eli5

What it does¶

eli5 explains anything simply, in one of three modes. The first word of the arguments picks the mode, and without one the mode is eli5.

Mode	The reply
`eli5`	What the thing is, one everyday analogy, and why it matters
`adhd`	The point first, then at most three bullets, then nothing more
`wait-what`	Context, then a re-pitch of the last message in Simplified Technical English, using the terms in `GLOSSARY.md`

All three assume the reader is smart and lacks only context, time or attention. Each gives the point first in short sentences and stops, so a deeper layer arrives only when you ask for it.

When to reach for it¶

You type /eli5, /eli5 adhd or /eli5 wait-what, followed by a topic if you have one; the agent never starts it on its own. Without a topic it explains the last thing said in the conversation. ask-spp routes between every skill when the right one is unclear.

Pick the mode by what is in short supply:

You are missing	Use
A mental picture	`eli5`
Attention for the long version	`adhd`
The thread of what was just said	`wait-what`

Common questions¶

What does /eli5 do with no arguments? It runs eli5 mode on the last thing said in the conversation.

What is Simplified Technical English? ASD-STE100, a controlled style used in aircraft manuals: short active sentences, one meaning per word, and the same word every time for the same thing. wait-what uses it so a message you could not follow comes back in plain, consistent terms.

Which terms does wait-what use? Those in the repo's GLOSSARY.md, so the re-pitch uses the words the project uses. A repo with several glossaries is routed through GLOSSARY-MAP.md. A repo with no glossary gets the plainest everyday words.

Why is adhd capped at three bullets? A short answer you finish beats a thorough one you abandon. Ask for the next layer and you get it.

It's working if¶

You can act on the first sentence alone.
An eli5 reply holds a single analogy that needs no footnote.
An adhd reply is over after three bullets.
A wait-what reply sets the scene first, then speaks in the repo's own terms.