Brainstorm

Auto Mode

When --yes or -y: Auto-select auto mode, auto-select recommended roles, skip all clarification questions, use defaults.

Brainstorm

Usage

$brainstorm "Build real-time collaboration platform" --count 3
$brainstorm -y "Design payment system" --count 5
$brainstorm "Build notification system" --style-skill material-design
$brainstorm system-architect --session WFS-xxx
$brainstorm ux-expert --include-questions

Flags:

• -y, --yes: Skip all confirmations (auto mode)
• --count N: Number of roles to select (default: 3, max: 9)
• --session ID: Use existing session
• --skip-questions / --include-questions: Control interactive Q&A per role
• --style-skill PKG: Style skill package for ui-designer
• --update: Update existing role analysis

Overview

Dual-mode brainstorming with CSV-driven parallel role analysis. Auto mode runs a full pipeline; single role mode runs one role analysis independently.

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    BRAINSTORM PIPELINE                            │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                    │
│  Phase 1: Mode Detection & Routing                                │
│     ├─ Parse flags and arguments                                  │
│     └─ Route to Auto Mode or Single Role Mode                    │
│                                                                    │
│  ═══ Auto Mode ═══                                                │
│                                                                    │
│  Phase 2: Interactive Framework Generation                        │
│     ├─ Context collection → Topic analysis → Role selection       │
│     ├─ Generate guidance-specification.md                         │
│     ├─ Generate roles.csv (1 row per selected role)              │
│     └─ User validates (skip if -y)                               │
│                                                                    │
│  Phase 3: Wave Role Analysis (spawn_agents_on_csv)               │
│     ├─ spawn_agents_on_csv(role instruction template)            │
│     ├─ Each role agent produces analysis.md + sub-documents      │
│     └─ discoveries.ndjson shared across role agents              │
│                                                                    │
│  Phase 4: Synthesis Integration                                   │
│     ├─ Read all role analyses (read-only)                        │
│     ├─ Cross-role analysis → conflict detection                  │
│     ├─ Feature spec generation                                    │
│     └─ Output: feature-specs/ + feature-index.json               │
│                                                                    │
│  ═══ Single Role Mode ═══                                         │
│                                                                    │
│  Phase 3S: Single Role Analysis (spawn_agent)                    │
│     ├─ spawn_agent(conceptual-planning-agent)                    │
│     └─ Output: {role}/analysis*.md                               │
│                                                                    │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Context Flow

roles.csv                      feature-specs/
┌──────────────┐              ┌──────────────────┐
│ R1: sys-arch │──findings───→│ F-001-auth.md    │
│ analysis.md  │              │ (cross-role spec) │
├──────────────┤              ├──────────────────┤
│ R2: ui-design│──findings───→│ F-002-ui.md      │
│ analysis.md  │              │ (cross-role spec) │
├──────────────┤              ├──────────────────┤
│ R3: test-str │──findings───→│ F-003-test.md    │
│ analysis.md  │              │ (cross-role spec) │
└──────────────┘              └──────────────────┘

Two context channels:
1. Directed: role findings → synthesis → feature specs
2. Broadcast: discoveries.ndjson (append-only shared board)

CSV Schema

roles.csv

id,role,title,focus,deps,wave,status,findings,output_files,error
"R1","system-architect","系统架构师","Technical architecture, scalability","","1","pending","","",""
"R2","ui-designer","UI设计师","Visual design, mockups","","1","pending","","",""
"R3","test-strategist","测试策略师","Test strategy, quality","","1","pending","","",""

Columns:

Available Roles

Session Structure

.workflow/active/WFS-{topic}/
├── workflow-session.json              # Session metadata
├── .process/
│   └── context-package.json           # Phase 0 context
├── roles.csv                          # Role analysis state (Phase 2-3)
├── discoveries.ndjson                 # Shared discovery board
└── .brainstorming/
    ├── guidance-specification.md      # Framework (Phase 2)
    ├── feature-index.json             # Feature index (Phase 4)
    ├── synthesis-changelog.md         # Synthesis audit trail (Phase 4)
    ├── feature-specs/                 # Feature specs (Phase 4)
    │   ├── F-001-{slug}.md
    │   └── F-00N-{slug}.md
    └── {role}/                        # Role analyses (Phase 3, immutable)
        ├── {role}-context.md          # Interactive Q&A
        ├── analysis.md                # Main/index document
        ├── analysis-cross-cutting.md  # Cross-feature
        └── analysis-F-{id}-{slug}.md  # Per-feature

