking Ahead"
quadrant: "Learning Zone"adt_zone: "Expected"
average_dok_scoredok_adjusted (treated as raw if no compression data)
growth_targets.dok_targetgrowth_targets.dok_3_4_pct

Gas Town to Orchestra Mapping

For users familiar with the Gas Town stages:

Gas Town StageOrchestra TierName
1-2 (Observer/Curious)Tier 1Solo
3 (Copilot)Tier 2Duet
4 (Chat IDE)Tier 3Ensemble
5 (CLI Agent)Tier 4Chamber
6 (Multi-Agent)Tier 5Symphony
7-8 (Agentic/Full)Tier 6Virtuoso

Metrics Reference

MetricWhat It MeasuresRangeGrowth Signal
DOK (Adjusted)Cognitive complexity of prompts, accounting for compression1.0 - 4.0Rising mean
DOK 3+4 %Proportion of strategic/extended thinking0 - 100%Increasing
Compression %Short directives carrying complex intent0 - 100%Emerging, then growing
FloorLowest DOK on routine days1.0 - 4.0Rising (baseline becomes unreproducible)
TM TierOrchestra Model tier1 - 6Advancing
ADT ZoneDiagnostic zone from TM x DOK6 zonesMoving toward Frontier

Growth Nudges by Zone

Frontier

  • "Operating at the productive edge. Document what works for others."
  • "The collaboration is matched. Look for opportunities to extend into new domains."

Growing

  • "Approaching a match. Keep pushing DOK 3+ work and the zone will shift."
  • "Consider: what's one workflow you could delegate more fully?"

Expected

  • "Healthy starting position. Growth comes from asking 'why' before implementing."
  • "Try framing one task as a design decision rather than an execution request."

Thinking Ahead

  • "Cognitive depth exceeds tool sophistication. Time to adopt more powerful orchestration."
  • "Your thinking is ready for Tier [N+1]. Explore sub-agents or multi-step delegation."

Underutilizing

  • "Powerful tools deserve powerful questions. Before each prompt: can this be more strategic?"
  • "Batch simple queries. Reserve the agent for work that requires reasoning."

Overpowered

  • "Significant mismatch. Consider whether this task needs an autonomous agent."
  • "Opportunity: redirect this tool toward a problem that requires analysis or design."

Attribution

  • Depth of Knowledge (DOK): Norman Webb (1997). Webb, N. L. Criteria for alignment of expectations and assessments in mathematics and science education.
  • Orchestra Model (TM): Dakota Fabro (2026). Measuring Cognitive Complexity in Human-AI Collaboration.
  • Three Dimensions Framework: Dakota Fabro (2026). rp-why longitudinal dataset, Block Builder Fellowship.
  • Gas Town Stages (v1-v3 foundation): Steve Yegge, "Welcome to Gas Town" (January 2026).

Version History

VersionDateChanges
4.02026-06Three Dimensions model (DOK + TM + ADT), Orchestra Tiers, diagnostic zones, compression tracking, /rp-why baseline alias, /rp-why overall report, phase analysis, backward compatibility with v3 baselines
3.02026-02Quadrant visualization, growth nudges, reflection prompts
2.x2026-01Integration matrix, target profiles, baseline comparison
1.x2025-12Initial Gas Town stages, basic DOK tracking
Repository
block/agent-skills
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