brainstorming

# Brainstorming Ideas Into Designs

## Overview

Transform rough ideas into fully-formed designs through structured questioning and alternative exploration.

**Core principle:** Ask questions to understand, explore alternatives, present design incrementally for validation.

**Announce skill usage at start of session.**

## When NOT to Use This Skill

**Skip brainstorming when:**
- Requirements are crystal clear and specific
- Only one obvious approach exists
- User has already designed the solution (just needs implementation)
- Time-sensitive bug fix or urgent production issue
- User explicitly says "just implement it" without questions

**Examples of clear requirements (no brainstorming needed):**
- "Add a print button to this page"
- "Fix this TypeError on line 42"
- "Update the copyright year to 2026"
- "Change the button color to #FF5733"

## The Three-Phase Process

| Phase | Key Activities | Tool Usage | Output |
|-------|----------------|------------|--------|
| **1. Understanding** | Ask questions (one at a time) | AskUserQuestion for choices | Purpose, constraints, criteria |
| **2. Exploration** | Propose 2-3 approaches | AskUserQuestion for approach selection | Architecture options with trade-offs |
| **3. Design Presentation** | Present in 200-300 word sections | Open-ended questions | Complete design with validation |

### Phase 1: Understanding

**Goal:** Gather purpose, constraints, and success criteria.

**Process:**
- Check current project state in working directory
- Ask ONE question at a time to refine the idea
- Use AskUserQuestion tool when presenting multiple choice options
- Gather: Purpose, constraints, success criteria

**Tool Usage:**
Use AskUserQuestion for clarifying questions with 2-4 clear options.

Example: "Where should the authentication data be stored?" with options for Session storage, Local storage, Cookies, each with trade-off descriptions.

See `references/example-session-auth.md` for complete Phase 1 example.

### Phase 2: Expl