# Option Compressor

> Compress a large option set into a few truly distinct decision-ready paths. Use when brainstorming, research, or planning has produced too many similar choices and the next step requires convergence rather than more generation.

- Skill: `alubiama/option-compressor` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add alubiama/option-compressor`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/alubiama/option-compressor/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: Alubiama (https://skillmd.com/u/alubiama)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/alubiama/option-compressor

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# Option Compressor

## Goal

Reduce a crowded option set to the smallest useful set of distinct paths.

This skill does not create new options. It groups, removes, and compresses similar choices so a decision can be made without losing strategic variety.

## When To Use

- ideation created too many options
- the current list has cosmetic variations, not real paths
- prioritization is blocked by option clutter

## Scope Boundaries

In scope:

- cluster overlapping options
- preserve 2-3 meaningfully distinct routes
- name what got merged or dropped

Out of scope by default:

- ranking the final options in detail
- creating options from scratch

## Workflow

1. List the current options.
2. Group by strategy, not wording.
3. Collapse near-duplicates.
4. Keep the smallest set of materially different paths.
5. Name the trade-off identity of each surviving path.

## Output Contract

1. `original_option_set`
2. `compression_logic`
3. `compressed_paths`
4. `merged_or_dropped_options`
5. `why_each_path_is_distinct`
6. `recommended_followup`
7. `next_step`

## Guardrails

- Do not keep cosmetic variants as separate paths.
- Do not compress so hard that real strategic differences disappear.
- Prefer clarity over exhaustiveness.