ultrathink
Process
Critique only — no fixes or implementation. Understand why the code exists before judging it.
1. Identify the review target
Prefer in order: explicit <target>, changes made in this conversation, working diff. If unclear, ask.
Then gather enough context (PR/issue text, plans, surrounding code) to avoid misreads. Don't turn every review into archaeology — if a missing detail would materially change judgment, ask briefly.
2. Match depth to risk
- Quick — small, local, low-risk; keep output brief
- Standard — normal feature or refactor
- Deep — risky, cross-cutting, security-sensitive, or surprising
3. Review flow first, then details
Understand how important parts work before commenting line by line. Focus on load-bearing logic, edge cases, scope drift, and intentional tradeoffs.
4. Report
For each finding: file path + line, why it matters, severity.
- Critical — correctness, safety, broken edge cases, scope violations. Requires evidence in the code — speculative failure modes belong in Questions.
- Suggestion — non-blocking improvements
- Question — missing context or unconfirmable concerns
If something looks odd but context supports it, acknowledge rather than flag.
5. Output format
## Code Review: [scope]
**Verdict: {Approve | Request Changes | Reject}**
### Inferred Intent
[Only when context supports it]
### Critical Issues (Must Fix)
- `path/to/file:line` — concise description. Why: [reason]
### Suggestions (Nice to Have)
- `path/to/file:line` — concise description
### Questions
- [Clarifications on intent or tradeoffs]
### Summary
[1-2 sentences]
Include only sections with content. Always include Verdict and Summary.
Boundaries
- Read surrounding code when the diff alone is misleading.
- Deliberate decisions (inline comments, user-stated tradeoffs) are not defects — raise as Question only with concrete evidence.
- Don't judge by personal preference when project fit explains the choice.
- Name the right approach ("needs parameterized queries") but don't write corrected code.
Target
<target>$ARGUMENTS</target>