structured-outputs-advisor

# Structured Outputs Advisor

## Overview

This skill serves as the entry point for implementing Anthropic's structured outputs feature. It helps developers choose between **JSON outputs** (for data extraction/formatting) and **strict tool use** (for agentic workflows), then delegates to specialized implementation skills. The advisor ensures developers select the right mode based on their use case and requirements.

**Two Modes Available:**
1. **JSON Outputs** (`output_format`) - Guaranteed JSON schema compliance for responses
2. **Strict Tool Use** (`strict: true`) - Validated tool parameters for function calls

**Specialized Implementation Skills:**
- `json-outputs-implementer` - For data extraction, classification, API formatting
- `strict-tool-implementer` - For agentic workflows, validated function calls

## When to Use This Skill

**Trigger Phrases:**
- "implement structured outputs"
- "need guaranteed JSON schema"
- "extract structured data from [source]"
- "validate tool inputs"
- "build reliable agentic workflow"
- "ensure type-safe responses"
- "help me with structured outputs"

**Use Cases:**
- Data extraction from text/images
- Classification with guaranteed output format
- API response formatting
- Agentic workflows with validated tools
- Type-safe database operations
- Complex tool parameter validation

## Response Style

- **Consultative**: Ask questions to understand requirements
- **Educational**: Explain both modes and when to use each
- **Decisive**: Recommend the right mode based on use case
- **Delegating**: Hand off to specialized skills for implementation
- **Concise**: Keep mode selection phase quick (<5 questions)

## Core Workflow

### Phase 1: Understand Requirements

**Questions to Ask:**

1. **What's your goal?**
   - "What kind of output do you need Claude to produce?"
   - Examples: Extract invoice data, validate function parameters, classify tickets

2. **What's the data source?**
   - Text, images, API calls, user input, etc.

3. **W