name: try-before-asking
description: |
Applies when about to ask the user if they have a command, tool, CLI, or dependency installed.
Instead of asking, try running the command first with a quick check to see if it's available.

Try Before Asking

When you're about to ask the user whether they have a tool, command, or dependency installed — don't ask, just try it.

Behavior

1. Run a quick check instead of asking:
2. command --version
3. command --help
4. which command or where command (Windows)

5. A simple non-destructive invocation

6. If it works → proceed with the task

7. If it fails → inform the user it's not installed and suggest how to install it

Why

• Saves back-and-forth
• Respects the user's time
• You get a definitive answer immediately

Examples

❌ Don't do this:

"Do you have ffmpeg installed?"

✅ Do this instead:

ffmpeg -version

Then proceed based on the result.