# Brainstorming

> Generate creative ideas, solve complex blocking problems, and explore alternative approaches using divergent and convergent thinking.

- Skill: `7a336e6e/brainstorming` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add 7a336e6e/brainstorming`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/7a336e6e/brainstorming/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: 7a336e6e (https://skillmd.com/u/7a336e6e)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/7a336e6e/brainstorming

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# Brainstorming

## Goal
Generate a wide range of potential solutions or ideas for a specific problem, then filter and refine them into the best approach.

## When to Use
- When stuck on a hard technical or product problem.
- When defining the features of a new application.
- When the "standard way" doesn't seem to fit.
- When looking for a "wow" factor or differentiator.

## Instructions

### 1. Divergent Phase (Quantity over Quality)
List as many ideas as possible without judgment.
- **"Yes, and..."**: Build on previous ideas.
- **Inversion**: "How would we make this terrible?" then flip it.
- **Analogy**: "How does [Uber/Spotify/NASA] solve this?"
- **Constraint Removal**: "What if we had infinite compute? What if we had 0 latency?"

### 2. Categorization
Group ideas into themes.
- **Safe/Incremental**: Low risk, standard implementations.
- **Bold/Risky**: High effort, potentially high reward.
- **Blue Sky**: Requires new tech or massive resources.

### 3. Convergent Phase (Selection)
Filter ideas based on:
- **Feasibility**: Can we build this in the given time?
- **Impact**: Does this solve the user's problem 10x better?
- **Alignment**: Does this fit the brand and goals?

### 4. The "Steelman"
Take the chosen idea and try to break it. "Why will this fail?"
If it survives the critique, it's ready for planning.

## Constraints

### ✅ Do
- Encourage wild ideas during the divergent phase.
- Document the rejected ideas (and why) to avoid re-hashing them later.
- Focus on the user's perspective.
- Use analogies to explain complex concepts.


### ❌ Don't
- DO NOT criticize ideas during the generation phase.
- DO NOT settle for the first solution that comes to mind.
- DO NOT let technical constraints kill an idea too early (unless it's physically impossible).


## Output Format
- `brainstorming_session.md`: A record of ideas, categories, and the final decision.
- Updates to project requirements or specs.

## Dependencies
- `../project-planning/SKILL.md`