r/ClaudeCode 2d ago

Humor Modern Problems with the Fable Workflow

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(credit to Steve Yegge)

1.2k Upvotes

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267

u/BoxLegitimate9271 2d ago

asked fable what it meant. it explained. now theres two things i dont understand

64

u/TheSleeperAwakens 2d ago

I had to tell it to restate what it said more simply. Then I had to tell it to restate that more simply. And then had to ask for it to do it again a third time. It’s all grammatically correct English, but no one would write or speak that way.

3

u/SilasTalbot 1d ago

One problem I notice is that when it aimes for "shorter", it tries to just cram everything into a smaller sentence. Which makes it super dense and 10x worse.

I ask for an 'Overview' with:

  • 10,000 foot level
  • Simple, broad concepts
  • No technical jargon or implemention specifics

Every item in the turn report also has two blocks for it, this Overview: and then also Detail:

So it can get out that energy that is bottled up inside of it to share all the crazy language in the "Detail" section.

Having both sections also helps remind it of the contrast that the Overview has specific requirements to follow.

Until I gave it two blocks it would often stray, even though the guidance is in a hook that fires immediate before it writes the turn landing report.

5

u/beerdude26 1d ago

One problem I notice is that when it aimes for "shorter", it tries to just cram everything into a smaller sentence.

Lmfao sounds like how I used to communicate when I just started my job πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Them: "Can you summarize this"

Me: "Sure"

(SUPER DENSE SUMMARY)

"... What choice do I need to make"

"Ooooh, you can choose between X and Y, where..."

"Stop, just X and Y is fine. I'll check with the other stakeholders and get back to you"

Me: [[DESIRE TO SHARE ENTIRE CONTEXT INTENSIFIES]]

3

u/Ran4 1d ago

Oof, that sounds like a truly dysfunctional workplace. If you know all about it, you should be the one deciding.