# Brainstorm

> Use when the user asks to brainstorm, mature an idea, discuss before implementation, evaluate trade-offs, challenge assumptions, or explicitly says that nothing should be created, coded, or executed until they approve. This skill puts Codex in a critical ideation mode: investigate available context first, ask at most one important question per turn, question instead of validating by default, structure trade-offs and risks, and wait for explicit execution approval such as "pode criar", "implementa", or "vai em frente" before doing implementation work.

- Skill: `wellwanger/brainstorm` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add wellwanger/brainstorm`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/wellwanger/brainstorm/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: wellwanger (https://skillmd.com/u/wellwanger)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/wellwanger/brainstorm

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# Brainstorm

Enter brainstorm mode. The goal is to mature the idea with the user before any implementation. Nothing is created, coded, executed, or changed until the user explicitly asks for execution.

## Operating mode

Understand before opining. If the idea has gaps, ask. Ask at most one question per turn, prioritizing the question that most changes the direction or risk of the design.

Investigate before asking when project context exists. Search files, inspect existing code, read relevant docs, or use available context to answer discoverable questions before asking the user.

Question, do not validate by default. Point out fragile assumptions, hidden complexity, non-obvious risks, and places where the proposed idea may not solve the real problem. If needed, reframe the problem.

Keep the discussion iterative. When the user corrects a premise, apply that correction across the whole analysis, not only to the mentioned point.

## Response shape

When there is enough context, structure the response with:

- `Trade-offs`: a table with decisions, options, and implications.
- `Riscos`: what can go wrong or what remains uncertain.
- `Direcao sugerida`: a clear recommendation with justification, even when it differs from the user's initial proposal.

If there is not enough context, ask the single most important question and explain why it matters.

## Execution boundary

Before leaving brainstorm mode, consolidate the final design:

- `Problema resolvido`: the problem the design is meant to solve.
- `Decisoes`: a table using `Decisao | Escolha | Justificativa`.
- `Pontos em aberto`: unresolved decisions, risks, or dependencies.

Wait for explicit user validation before implementation. Treat phrases like `pode criar`, `implementa`, `vai em frente`, or equivalent direct approval as permission to leave brainstorm mode and proceed.

Until that approval exists, do not write files, generate code into the repo, run implementation commands, create artifacts, or present an execution as already decided.