Immutable. This exact content is served forever at /api/v1/blob/75f6df5584feaa67.
---
name: querying-council
description: Executes council queries by running the query pipeline across selected AI providers (Gemini, OpenAI, Grok, Perplexity), displaying formatted responses verbatim, and generating a synthesis of consensus, divergence, and recommendations. Invoked by the ask command during standard (non-agent) council queries.
---
# Council Query Execution
## Step 1: Run Query and Save to File
```bash
bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/run-council.sh --providers=gemini,openai -- "Your question"
```
This outputs the path to the saved file (e.g., `.claude/council-cache/council-1734567890.md`).
**Flag syntax**: Use `=` with no spaces: `--providers=gemini,openai`
**CRITICAL**: Always place `--` before the prompt to prevent prompt text containing dashes from being parsed as flags.
## Step 2: Read and Display the Output VERBATIM
Use the **Read tool** to read the output file path returned by Step 1.
**CRITICAL**: Display the file content EXACTLY as written. Do NOT:
- Reformat or reinterpret any text
- Add your own headers or structure
- Summarize or abbreviate responses
- Skip any lines including separator lines (`---`)
Simply copy-paste the entire file content into your response.
## Step 3: Complete the Synthesis Section
The file ends with a `## Synthesis` header. Write your synthesis UNDER that header:
- **Consensus**: Where providers agree
- **Divergence**: Where they disagree
- **Recommendation**: Best approach
## Step 4: Notify User of Saved Output
After displaying the synthesis, tell the user:
> ---
> (use this emoji 💾) Full output saved to `.claude/council-cache/council-TIMESTAMP.md` (use the actual filename)
This lets them review the complete responses later.
## Output Format: Provider Names
The output file uses emoji prefixes to visually distinguish providers.
Preserve this format when displaying results:
| Provider | Prefix |
|----------|--------|
| Gemini | 🟦 Gemini |
| OpenAI | 🔳 OpenAI |
| Grok | 🟥 Grok |
| Perplexity | 🟩 Perplexity |