Files
AutoGPT/autogpt_platform/backend/backend/copilot/tools/ask_question.py
Zamil Majdy 6b031085bd feat(platform): add generic ask_question copilot tool (#12647)
### Why / What / How

**Why:** The copilot can ask clarifying questions in plain text, but
that text gets collapsed into hidden "reasoning" UI when the LLM also
calls tools in the same turn. This makes clarification questions
invisible to users. The existing `ClarificationNeededResponse` model and
`ClarificationQuestionsCard` UI component were built for this purpose
but had no tool wiring them up.

**What:** Adds a generic `ask_question` tool that produces a visible,
interactive clarification card instead of collapsible plain text. Unlike
the agent-generation-specific `clarify_agent_request` proposed in
#12601, this tool is workflow-agnostic — usable for agent building,
editing, troubleshooting, or any flow needing user input.

**How:** 
- Backend: New `AskQuestionTool` reuses existing
`ClarificationNeededResponse` model. Registered in `TOOL_REGISTRY` and
`ToolName` permissions.
- Frontend: New `AskQuestion/` renderer reuses
`ClarificationQuestionsCard` from CreateAgent. Registered in
`CUSTOM_TOOL_TYPES` (prevents collapse into reasoning) and
`MessagePartRenderer`.
- Guide: `agent_generation_guide.md` updated to reference `ask_question`
for the clarification step.

### Changes 🏗️

- **`copilot/tools/ask_question.py`** — New generic tool: takes
`question`, optional `options[]` and `keyword`, returns
`ClarificationNeededResponse`
- **`copilot/tools/__init__.py`** — Register `ask_question` in
`TOOL_REGISTRY`
- **`copilot/permissions.py`** — Add `ask_question` to `ToolName`
literal
- **`copilot/sdk/agent_generation_guide.md`** — Reference `ask_question`
tool in clarification step
- **`ChatMessagesContainer/helpers.ts`** — Add `tool-ask_question` to
`CUSTOM_TOOL_TYPES`
- **`MessagePartRenderer.tsx`** — Add switch case for
`tool-ask_question`
- **`AskQuestion/AskQuestion.tsx`** — Renderer reusing
`ClarificationQuestionsCard`
- **`AskQuestion/helpers.ts`** — Output parsing and animation text

### Checklist 📋

#### For code changes:
- [x] I have clearly listed my changes in the PR description
- [x] I have made a test plan
- [x] I have tested my changes according to the test plan:
  - [x] Backend format + pyright pass
  - [x] Frontend lint + types pass
  - [x] Pre-commit hooks pass
- [ ] Manual test: copilot uses `ask_question` and card renders visibly
(not collapsed)
2026-04-02 12:56:48 +00:00

94 lines
3.2 KiB
Python

"""AskQuestionTool - Ask the user a clarifying question before proceeding."""
from typing import Any
from backend.copilot.model import ChatSession
from .base import BaseTool
from .models import ClarificationNeededResponse, ClarifyingQuestion, ToolResponseBase
class AskQuestionTool(BaseTool):
"""Ask the user a clarifying question and wait for their answer.
Use this tool when the user's request is ambiguous and you need more
information before proceeding. Call find_block or other discovery tools
first to ground your question in real platform options, then call this
tool with a concrete question listing those options.
"""
@property
def name(self) -> str:
return "ask_question"
@property
def description(self) -> str:
return (
"Ask the user a clarifying question. Use when the request is "
"ambiguous and you need to confirm intent, choose between options, "
"or gather missing details before proceeding."
)
@property
def parameters(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
return {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"question": {
"type": "string",
"description": (
"The concrete question to ask the user. Should list "
"real options when applicable."
),
},
"options": {
"type": "array",
"items": {"type": "string"},
"description": (
"Options for the user to choose from "
"(e.g. ['Email', 'Slack', 'Google Docs'])."
),
},
"keyword": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Short label identifying what the question is about.",
},
},
"required": ["question"],
}
@property
def requires_auth(self) -> bool:
return False
async def _execute(
self,
user_id: str | None,
session: ChatSession,
**kwargs: Any,
) -> ToolResponseBase:
del user_id # unused; required by BaseTool contract
question_raw = kwargs.get("question")
if not isinstance(question_raw, str) or not question_raw.strip():
raise ValueError("ask_question requires a non-empty 'question' string")
question = question_raw.strip()
raw_options = kwargs.get("options", [])
if not isinstance(raw_options, list):
raw_options = []
options: list[str] = [str(o) for o in raw_options if o]
raw_keyword = kwargs.get("keyword", "")
keyword: str = str(raw_keyword) if raw_keyword else ""
session_id = session.session_id if session else None
example = ", ".join(options) if options else None
clarifying_question = ClarifyingQuestion(
question=question,
keyword=keyword,
example=example,
)
return ClarificationNeededResponse(
message=question,
session_id=session_id,
questions=[clarifying_question],
)