Imported from AIoT-MLSys-Lab/SkillEvolBench (benchmark/skills/context-aware-reply-drafting/SKILL.md). Install upstream with npx skills add AIoT-MLSys-Lab/SkillEvolBench --skill context-aware-reply-drafting. Copyright stays with the author.

Context-Aware Reply Drafting

Use this workflow when an email reply needs to reflect what has already been said in a short business thread. The goal is to read the thread, identify what the latest email needs, draft a concise reply, reference the right prior context, and keep the tone aligned with the sender.

Scope: professional reply drafting for standard business email threads of 3-5 messages.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• the user wants help replying to an email thread
• the reply needs to acknowledge prior discussion
• the latest email contains one or more questions or requests
• the result should sound professional and thread-aware

Reply Workflow

Follow these five steps.

Step 1 — Read the Entire Thread

Read the thread from oldest to newest before drafting the reply.

While reading, note:

• what has already been discussed
• any decisions or agreements already made
• open questions that still need a response

The reply should reflect the thread, not just the latest message in isolation.

Step 2 — Identify the Main Request in the Latest Email

Focus on the newest message and determine what it needs from the reply.

Common cases:

• a direct question
• a request for action
• several separate questions
• a follow-up on an earlier agreement

If the sender asked multiple things, list them first so the reply addresses all of them.

Step 3 — Draft a Direct Reply

Write a reply that answers the latest request clearly and efficiently.

Good structure:

• brief acknowledgment
• direct answer or response
• any next step if needed

Keep the reply concise. Do not restate the whole thread.

Step 4 — Reference Relevant Prior Context

Bring in earlier context only when it helps the reply make sense.

Good examples:

• As discussed in your January 10 email...
• Following up on the agreement to...
• As you noted earlier in the thread...

You can also quote a short relevant fragment from a previous email when needed, but keep it brief.

Use prior context to:

• anchor the reply to the right part of the thread
• remind the reader of an earlier agreement or question
• connect the answer to what was already discussed

Step 5 — Match the Tone and Check Completeness

Before finalizing, review the tone and coverage.

Check:

• does the reply match the formality of the sender
• does it answer every question raised in the latest message
• is it concise rather than repeating the thread

The finished reply should sound professional, context-aware, and easy to send as written.

Basic Implementation Pattern

def draft_reply(latest_request, prior_context, tone):
    opening = reference_context(prior_context)
    body = answer_request(latest_request)
    closing = choose_closing(tone)
    return f"{opening}\n\n{body}\n\n{closing}"

Practical Rules

Read the Whole Short Thread First

For a 3-5 message thread, reading everything is usually the safest way to avoid missing context.

Answer the Latest Email Directly

The reply should solve the sender's current need, not just summarize the conversation.

Reference Prior Context Selectively

Use earlier emails to anchor the reply, but do not overload the message with repeated history.

Keep Replies Concise

A good reply should move the thread forward without rehashing every previous message.

Cover Every Question

If the sender asked multiple things, make sure none of them gets lost in the draft.

Common Pitfalls

• replying only to the latest sentence without reading earlier context
• repeating the entire thread instead of answering the current request
• mentioning prior context too vaguely
• missing one of several questions in the latest email
• using a tone that does not match the sender's level of formality

When NOT to Use

• the task is to analyze the thread rather than draft a reply
• the user wants a brand-new outbound email rather than a response
• the exchange is not a standard professional email thread

Quick Summary

1. Read the full thread
2. Identify the latest question or request
3. Draft a direct reply
4. Reference relevant prior context briefly
5. Match the sender's tone and verify all questions were answered