diff --git a/.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md b/.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md
index 5017427..d7bc635 100644
--- a/.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md
+++ b/.cursor/rules/story-kickoff.md
@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@ alwaysApply: true
 
 When the user starts work on a **Linear issue** (e.g. issue key `NEO-5`, phrases like “begin work on story”, “implement NEO-…”), run this sequence **before** writing or changing application code.
 
+## Clarifications (ask the user)
+
+- During kickoff and while drafting the plan, **ask the user** about anything **unclear**, **underspecified**, or that **needs a decision** (scope, behavior, acceptance criteria, priorities, trade-offs, or what is out of scope). Do not guess or pick silent defaults when the issue, Linear notes, or repo context do not settle it.
+- Use **concrete questions**, often with short options when helpful; group related questions so the user can answer in one pass.
+
 ## 1. Load Linear context
 
 - Fetch the issue when possible (Linear MCP `get_issue` / `list_issues`, server **`plugin-linear-linear`**), or use a URL / pasted description the user provides.