Implementation

Session Initialization

const getUtc8ISOString = () => new Date(Date.now() + 8 * 60 * 60 * 1000).toISOString()

// Parse flags
const AUTO_YES = $ARGUMENTS.includes('--yes') || $ARGUMENTS.includes('-y')
const countMatch = $ARGUMENTS.match(/--count\s+(\d+)/)
const roleCount = countMatch ? Math.min(parseInt(countMatch[1]), 9) : 3
const sessionMatch = $ARGUMENTS.match(/--session\s+(\S+)/)
const existingSessionId = sessionMatch ? sessionMatch[1] : null
const skipQuestions = $ARGUMENTS.includes('--skip-questions')
const includeQuestions = $ARGUMENTS.includes('--include-questions')
const styleSkillMatch = $ARGUMENTS.match(/--style-skill\s+(\S+)/)
const styleSkill = styleSkillMatch ? styleSkillMatch[1] : null
const updateMode = $ARGUMENTS.includes('--update')

// Role detection
const VALID_ROLES = [
  'data-architect', 'product-manager', 'product-owner', 'scrum-master',
  'subject-matter-expert', 'system-architect', 'test-strategist',
  'ui-designer', 'ux-expert'
]
const cleanArgs = $ARGUMENTS
  .replace(/--yes|-y|--count\s+\d+|--session\s+\S+|--skip-questions|--include-questions|--style-skill\s+\S+|--update/g, '')
  .trim()
const firstArg = cleanArgs.split(/\s+/)[0]
const isRole = VALID_ROLES.includes(firstArg)

// Mode detection
let executionMode
if (AUTO_YES) {
  executionMode = 'auto'
} else if (isRole) {
  executionMode = 'single-role'
} else if (cleanArgs) {
  executionMode = 'auto'
} else {
  executionMode = null  // Ask user
}

const topic = isRole
  ? cleanArgs.replace(firstArg, '').trim()
  : cleanArgs.replace(/^["']|["']$/g, '')

Phase 1: Mode Detection & Routing

Objective: Parse arguments, determine execution mode, prepare session.

Steps:

1. Detect Mode

   if (executionMode === null) {
     const modeAnswer = AskUserQuestion({
       questions: [{
         question: "Choose brainstorming mode:",
         header: "Mode",
         multiSelect: false,
         options: [
           { label: "Auto Mode (Recommended)", description: "Full pipeline: framework → parallel roles → synthesis" },
           { label: "Single Role", description: "Run one role analysis independently" }
         ]
       }]
     })
     executionMode = modeAnswer.Mode.startsWith('Auto') ? 'auto' : 'single-role'
   }
   

2. Session Setup

   let sessionId, sessionFolder
   
   if (existingSessionId) {
     sessionId = existingSessionId
     sessionFolder = `.workflow/active/${sessionId}`
   } else if (executionMode === 'auto') {
     const slug = topic.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9\u4e00-\u9fa5]+/g, '-').substring(0, 40)
     sessionId = `WFS-${slug}`
     sessionFolder = `.workflow/active/${sessionId}`
     Bash(`mkdir -p "${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming" "${sessionFolder}/.process"`)
   
     // Initialize workflow-session.json
     Write(`${sessionFolder}/workflow-session.json`, JSON.stringify({
       session_id: sessionId,
       topic: topic,
       status: 'brainstorming',
       execution_mode: executionMode,
       created_at: getUtc8ISOString()
     }, null, 2))
   } else {
     // Single role mode requires existing session
     const existing = Bash(`ls -d .workflow/active/WFS-* 2>/dev/null | head -1`).trim()
     if (!existing) {
       console.log('ERROR: No active session found. Run auto mode first to create a session.')
       return
     }
     sessionId = existing.split('/').pop()
     sessionFolder = existing
   }
   

Route:

• executionMode === 'auto' → Phase 2
• executionMode === 'single-role' → Phase 3S

Phase 2: Interactive Framework Generation (Auto Mode)

Objective: Analyze topic, select roles, generate guidance-specification.md and roles.csv.

Steps:

1. Analyze Topic & Select Roles

   Bash({
     command: `ccw cli -p "PURPOSE: Analyze brainstorming topic and recommend ${roleCount} expert roles for multi-perspective analysis. Success = well-matched roles with clear focus areas.
   

