Brainstorm

Brainstorm (Codex)

Use this skill when the user asks to brainstorm, compare approaches, or resolve design decisions before implementation.

Default output

Caveman/lean style by default. See ~/Agents/agents/caveman.md and ~/Agents/agents/context-economy.md. /normal or /lean off restores verbose.

Lookup order

Before generating options, check for project-specific guidance in this order:

1. .ai/skills/agents/brainstorm.md
2. AGENTS.md
3. ~/Agents/agents/brainstorm.md

If a project override exists, follow it. If not, use the default workflow below.

Default workflow

1. Restate the problem in one sentence.
2. Identify the key decisions that must be resolved before coding.
3. Generate exactly 3 materially different options.
4. For each option, evaluate:
   • Complexity
   • Risk
   • Reversibility
   • Test surface
   • Prior art in the codebase
5. Recommend one option with a short rationale.
6. Ask the user to choose or modify an option before proceeding.

Guardrails

• Do not invent domain rules, contracts, or constraints.
• Tie non-obvious claims to code or docs when possible.
• Prefer the smallest, most testable, most reversible option.
• Flag options that weaken validation, auditability, or traceability.

Output format

BRAINSTORM:

Problem statement:

DECISIONS TO RESOLVE BEFORE CODING:
1. ...
2. ...
3. ...

OPTION A — ...
OPTION B — ...
OPTION C — ...

RECOMMENDATION:

OPEN QUESTIONS:
- ...