# Response patterns

Neo may return several kinds of results. Recognizing the pattern helps you know what happened and what to do next.

## Answer

A direct explanation, summary, or recommendation in the conversation. For important claims, ask for evidence, assumptions, and the applicable date.

## Clarification

A question needed to avoid a material wrong assumption. Answer directly, narrow the scope, or authorize a stated reasonable assumption.

## Plan

Ordered steps, dependencies, boundaries, and checkpoints. A plan describes proposed work; it is not evidence that execution occurred.

## Research brief

Synthesized findings with sources, cutoff date, disagreement, and uncertainty. Open key citations and verify they support the claims.

## Draft

Content prepared for review, such as an email, report, or announcement. A draft has not been sent or published unless an external action is separately confirmed.

## Artifact

A file or structured deliverable. Check its location, format, contents, and validation. Successful creation does not guarantee correctness.

## Tool result

Information retrieved or an action status returned by a tool or connected service. Read warnings and distinguish partial, submitted, and completed states.

## Progress update

A checkpoint during long-running work. It should identify completed steps, blockers, changed assumptions, outputs, and next actions.

## Completion summary

A concise record of deliverables, changes, validation, unresolved questions, and remaining actions. Compare it with the actual artifacts and original acceptance criteria.

## Useful structure for consequential work

Ask Neo to separate:

1. confirmed facts;
2. interpretations;
3. assumptions;
4. decisions or recommendations;
5. unresolved questions;
6. completed actions;
7. next actions.

This structure makes uncertainty and responsibility easier to review.