| name | brainstorming |
| description | Generate and explore ideas effectively. Use when starting new projects, solving problems, or exploring solutions. Covers ideation techniques and divergent thinking. |
| allowed-tools | Read, Write, Glob, Grep |
Brainstorming
Principles
- Quantity over quality: Generate many ideas first
- No judgment: Defer criticism until later
- Build on ideas: Combine and extend
- Wild ideas welcome: Encourage creativity
Techniques
Mind Mapping
Start with central concept, branch out associations.
┌── Mobile App
│
┌── UI ────┼── Web App
│ │
│ └── CLI
│
Product ─┼── Features ── [list features]
│
│ ┌── PostgreSQL
└── Data ──┤
└── Redis
SCAMPER
- Substitute: What can be replaced?
- Combine: What can be merged?
- Adapt: What can be borrowed from elsewhere?
- Modify: What can be changed?
- Put to other uses: Different applications?
- Eliminate: What can be removed?
- Reverse: What if we flip it?
How Might We (HMW)
Reframe problems as opportunities.
Problem: Users abandon signup
HMW: How might we make signup feel rewarding?
HMW: How might we reduce signup friction?
HMW: How might we show value before signup?
Crazy 8s
- Fold paper into 8 sections
- 8 ideas in 8 minutes
- One idea per section
- Sketch or write
Idea Evaluation
After brainstorming, evaluate ideas:
| Idea | Impact | Effort | Risk | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idea 1 | High | Low | Low | Do First |
| Idea 2 | High | High | Med | Plan |
| Idea 3 | Low | Low | Low | Maybe |
Diverge → Converge
- Diverge: Generate many ideas (no filter)
- Organize: Group similar ideas
- Converge: Select best ideas to pursue