---
title: "AskUserQuestion picker fallback (ORK_ASK_FALLBACK=text)"
description: "Text-prompt fallback for when the Claude Code AskUserQuestion picker stalls or otherwise refuses keystrokes."
canonical: "https://orchestkit.yonyon.ai/docs/guides/ask-fallback"
---

# AskUserQuestion picker fallback (ORK_ASK_FALLBACK=text)

Text-prompt fallback for when the Claude Code AskUserQuestion picker stalls or otherwise refuses keystrokes.

# AskUserQuestion picker fallback

## When to use this

Claude Code's `AskUserQuestion` picker can occasionally render fully but refuse to accept keystrokes — Enter / arrow keys do nothing, only `Esc` dismisses the picker. The skill that called the picker then sees `User declined to answer questions` and aborts.

This was observed in CC 2.1.139 (see [orchestkit#1795](https://github.com/yonatangross/orchestkit/issues/1795)). Suspected upstream input-handling regression; reproduction is intermittent and not yet fully characterised.

OrchestKit ships a mitigation: a `UserPromptSubmit` hook (`prompt/ask-fallback-injector`) that, when the `ORK_ASK_FALLBACK=text` environment variable is set, injects a system reminder telling the assistant to use inline numbered text prompts instead of calling `AskUserQuestion`.

## How to enable

Set the env var before starting Claude Code:

```bash
export ORK_ASK_FALLBACK=text
claude
```

Or for a single session:

```bash
ORK_ASK_FALLBACK=text claude
```

The hook checks this variable on every `UserPromptSubmit`. While set, every skill that would otherwise open a picker (33 skills today: `brainstorm`, `fix-issue`, `create-pr`, `assess`, `verify`, etc.) emits a numbered list inline and asks the user to reply with the option number.

## Example interaction

Without fallback (picker mode):

```
┌─ Which auth strategy? ─────────────────────────┐
│ ▸ JWT (stateless, no revoke)                   │
│   Session cookies (server-side store)          │
│   OAuth-only (delegate to provider)            │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
  Enter to select · ↑/↓ to navigate · Esc to cancel
```

With fallback (`ORK_ASK_FALLBACK=text`):

```
> Which auth strategy?
>   1. JWT (stateless, no revoke)
>   2. Session cookies (server-side store)
>   3. OAuth-only (delegate to provider)
> Reply with 1, 2, or 3.
```

## How to disable

Unset the variable and restart CC:

```bash
unset ORK_ASK_FALLBACK
claude
```

Restart restores picker mode. Recommended once an upstream CC fix ships.

## Implementation

- **Hook:** `src/hooks/src/prompt/ask-fallback-injector.ts`
- **Event:** `UserPromptSubmit`
- **Cost:** one env-var read per prompt, ~80-byte reminder when active, no I/O
- **Tests:** `src/hooks/src/__tests__/ask-fallback-injector.test.ts`
- **Scope:** global — applies to all 33 skills using `AskUserQuestion` without per-skill edits

## Related

- [orchestkit#1795](https://github.com/yonatangross/orchestkit/issues/1795) — original bug report
- M119 (Usage hygiene) milestone — UX behavioural mitigations
- `ORK_GOAL_MAX_TURNS_PER_SESSION` / `ORK_GOAL_MAX_TOKENS_PER_SESSION` — sibling env-var-based behavioural controls (M140)