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I-OnlabsI-Onlabs/claude-code-skills/brainstorming/SKILL.md

brainstorming

Skill4 starsChanged 15 days agoMITView on GitHub

Use when creating or developing, before writing code or implementation plans - refines rough ideas into fully-formed designs through collaborative questioning, alternative exploration, and incremental validation. Don't use during clear 'mechanical' processes

We split this skill into the rules it gives an agent

15 rules. 1 is common, 13 are distinctive, and 1 is very specific to this project.

  • 1

    Common

    Most of the 171 edited versions we read keep these.

  • 13

    Distinctive

    This author's own choices. Worth a look.

  • 1

    Very specific

    Tied to their project's names, files or tools. Probably skip.

  • Common
  • Distinctive
  • Very specific
  1. Distinctive:

    Start by understanding the current project context, then ask questions one at a time to refine the idea.

    line 12
  2. Common:

    Check out the current project state first (files, docs, recent commits)

    line 17
  3. Distinctive:

    Ask questions one at a time to refine the idea

    line 18
  4. Distinctive:

    Prefer multiple choice questions when possible, but open-ended is fine too

    line 19
  5. Distinctive:

    Only one question per message - if a topic needs more exploration, break it into multiple questions

    line 20
  6. Distinctive:

    Ask after each section whether it looks right so far

    line 31
  7. Very specific:

    Write the validated design to docs/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-<topic>-design.md

    line 38
  8. Distinctive:

    Use elements-of-style:writing-clearly-and-concisely skill if available

    line 39
  9. Distinctive:

    Commit the design document to git

    line 40
  10. Distinctive:

    Ask: "Ready to set up for implementation?"

    line 43
  11. Distinctive:

    Use superpowers:using-git-worktrees to create isolated workspace

    line 44
  12. Distinctive:

    Use superpowers:writing-plans to create detailed implementation plan

    line 45
  13. Distinctive:

    One question at a time: - Don't overwhelm with multiple questions

    line 49
  14. Distinctive:

    YAGNI ruthlessly: - Remove unnecessary features from all designs

    line 51
  15. Distinctive:

    Explore alternatives: - Always propose 2-3 approaches before settling

    line 52

“Common” is measured: kept by at least 6 in 10 of the 171 edited versions of this file we could read. “Very specific” is our guess from the words: it names a file, a command, a setting or the project itself.

Keep what fits and drop the rest. Your version, ready for your agents.
Files
SKILL.md

Brainstorming Ideas Into Designs

Overview

Help turn ideas into fully formed designs and specs through natural collaborative dialogue.

Start by understanding the current project context, then ask questions one at a time to refine the idea. Once you understand what you're building, present the design in small sections (200-300 words), checking after each section whether it looks right so far.

The Process

Understanding the idea:

  • Check out the current project state first (files, docs, recent commits)
  • Ask questions one at a time to refine the idea
  • Prefer multiple choice questions when possible, but open-ended is fine too
  • Only one question per message - if a topic needs more exploration, break it into multiple questions
  • Focus on understanding: purpose, constraints, success criteria

Exploring approaches:

  • Propose 2-3 different approaches with trade-offs
  • Present options conversationally with your recommendation and reasoning
  • Lead with your recommended option and explain why

Presenting the design:

  • Once you believe you understand what you're building, present the design
  • Break it into sections of 200-300 words
  • Ask after each section whether it looks right so far
  • Cover: architecture, components, data flow, error handling, testing
  • Be ready to go back and clarify if something doesn't make sense

After the Design

Documentation:

  • Write the validated design to docs/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-<topic>-design.md
  • Use elements-of-style:writing-clearly-and-concisely skill if available
  • Commit the design document to git

Implementation (if continuing):

  • Ask: "Ready to set up for implementation?"
  • Use superpowers:using-git-worktrees to create isolated workspace
  • Use superpowers:writing-plans to create detailed implementation plan

Key Principles

  • One question at a time - Don't overwhelm with multiple questions
  • Multiple choice preferred - Easier to answer than open-ended when possible
  • YAGNI ruthlessly - Remove unnecessary features from all designs
  • Explore alternatives - Always propose 2-3 approaches before settling
  • Incremental validation - Present design in sections, validate each
  • Be flexible - Go back and clarify when something doesn't make sense

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