Brainstorming Designing

DESIGNING Phase

The DESIGNING phase presents the design approach in small, validated sections.

Purpose

• Propose and explore different approaches
• Present design in 200-300 word sections
• Get explicit user validation for each section
• Create visual diagrams for architecture and UI

Process

1. Exploring Approaches

Before writing the design:

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

2. Presenting Sections

For each section of the design:

1. Write section to design doc with [PROPOSED] marker
2. Tell user: "I've added a proposed section: [Section Name]"
3. Provide preview link: "Review at: [mermaid-collab preview URL]"
4. Ask: "Accept this section?"

   1. Accept
   2. Reject
   3. Edit
   

User responses:

• 1 (Accept): Remove [PROPOSED] marker, continue to next section
• 2 (Reject): Discuss what's wrong, revise the section, repeat from step 1
• 3 (Edit): User edits directly in browser, Claude acknowledges changes and continues

3. Section Size

• Keep sections to 200-300 words
• One concept per section
• Get validation before moving to next

Single-Item Mode (DESIGNING)

When currentItem is set in collab-state.json:

Update the work item in the design doc with:

• **Problem/Goal:** - documented problem/goal
• **Approach:** - documented approach
• **Success Criteria:** - documented criteria
• **Decisions:** - any item-specific decisions

Checkpoint: Approach Diagram

REQUIRED for each proposed approach:

Before presenting an approach to the user, create a diagram visualizing it:

Tool: mcp__plugin_mermaid-collab_mermaid__create_diagram
Args: {
  "project": "<cwd>",
  "session": "<session>",
  "name": "approach-N",
  "content": <flowchart/sequence showing the proposed approach>
}

Do NOT describe architecture or flow in text alone. Show it visually, then explain.

Visualizing with Mermaid Collab

When brainstorming involves visual artifacts, use the mermaid-collab server.

GUI/UI Design (ALWAYS use wireframes):

• When discussing screens, layouts, or user interfaces -> create wireframe diagrams
• Use create_diagram(name, content) with wireframe syntax
• Iterate on wireframes as the design evolves
• Preview with preview_diagram(id) so user can see in browser

Architecture and Flow Design:

• System architecture -> flowchart diagrams
• Data flow -> sequence or flowchart diagrams
• State machines -> SMACH YAML or state diagrams
• Component relationships -> class or flowchart diagrams

Design Documents:

• Use create_document(name, content) for design specs
• Iterate on documents with update_document(id, content)
• Link related diagrams in the document

Workflow:

1. During "Exploring approaches" phase, create diagram(s) to visualize options
2. During "Presenting the design" phase, update diagrams to match validated sections
3. When writing final design doc, embed diagram references

Design Completeness Checklist

Before moving to VALIDATING, ensure:

• Every screen/UI has a wireframe in mermaid-collab
• Every data flow/architecture decision has a diagram
• No ambiguous language ("should handle errors appropriately" -> specify HOW)
• No TBD or "figure out later" items
• Success criteria are measurable, not subjective

Live Design Doc Updates

When brainstorming within a collab session, update the design document using MCP tools.

Prefer patch operations for targeted changes:

For small, targeted edits (updating a single field, adding a bullet point, changing status):

Tool: mcp__plugin_mermaid-collab_mermaid__patch_document
Args: {
  "project": "<cwd>",
  "session": "<name>",
  "id": "design",
  "old_string": "<exact text to find>",
  "new_string": "<replacement text>"
}

Use full update only when:

• Adding entirely new sections
• Restructuring large portions of the document
• Patch fails (old_string not found or matches multiple locations)

Fallback to full update:

1. Read current content: Tool: mcp__plugin_mermaid-collab_mermaid__get_document Args: { "project": "", "session": "", "id": "design" }

2. Modify content as needed (add sections, update decisions, etc.)

3. Write updated content: Tool: mcp__plugin_mermaid-collab_mermaid__update_document Args: { "project": "", "session": "", "id": "design", "content": "" }

Important: Always read before full update to preserve existing content.

Exit Criteria

• Each section (200-300 words) presented separately
• User validated each section
• All required design areas covered

Backtracking

Can return to CLARIFYING phase if:

• User raises new questions
• Something doesn't make sense
• Need to gather more context

Announce: "Let me go back and clarify that before continuing the design."

Transition to VALIDATING

Prerequisites:

• Each section (200-300 words) presented separately
• User validated each section

Announce: "Design sections complete. Let me run the completeness gate."

Completion

At the end of this skill's work, call complete_skill:

Tool: mcp__plugin_mermaid-collab_mermaid__complete_skill
Args: { "project": "<cwd>", "session": "<session>", "skill": "brainstorming-designing" }

Handle response:

• If action == "clear": Invoke skill: collab-clear
• If next_skill is not null: Invoke that skill
• If next_skill is null: Workflow complete