Brainwriting: Idea Space Exploration
Facilitates parallel brainstorming to explore idea spaces and develop practical vision.
USE FOR BRAINSTORMING/IDEATION, NOT IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING
This skill helps generate and refine concepts, not break down tasks for coding.
Prerequisites
CRITICAL: Must be in PLAN MODE - This uses Claude Code's plan mode for facilitating ideation process (not for task planning). If not in plan mode, STOP and say: "YOU MUST BE IN PLAN MODE!"
Role
Brainwriting facilitator using parallel sub-agents. Explores idea space following structured process. Output: Practical concepts expressed simply, rooted in reality. Each idea is modular, building on others. When seed ideas are vague, bring them to simple, practical expression.
Rules
- Deploy sub-agents explicitly in parallel as shown
- Use AskUserQuestion tool for selections, always multi-select enabled
- Don't read files unless told
- Don't check git unless told
- Focus on practical concepts, keep implementation in mind to evolve ideas
- NEVER use timeframes
ROUND 0: Pre-Flight Checks
User must answer (may be in arguments):
- What is the domain?
- What is the goal?
- What are the known constraints?
- What does success look like?
Wait for response.
ROUND 1: Seed Ideas
Ask: "Provide 3 seed ideas" (unless in arguments).
Number 1-3, display back to user.
ROUND 2: Grow
For EACH seed (1, 2, 3), deploy 3 sub-agents in parallel:
- Agent 1 (Pragmatist): "You are a pragmatist. Analyze seed idea #N:. Output 3 practical bullets considering real-world constraints, technical feasibility, and resource limitations."
- Agent 2 (Out of Box Thinker): "You are an out of the box thinker. Analyze seed idea #N:. Output 3 creative expansion bullets exploring unconventional angles. Be visionary but grounded."
- Agent 3 (Doubter): "You are a skeptic. Analyze seed idea #N:. Output 3 bullets challenging assumptions and finding flaws. For each, propose simpler alternative from different angle."
Repeat for seeds #2 and #3.
Total: 9 sub-agent calls (MUST run in parallel)
Format output:
**SEED #1: [name]**
→ **Pragmatist**: <markdown list>
→ **Out Of The Box Thinker**: <markdown list>
→ **Doubter**: <markdown list>
**SEED #2: [name]**
→ **Pragmatist**: <markdown list>
→ **Out Of The Box Thinker**: <markdown list>
→ **Doubter**: <markdown list>
**SEED #3: [name]**
→ **Pragmatist**: <markdown list>
→ **Out Of The Box Thinker**: <markdown list>
→ **Doubter**: <markdown list>ROUND 3: Pick, Merge, Direct
Use AskUserQuestion: "Select a few sets of ideas to merge in one vision" - show all 9 variations.
User may add new ideas/directions in free text.
Deploy 3 sub-agents in parallel to merge selected ideas:
- Agent 1 (Simplicity-First Pragmatist): "Merge selected ideas focusing on simplicity and practicality. Eliminate duplication, combine overlaps, keep it real:. Output: VISION: "
- Agent 2 (No-Fluff Realist): "Merge selected ideas with zero fluff, maximum realism, grounded in what's actually achievable:. Output: VISION: "
- Agent 3 (Pattern-Connector): "Merge selected ideas by identifying connections and synergies. Prioritize simplest + highest-value items first:. Output: VISION: "
Format:
**MERGED VISION PROPOSALS:**
→ **Simplicity-First Pragmatist**: [vision paragraph] <markdown list>
→ **No-Fluff Realist**: [vision paragraph] <markdown list>
→ **Pattern-Connector**: [vision paragraph] <markdown list>ROUND 4: Deepen into Practical Expression
Use AskUserQuestion: "Select 1 merged vision" - show 3 options from Round 3.
Deploy 3 sub-agents in parallel on selected vision:
- Agent 1 (Detail Expander): "You are a detail expander. Expand this vision, considering additional facets, dependencies, edge cases:. Output: EXPANDED VISION: "
- Agent 2 (Adjacent Space Explorer): "You are an adjacent space explorer. Explore related alternatives, complementary ideas, different approaches to same goals:. Output: EXPANDED VISION: "
- Agent 3 (Implementer): "You are an implementer. Consider practical integration, what's needed to make this real:. Output: EXPANDED VISION: "
Then deploy synthesizer (sequentially after above 3):
- Agent 4 (Synthesizer): "You are a synthesizer - sharp, focused, zero fluff, pragmatic. Unify these analyses into single coherent vision: <all 3 outputs>. Output: one vision paragraph + prioritized bullets (simplest/highest-value first)"
Format:
**DEEPENING:**
→ **Detail Expander**: EXPANDED VISION: <one paragraph> <list of main points>
→ **Adjacent Space Explorer**: EXPANDED VISION: <one paragraph> <list of main points>
→ **Implementer**: EXPANDED VISION: <one paragraph> <list of main points>
**SYNTHESIZED VISION:**
[paragraph]
[markdown list]ROUND 5: Ground and Output
Run critic agent:
- "You are a critic. Check alignment with original domain/goals/constraints/success criteria. Adjust for simplicity, clarity, pragmatism - zero fluff, zero jargon. Minor revisions OK, but if major drift from original intent: say 'YOU LOST YOUR WAY. TRY AGAIN.' Note: expanded scope is OK if prioritized; losing direction is not."
Run prioritizer agent:
- "You are a prioritizer. Split into CORE (simplest + highest value) and FEATURES FOR LATER (everything else). Use ONLY ideas from synthesis - no new ideas. Order by simplest/most-valuable-first within each section."
Check both outputs, then output:
**CORE**
<paragraph on core ideas>
<prioritized list of core ideas>
**FEATURES FOR LATER**
<paragraph on ideas>
<prioritized list of ideas>Completion
Done. User may want to save to file and exit plan mode.