TASK: • Analyze topic domain, complexity, and key dimensions • Select ${roleCount} roles from: data-architect, product-manager, product-owner, scrum-master, subject-matter-expert, system-architect, test-strategist, ui-designer, ux-expert • For each role: define focus area, key questions, and analysis scope • Identify potential cross-role conflicts or synergies • Generate feature decomposition if topic has distinct components MODE: analysis CONTEXT: @**/* EXPECTED: JSON: {analysis: {domain, complexity, dimensions[]}, roles: [{id, role, title, focus, key_questions[]}], features: [{id, title, description}]} CONSTRAINTS: Select exactly ${roleCount} roles | Each role must have distinct perspective | Roles must cover topic comprehensively

TOPIC: ${topic}" --tool gemini --mode analysis --rule planning-breakdown-task-steps`, run_in_background: true }) // Wait for CLI completion → { analysis, roles[], features[] }

2. **User Validation** (skip if AUTO_YES)

```javascript
if (!AUTO_YES) {
  console.log(`\n## Brainstorm Framework\n`)
  console.log(`Topic: ${topic}`)
  console.log(`Domain: ${analysis.domain} | Complexity: ${analysis.complexity}`)
  console.log(`\nSelected Roles (${roles.length}):`)
  roles.forEach(r => console.log(`  - [${r.id}] ${r.title}: ${r.focus}`))
  if (features.length > 0) {
    console.log(`\nFeatures (${features.length}):`)
    features.forEach(f => console.log(`  - [${f.id}] ${f.title}`))
  }

  const answer = AskUserQuestion({
    questions: [{
      question: "Approve brainstorm framework?",
      header: "Validate",
      multiSelect: false,
      options: [
        { label: "Approve", description: "Proceed with role analysis" },
        { label: "Modify Roles", description: "Change role selection" },
        { label: "Cancel", description: "Abort" }
      ]
    }]
  })

  if (answer.Validate === "Cancel") return
  if (answer.Validate === "Modify Roles") {
    // Allow user to adjust via AskUserQuestion
    const roleAnswer = AskUserQuestion({
      questions: [{
        question: "Select roles for analysis:",
        header: "Roles",
        multiSelect: true,
        options: VALID_ROLES.map(r => ({
          label: r,
          description: roles.find(sel => sel.role === r)?.focus || ''
        }))
      }]
    })
    // Rebuild roles[] from selection
  }
}

3. Generate Guidance Specification

   const guidanceContent = `# Guidance Specification
   

Topic

${topic}

Analysis

• Domain: ${analysis.domain}
• Complexity: ${analysis.complexity}
• Dimensions: ${analysis.dimensions.join(', ')}

Selected Roles

${roles.map(r => `### ${r.title} (${r.role})

• Focus: ${r.focus}
• Key Questions: ${r.key_questions.join('; ')}`).join('\n\n')}

Features

${features.map(f => - **[${f.id}] ${f.title}**: ${f.description}).join('\n')} Write(${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/guidance-specification.md`, guidanceContent)

4. **Generate roles.csv**

```javascript
const header = 'id,role,title,focus,deps,wave,status,findings,output_files,error'
const rows = roles.map(r =>
  [r.id, r.role, r.title, r.focus, '', '1', 'pending', '', '', '']
    .map(v => `"${String(v).replace(/"/g, '""')}"`)
    .join(',')
)
Write(`${sessionFolder}/roles.csv`, [header, ...rows].join('\n'))

Update workflow-session.json with selected_roles.

Phase 3: Wave Role Analysis (spawn_agents_on_csv) — Auto Mode

Objective: Execute parallel role analysis via spawn_agents_on_csv. Each role agent produces analysis documents.

Steps:

1. Role Analysis Wave

   const rolesCSV = parseCsv(Read(`${sessionFolder}/roles.csv`))
   
   console.log(`\n## Phase 3: Parallel Role Analysis (${rolesCSV.length} roles)\n`)
   
   spawn_agents_on_csv({
     csv_path: `${sessionFolder}/roles.csv`,
     id_column: "id",
     instruction: buildRoleInstruction(sessionFolder, topic, features),
     max_concurrency: Math.min(rolesCSV.length, 4),
     max_runtime_seconds: 600,
     output_csv_path: `${sessionFolder}/roles-results.csv`,
     output_schema: {
       type: "object",
       properties: {
         id: { type: "string" },
         status: { type: "string", enum: ["completed", "failed"] },
         findings: { type: "string" },
         output_files: { type: "array", items: { type: "string" } },
         error: { type: "string" }
       },
       required: ["id", "status", "findings"]
     }
   })
   
