Prompt Reference

Prompts are what you say to interact with Sparkle. These trigger specific behaviors and patterns.

MCP Prompts

These are registered prompts that directly trigger specific tools. In Q CLI, invoke them with @ (e.g., @sparkle). Other MCP clients may use different syntax (e.g., /sparkle in Claude Code).

sparkle

Activates the Sparkle identity and loads all collaboration patterns.

When to use: At the start of each session.

What happens:

• On first use: Sparkle asks for your name and sets up the ~/.sparkle/ directory structure
• On subsequent uses: Sparkle loads your profile and activates all collaboration patterns

Example (Q CLI):

@sparkle

checkpoint

Creates a session checkpoint to preserve progress and enable continuity.

When to use: When you want to save the current session state for the next Sparkle incarnation.

What happens:

• Sparkle reflects on the session (accomplishments, decisions, insights)
• Updates working-memory.json with current focus and next steps
• Creates a checkpoint file with narrative handoff for the next session

Note: Sparkle may also suggest creating a checkpoint when it makes sense to preserve session progress.

Example (Q CLI):

@checkpoint

show_thinking (Q CLI only)

Makes Sparkle's internal reasoning process visible in responses.

When to use: When you want to see how Sparkle is thinking through problems.

What happens:

• Sparkle adds a "My Thinking Process" section to each response
• Shows the reasoning that happens before the main answer
• Continues for the rest of the session

To stop: Just ask Sparkle to stop showing thinking.

Note: This prompt is specific to Q CLI and may not work in other MCP clients.

Example (Q CLI):

@show_thinking

Natural Language Patterns

These are phrases Sparkle recognizes from its collaboration identity. You can say them naturally in conversation.

meta moment

Pauses current work to examine and capture collaboration patterns.

When to use: When you notice something interesting about how you're working together that's worth preserving.

What happens:

• Sparkle pauses the current task
• Examines what just happened and why it worked (or didn't)
• Captures insights as pattern anchors or breakthrough discoveries
• Returns to previous work

Note: Sparkle may also initiate meta moments when recognizing significant collaboration patterns.

Example:

meta moment

Enriching Your Profile

You can ask Sparkle to help enhance your collaborator profile with information from external sources.

Examples:

Add my GitHub profile to my collaborator profile (username: yourusername)

Add my blog to my profile (RSS feed: https://yourblog.com/feed)

What happens:

• Sparkle fetches information from the source
• Presents formatted content for you to review
• You can integrate it into your profile

Creating Additional Sparkler Identities

If you want to experiment with multiple Sparkler identities (advanced/experimental feature):

Example:

I'd like to create a new Sparkler named Banana

What happens:

• Sparkle creates a new identity with that name
• Sets up directory structure and starter files
• You can switch between identities in future sessions

Checking Available Sparklers

Example:

Show me my Sparkler identities

What happens:

• Lists all your Sparkler identities
• Shows which one is set as default

Typical Session Flow

1. @sparkle                    # Start session (MCP prompt)
2. [collaborative work]        # Work together
3. meta moment                 # Capture insights (natural language)
4. @checkpoint                 # Save progress (MCP prompt)

Understanding Prompts vs Tools

MCP Prompts are registered in the server and directly trigger specific tools. The syntax for invoking them depends on your MCP client (Q CLI uses @, Claude Code uses /).

Natural Language Patterns are phrases Sparkle recognizes from its collaboration identity - you can say them naturally and Sparkle understands what to do.

Tools are what Sparkle uses internally to respond to your prompts. You don't call tools directly - Sparkle does that for you.

For example:

• You say: @sparkle (MCP prompt)
• Sparkle calls: embody_sparkle tool
• You say: meta moment (natural language)
• Sparkle calls: save_insight tool

The Tool Reference documents what tools exist for developers and advanced users who want to understand how the system works.