Pattern
Need → Clarify → Search → Validate → [Found? Deliver : Expand]
Keep searching until found or exhausted. Start narrow, expand progressively. Validate before delivering.
When to Use
- User needs to find something specific
- Location or source is unknown
- "Find me...", "Where can I get...", "I need to find..."
Not for: Things you already know, simple lookups, browsing.
Setup
Before searching, clarify:
| Element | Why |
|---|---|
| What exactly? | Avoid finding wrong thing |
| Success criteria | How will we know it's right? |
| Constraints | Budget, location, time, format |
| Already tried? | Don't repeat failed paths |
If user is vague → ask ONE clarifying question, then start.
Search Expansion
Start narrow, expand if not found:
1. Obvious sources → Direct lookup, known locations
2. Specialized sources → Domain-specific databases, expert communities
3. Alternative queries → Different words, related concepts
4. Indirect paths → Who would know? What links to this?
5. Ask human → More context, different angle
Each expansion: try multiple sources in parallel when possible.
Validation
Before delivering, verify:
- Is this actually what was asked for?
- Is the source reliable?
- Is it current/valid?
- Any caveats user should know?
If uncertain → say so. "Found X but not 100% sure it's what you need."
Delivery
FOUND: [what]
WHERE: [source]
CONFIDENCE: [high/medium/low]
CAVEATS: [if any]
If multiple results: summarize and let user choose.
Not Found
If exhausted all paths:
- Report what was tried
- Closest alternatives found
- Suggest different approach or more context needed
Related: For iterating until success criteria are met, see loop. For multi-phase workflows, see cycle.