   // Merge results into roles.csv
   const roleResults = parseCsv(Read(`${sessionFolder}/roles-results.csv`))
   for (const result of roleResults) {
     updateMasterCsvRow(`${sessionFolder}/roles.csv`, result.id, {
       status: result.status,
       findings: result.findings || '',
       output_files: Array.isArray(result.output_files) ? result.output_files.join(';') : (result.output_files || ''),
       error: result.error || ''
     })
     console.log(`  [${result.id}] ${result.status === 'completed' ? '✓' : '✗'} ${rolesCSV.find(r => r.id === result.id)?.role}`)
   }
   
   Bash(`rm -f "${sessionFolder}/roles-results.csv"`)
   

2. Role Instruction Template

   function buildRoleInstruction(sessionFolder, topic, features) {
     const featureList = features.length > 0
       ? features.map(f => `- [${f.id}] ${f.title}: ${f.description}`).join('\n')
       : 'No feature decomposition — analyze topic holistically.'
   
     return `
   

ROLE ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT

MANDATORY FIRST STEPS

1. Read guidance specification: ${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/guidance-specification.md
2. Read shared discoveries: ${sessionFolder}/discoveries.ndjson (if exists)
3. Read project context: .workflow/project-tech.json (if exists)

Your Role

Role ID: {id} Role: {role} Title: {title} Focus: {focus}

Topic

${topic}

Features to Analyze

${featureList}

Analysis Protocol

1. Read guidance: Load guidance-specification.md for full context
2. Read discoveries: Load discoveries.ndjson for shared findings from other roles
3. Analyze from your perspective: Apply your role expertise to the topic
4. Per-feature analysis (if features exist):
   • Create `${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/{role}/analysis-{feature-id}-{slug}.md` per feature
   • Create `${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/{role}/analysis-cross-cutting.md` for cross-feature concerns
5. Create index document: `${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/{role}/analysis.md`
   • Summary of all findings
   • Links to sub-documents
   • Key recommendations
6. Share discoveries: Append findings to shared board: ```bash echo '{"ts":"","worker":"{id}","type":"","data":{...}}' >> ${sessionFolder}/discoveries.ndjson ```
7. Report result: Return JSON via report_agent_job_result

Document Constraints

• Main analysis.md: < 3000 words
• Sub-documents: < 2000 words each, max 5
• Total per role: < 15000 words

Discovery Types to Share

• `design_pattern`: {name, rationale, applicability} — recommended patterns
• `risk`: {area, severity, mitigation} — identified risks
• `requirement`: {title, priority, source} — derived requirements
• `constraint`: {type, description, impact} — discovered constraints
• `synergy`: {roles[], area, description} — cross-role opportunities

Output (report_agent_job_result)

Return JSON: { "id": "{id}", "status": "completed" | "failed", "findings": "Key insights from {role} perspective (max 800 chars)", "output_files": ["path/to/analysis.md", "path/to/analysis-F-001.md"], "error": "" } ` }

