majiayu000 breakthrough
Structured creativity when conventional approaches fail.
When to Use
| Trigger | Action |
|---|---|
| "I'm stuck on..." | Run breakthrough |
| "Can't figure out..." | Run breakthrough |
| "Hitting a wall with..." | Run breakthrough |
| "All options seem bad" | Run breakthrough |
| Problem is well-defined | Skip (just execute) |
| Haven't researched yet | Research first |
Quick Reference: 6 Techniques
| Technique | One-Liner | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Simplification Cascade | Strip to essence, solve trivial, add back | Problem feels too big |
| Scale Game | 1000x smaller? 1000x larger? | Over-engineered solutions |
| Meta-Pattern | What class of problem is this? | "This shouldn't be this hard" |
| Assumption Inversion | List assumptions, flip each | All options seem bad |
| Constraint Removal | Remove constraint, solve, then work within | Stuck on specific constraint |
| Fresh Perspective | Explain to duck, draw it, channel expert | Can't see the forest |
Symptom-Based Dispatch
See symptoms.md for full table.
| Symptom | Technique |
|---|---|
| Problem feels overwhelming | Simplification Cascade |
| Solution feels too complex | Scale Game |
| "This shouldn't be this hard" | Meta-Pattern Recognition |
| Every option has fatal flaws | Assumption Inversion |
| One constraint blocking all paths | Constraint Removal |
| Lost in details, can't zoom out | Fresh Perspective |
Decision Tree
START: What's the primary symptom?
├─ "Too big / overwhelming"
│ └─ Simplification Cascade
│ └─ If still stuck → Fresh Perspective
│
├─ "Over-engineered / too complex"
│ └─ Scale Game
│ └─ If still stuck → Simplification Cascade
│
├─ "Wrong framing / this shouldn't be hard"
│ └─ Meta-Pattern Recognition
│ └─ If still stuck → Assumption Inversion
│
├─ "All options bad"
│ └─ Assumption Inversion
│ └─ If still stuck → Constraint Removal
│
├─ "Specific constraint blocking"
│ └─ Constraint Removal
│ └─ If still stuck → Meta-Pattern Recognition
│
└─ "Can't see clearly / lost"
└─ Fresh Perspective
└─ If still stuck → Simplification Cascade
Protocol
1. Name the Stuck
SYMPTOM: [What exactly is stuck]
TRIED: [What approaches failed]
CONSTRAINT: [What feels immovable]
2. Select Technique
Use symptom dispatch table or decision tree.
3. Apply Technique
Follow detailed steps in techniques.md.
4. Evaluate Result
| Outcome | Action |
|---|---|
| New path visible | Proceed with solution |
| Partial clarity | Chain to second technique |
| Still stuck | Try opposite technique |
| Fundamental blocker | Escalate or reframe problem entirely |
5. Document Learning
If breakthrough succeeds:
PROBLEM: [Original stuck point]
TECHNIQUE: [What worked]
INSIGHT: [What was hidden]
APPLIES TO: [Similar problem class]
Technique Chaining
When single technique insufficient:
| First Try | Chain To | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Simplification | Scale Game | Found essence, now find right scale |
| Scale Game | Meta-Pattern | Extremes revealed the real problem type |
| Meta-Pattern | Assumption Inversion | Know the class, now challenge its constraints |
| Assumption Inversion | Constraint Removal | Found hidden assumption, now test removing it |
| Constraint Removal | Fresh Perspective | Removed constraint, need new viewpoint |
| Fresh Perspective | Simplification | Got distance, now reduce complexity |
When NOT to Use
See when-not-to-use.md.
- Problem is well-defined (just execute)
- Haven't done basic research
- Constraint is truly non-negotiable
- Procrastinating on hard work
- "Stuck" is actually fear of commitment
Output
## Breakthrough Analysis
### Stuck Point
[Symptom + failed approaches]
### Technique Applied
[Name + key steps taken]
### Insight
[What was hidden / blocking]
### Path Forward
[Specific next action]
### Applies To
[Future problems this pattern solves]