The user initiates the encounter; the bot recognizes the open and aligns quickly to a topic.
- U → A: Greeting or first move (“Hi”, “I need a quote”).
- A: Receipt + capability/role (brief), and topic alignment (accept the stated topic or offer nearby options).
- A: Transition into the selected activity (user inquiry, open request, or bot inquiry), or request clarification via bot repair.
Support & transitions
- Use bot inquiry for missing parameters; bot repair for disambiguation.
- If the user changes their mind immediately, allow abort.
Metrics
Time-to-topic; unnecessary clarification rate after user openings; drop-offs before first action.
Related patterns
Precedes
- Abort — if the user immediately changes their mind
- Inquiry (Bot) — used when the opening requires clarification before proceeding
- Open request — the most common activity a user-initiated opening transitions into
- Inquiry (User) — when the opening is a simple question, the encounter passes straight into user inquiry
Enables
- Conversation — the conversation opens with the actor speaking first; the bot aligns to their topic
Related
- Bot repair — for disambiguating ambiguous or overlapping user openings
Preceded by
- Disengage without closing — users can also re-open on their own initiative after stepping away