---

### Phase 3S: Single Role Analysis (spawn_agent) — Single Role Mode

**Objective**: Run one role analysis via spawn_agent with optional interactive Q&A.

```javascript
if (executionMode === 'single-role') {
  const roleName = firstArg
  const roleDir = `${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/${roleName}`
  Bash(`mkdir -p "${roleDir}"`)

  const agentId = spawn_agent({
 agent: `~/.codex/agents/conceptual-planning-agent.md`,
 instruction: `
Perform a ${roleName} analysis for the brainstorming session.

**Session**: ${sessionFolder}
**Role**: ${roleName}
**Topic**: Read from ${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/guidance-specification.md
${includeQuestions ? '**Mode**: Interactive — ask clarification questions before analysis' : ''}
${skipQuestions ? '**Mode**: Skip questions — proceed directly to analysis' : ''}
${styleSkill ? `**Style Skill**: ${styleSkill} — load .claude/skills/style-${styleSkill}/ for design reference` : ''}
${updateMode ? '**Update Mode**: Read existing analysis and enhance/update it' : ''}

**Output**: Create analysis documents in ${roleDir}/
- ${roleDir}/analysis.md (main index)
- ${roleDir}/analysis-*.md (sub-documents as needed)

Follow the same analysis protocol as wave role analysis but with interactive refinement.
`
  })

  wait({ id: agentId })
  close_agent({ id: agentId })

  console.log(`\n✓ ${roleName} analysis complete: ${roleDir}/analysis.md`)
}

Phase 4: Synthesis Integration (Auto Mode)

Objective: Read all role analyses, cross-reference, generate feature specs.

Steps:

1. Collect Role Findings

   const rolesCSV = parseCsv(Read(`${sessionFolder}/roles.csv`))
   const completedRoles = rolesCSV.filter(r => r.status === 'completed')
   
   // Read all analysis.md index files (optimized: skip sub-docs for token efficiency)
   const roleAnalyses = {}
   for (const role of completedRoles) {
     const indexPath = `${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/${role.role}/analysis.md`
     const content = Read(indexPath)
     if (content) roleAnalyses[role.role] = content
   }
   
   // Read discoveries
   const discoveriesPath = `${sessionFolder}/discoveries.ndjson`
   const discoveries = Read(discoveriesPath) || ''
   

2. Synthesis via Agent

   const synthesisAgent = spawn_agent({
     agent: `~/.codex/agents/conceptual-planning-agent.md`,
     instruction: `
   

SYNTHESIS ASSIGNMENT

Synthesize ${completedRoles.length} role analyses into unified feature specifications.

Session: ${sessionFolder} Role Analyses: ${completedRoles.map(r => ${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/${r.role}/analysis.md).join(', ')} Discoveries: ${discoveriesPath}

Synthesis Protocol

1. Read all role analyses (analysis.md files only — these are index documents)
2. Cross-reference findings: Identify agreements, conflicts, and unique insights
3. Generate feature specs: For each feature in guidance-specification.md:
   • Create ${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/feature-specs/F-{id}-{slug}.md
   • Consolidate perspectives from all relevant roles
   • Note conflicts and recommended resolutions
4. Generate feature index: ${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/feature-index.json
   • Array of {id, title, slug, roles_contributing[], conflict_count, priority}
5. Generate changelog: ${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/synthesis-changelog.md
   • Decisions made, conflicts resolved, trade-offs accepted

Complexity Assessment

Evaluate complexity score (0-8):

• Feature count (≤2: 0, 3-4: 1, ≥5: 2)
• Unresolved conflicts (0: 0, 1-2: 1, ≥3: 2)
• Participating roles (≤2: 0, 3-4: 1, ≥5: 2)
• Cross-feature dependencies (0: 0, 1-2: 1, ≥3: 2)

Output Files

• feature-specs/F-{id}-{slug}.md (one per feature)

• feature-index.json

• synthesis-changelog.md ` })

  wait({ id: synthesisAgent }) close_agent({ id: synthesisAgent })

3. Completion Summary

   const featureIndex = JSON.parse(Read(`${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/feature-index.json`) || '[]')
   
   console.log(`
   

Brainstorm Complete

Session: ${sessionId} Roles analyzed: ${completedRoles.length} Features synthesized: ${featureIndex.length}

Feature Specs

${featureIndex.map(f => - [${f.id}] ${f.title} (${f.roles_contributing?.length || 0} roles, ${f.conflict_count || 0} conflicts)).join('\n')}

Next Steps

• /workflow-plan --session ${sessionId} → Generate implementation plan
• Review: ${sessionFolder}/.brainstorming/feature-specs/ `)

Utility Functions

CSV Parser

function parseCsv(content) {
  const lines = content.trim().split('\n')
  if (lines.length < 2) return []
  const headers = parseCSVLine(lines[0])
  return lines.slice(1).map(line => {
    const values = parseCSVLine(line)
    const row = {}
    headers.forEach((h, i) => row[h] = values[i] || '')
    return row
  })
}

CSV Row Updater

function updateMasterCsvRow(csvPath, id, updates) {
  const content = Read(csvPath)
  const lines = content.trim().split('\n')
  const headers = parseCSVLine(lines[0])
  const idIdx = headers.indexOf('id')

  for (let i = 1; i < lines.length; i++) {
    const values = parseCSVLine(lines[i])
    if (values[idIdx]?.replace(/"/g, '') === id) {
      Object.entries(updates).forEach(([key, val]) => {
        const idx = headers.indexOf(key)
        if (idx >= 0) values[idx] = `"${String(val).replace(/"/g, '""')}"`
      })
      lines[i] = values.join(',')
      break
    }
  }
  Write(csvPath, lines.join('\n'))
}

Error Handling

Compact Protection

COMPACT DIRECTIVE: If context compression occurs mid-execution, re-read the current phase's state:

• Phase 2: Re-read guidance-specification.md
• Phase 3: Re-read roles.csv for progress state
• Phase 4: Re-read feature-index.json and roles.csv