# Creative Ideation > Use when brainstorming ideas, stuck on a problem, exploring alternatives, or needing creative input - provides structured creativity methods (SCAMPER, Six Hats, Mind Map), Multi-Agent parallel thinking, and concept collision for unexpected sparks. Don't use for mechanical execution tasks - Skill: `tomevault-io/creative-ideation` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/creative-ideation` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/creative-ideation/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: AI & ML - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/creative-ideation --- # Creative Ideation with CGU ## Overview Turn vague ideas into concrete possibilities through structured creativity techniques and AI-powered ideation. CGU (Creativity Generation Unit) offers three thinking modes: - **Simple**: Quick single-pass ideation with Ollama/Copilot - **Deep**: Multi-Agent parallel exploration (Explorer + Critic + Wildcard) - **Spark**: Concept collision for unexpected creative connections ## When to Use ``` ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ "I need ideas for..." → generate_ideas │ │ "What if we combine..." → spark_collision │ │ "I'm stuck on..." → deep_think │ │ "Analyze this from..." → apply_method │ │ "Which approach..." → select_method │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ``` **Use this skill when:** - Starting a new project and need direction - Feeling stuck or out of ideas - Want multiple perspectives on a problem - Need to break out of conventional thinking - Exploring combinations of unrelated concepts **Don't use when:** - Task is clearly defined and mechanical - Following established implementation plans - Debugging specific technical issues ## Quick Start **1. Need quick ideas?** ``` → generate_ideas(topic="your topic", count=5) ``` **2. Stuck on a problem?** ``` → deep_think(topic="your challenge", depth="deep", mode="deep") ``` **3. Want creative sparks?** ``` → spark_collision(concept_a="idea A", concept_b="unrelated B") ``` **4. Need structured analysis?** ``` → apply_method(method="six_hats", input_concept="your topic") ``` ## The Process **Understanding the challenge:** - What are you trying to create or solve? - What constraints exist? (time, resources, tech) - What would success look like? **Choosing your approach:** | Situation | Recommended Tool | Why | |-----------|------------------|-----| | Need many ideas fast | `generate_ideas` | Divergent batch generation | | Stuck, need breakthrough | `deep_think(mode="deep")` | Multi-Agent perspectives | | Have two concepts to merge | `spark_collision` | Unexpected connections | | Need structured analysis | `apply_method("six_hats")` | Multi-perspective evaluation | | Don't know which method | `select_method` | AI recommends based on context | **Refining results:** - Use `spark_collision_deep` on best ideas for deeper exploration - Apply `multi_agent_brainstorm` for complex topics - Chain methods: SCAMPER → Six Hats → Mind Map ## Available Methods **16 creativity methods across 5 categories:** | Category | Methods | Best For | |----------|---------|----------| | Divergent | mind_map, brainstorm, scamper, random_input | Generating many options | | Structural | mandala_9grid, morphological, 5w2h, fishbone | Systematic exploration | | Perspective | six_hats, reverse, analogy | Multi-viewpoint analysis | | Process | double_diamond, design_sprint, kj_method, world_cafe | End-to-end workflows | | Systematic | triz | Inventive problem solving | **Quick method selection:** ``` → list_methods() # See all available methods → select_method(is_stuck=True) # AI recommends based on your situation ``` ## Key Principles - **Quantity before quality** - Generate many ideas first, filter later - **Defer judgment** - Don't criticize during ideation phase - **Build on ideas** - Use sparks to combine and extend - **Change perspective** - Try different methods when stuck - **Embrace randomness** - `random_input` and `spark_collision` create surprises ## Multi-Agent Deep Thinking For complex challenges, use Multi-Agent mode: ``` → multi_agent_brainstorm( topic="your challenge", agents=3, # Explorer, Critic, Wildcard collision_count=5 ) ``` **Agent personalities:** - **Explorer** 🔍: Explores possibilities, finds connections - **Critic** 🎯: Identifies risks, challenges assumptions - **Wildcard** 🎲: Injects randomness, breaks patterns ## Example Workflows **Workflow 1: New Feature Ideation** ``` 1. generate_ideas(topic="feature X", creativity_level=2, count=10) 2. spark_collision(concept_a="best idea", concept_b="user pain point") 3. apply_method(method="six_hats", input_concept="refined concept") ``` **Workflow 2: Problem Solving** ``` 1. apply_method(method="reverse", input_concept="the problem") 2. deep_think(topic="how to achieve opposite", depth="deep") 3. apply_method(method="5w2h", input_concept="solution approach") ``` **Workflow 3: Breakthrough Thinking** ``` 1. multi_agent_brainstorm(topic="stuck problem", agents=3) 2. spark_collision_deep(concept_a="best spark", concept_b="random domain") 3. apply_method(method="scamper", input_concept="promising direction") ``` ## Integration with Other Skills **Before coding:** - Use this skill → Then `brainstorming` skill → Then `writing-plans` **When stuck debugging:** - `apply_method("reverse")` → "How could we make this bug worse?" → Insights **For architecture decisions:** - `apply_method("six_hats")` → Multi-perspective analysis ## Tool Reference | Tool | Purpose | Key Args | |------|---------|----------| | `generate_ideas` | Batch ideation | topic, creativity_level(1-3), count | | `spark_collision` | Concept merge | concept_a, concept_b | | `deep_think` | Unified thinking | topic, depth, mode | | `apply_method` | Specific technique | method, input_concept | | `select_method` | Method recommendation | creativity_level, is_stuck, purpose | | `multi_agent_brainstorm` | Parallel thinking | topic, agents(1-5) | | `spark_collision_deep` | Deep collision | concept_a, concept_b | | `associative_expansion` | Concept expansion | seed, direction, depth | | `list_methods` | Show all methods | (none) | ## Tips 1. **Start broad, then narrow** - Use Level 3 creativity first, refine with Level 1 2. **Combine unrelated domains** - Best sparks come from distant concepts 3. **Use constraints creatively** - "How might we X without Y?" 4. **Iterate quickly** - Don't over-analyze early ideas 5. **Document sparks** - Good ideas disappear fast; capture them --- *CGU v0.3.0 - Creativity Generation Unit* *MCP Server with 16 methods, Multi-Agent thinking, and concept collision* --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/u9401066) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.