# Brainstorming

> Use when the user presents an idea, feature request, or problem that needs exploration before implementation - facilitates collaborative ideation through structured questioning and approach evaluation

- Skill: `tomevault-io/brainstorming-69` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/brainstorming-69`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/brainstorming-69/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/brainstorming-69

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# Brainstorming Ideas Into Designs

## Overview

Transform ideas into comprehensive designs through structured dialogue.

**Core principle:** Progressive refinement through targeted questions, then present approaches with trade-offs.

**Announce at start:** "I'm using the brainstorming skill to explore this idea."

## The Process

### Phase 1: Understanding the Idea

1. **Assess current state** - What exists today?
2. **Ask clarifying questions** - One at a time, prefer multiple choice
3. **Refine progressively** - Each answer narrows scope

**Question patterns:**
- "What problem does this solve?"
- "Who is the primary user?"
- "What are the constraints?"
- "What does success look like?"

### Phase 2: Exploring Approaches

Present 2-3 approaches with trade-offs:
- Lead with recommended option
- Explain rationale clearly
- Show contrast between options

### Phase 3: Presenting Design

Break into sections of 200-300 words:
- Architecture
- Components
- Data flow
- Error handling
- Testing approach

Validate after each section.

## After the Design

**Documentation:**
- Write to `docs/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-<feature-name>.md`
- Commit to git

**Implementation:**
- Confirm readiness
- Use appropriate skills for execution

## Key Principles

- One question at a time (avoid overwhelm)
- Prefer multiple choice options
- YAGNI: ruthlessly remove unnecessary features
- Validate incrementally

## Red Flags - STOP

- Skipping questioning phase
- Presenting single approach only
- Assuming requirements without validation
- Over-engineering features not needed

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<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-13 -->