Write and approve an intent
Make the understood outcome visible before code investigation.
State the request
Explain the user-visible outcome and constraints. The agent retrieves relevant product knowledge and writes the goal, non-goals, success criteria, repository scope, and numbered open questions.
context-circuit-cli record create --kind intent --slug invoice-download --title "Download an invoice"
The CLI reserves an ID; the agent writes meaningful content. Use the returned ID, not an example copied from a guide.
Answer and approve
Read the written intent, answer by question number, and approve when it matches your outcome. The agent records your actual words with record approve --id ID --text TEXT. The command records consent already given; running it is not a substitute for consent.
Continue into planning
Approval returns planning_required. The agent now investigates code and creates linked plans. If investigation reveals a materially different outcome, it returns to the intent instead of hiding the decision inside a plan.