Socratic

Community

neurofoo

socratic

Socratic questioning to examine beliefs, uncover assumptions, and develop deeper understanding. Use to challenge thinking, evaluate proposals, or teach without lecturing.

Overview

Publisher	neurofoo
Repository	`agent-skills`
Skill name	`socratic`
Stars	123
Forks	19
Bundled files	4
License	MIT
Links	Skill source Repository

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
4 bundled files
Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.
Open source
Published by neurofoo on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Socratic AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
https://github.com/neurofoo/agent-skills/tree/main/socratic
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/neurofoo/agent-skills.git /tmp/agent-skills
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/agent-skills/socratic .claude/skills/socratic

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Socratic in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Socratic on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Socratic is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Socratic Questioning

Guide discovery through systematic questioning, helping examine a belief, decision, or idea more deeply.

Instructions

Work through multiple levels of questioning to explore the topic. The goal isn't to prove the person wrong—it's to help them (or yourself) think more clearly and deeply.

Output Format

Topic/Belief: [What we're examining]

Starting Point

The Claim/Position [Restate the belief or idea being examined]

Layer 1: Clarifying the Claim

Questions

What exactly do you mean by [key term]?
Can you give a specific example of this?
What would this look like in practice?

Reflections [What these questions reveal about the claim]

Layer 2: Probing Assumptions

Hidden Assumptions

Assumption	Question to Test It
[assumption 1]	"Is it always true that...?"
[assumption 2]	"What would need to be true for...?"

Questions

What are you taking for granted here?
Why do you think [X] leads to [Y]?
What if [assumption] weren't true?

Layer 3: Examining Evidence

Questions

What evidence supports this view?
How do you know that [claim]?
What would change your mind?
Is there any evidence against this?

Layer 4: Exploring Implications

Questions

If this is true, what else follows?
What are the consequences of believing this?
How does this apply to [edge case]?
If we're wrong about this, what's the cost?

Layer 5: Alternative Perspectives

Questions

What would someone who disagrees say?
How would [specific person/role] view this?
What's the strongest argument against?

Steel Man The best argument against this position:

[Strongest counterargument]

Synthesis

Refined Position After questioning, a more nuanced view might be:

[Refined statement]

Remaining Questions

[Question 1]
[Question 2]

Key Insight The most valuable thing this questioning revealed:

[Insight]

Guidelines

Ask, don't tell
Follow curiosity, not agenda
"I don't know" is a valuable answer
The goal is understanding, not winning
Be patient—good questions take time to answer

$ARGUMENTS

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Socratic AI skill do?

Socratic questioning to examine beliefs, uncover assumptions, and develop deeper understanding. Use to challenge thinking, evaluate proposals, or teach without lecturing.

Why use Socratic on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Socratic is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Socratic in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/neurofoo/agent-skills/tree/main/socratic. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Socratic?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Socratic?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Socratic with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Socratic AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by neurofoo under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

Socratic Questioning

Instructions

Output Format

Starting Point

Layer 1: Clarifying the Claim

Layer 2: Probing Assumptions

Layer 3: Examining Evidence

Layer 4: Exploring Implications

Layer 5: Alternative Perspectives

Synthesis

Guidelines

Bundled files

Frequently asked questions

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