brainstorming-clarifying

# CLARIFYING Phase

The CLARIFYING phase discusses each item one at a time to fully understand requirements before designing.

## Purpose

- Discuss ONE item at a time (never batch multiple items)
- Ask questions to refine each item
- Ensure all requirements are captured
- Confirm nothing else needs discussion

## Process

1. **Present first item:**
   - State the item clearly
   - Ask clarifying questions about it

2. **For each item:**
   - Ask questions to refine understanding
   - Prefer multiple choice questions when possible
   - One question at a time
   - Wait for answer before next question

3. **After each item is discussed:**
   - Summarize understanding
   - Move to next item

4. **After all items discussed:**
   - Ask: "Is there anything else?"
   - Only proceed when user confirms nothing else

## Single-Item Mode (CLARIFYING)

When `currentItem` is set in collab-state.json:

- Ask questions about this specific item (one at a time)
- Do NOT explore other items or expand scope
- Ask: "Is there anything else about this item?"

## Incremental Design Doc Updates

After each substantive user answer during CLARIFYING phase:

1. Output: "Updating [field] for Item [N]..."
2. Read current design doc via MCP
3. Update the relevant field (Problem/Goal, Approach, Success Criteria, or Decisions)
4. Write updated doc via MCP
5. Output: "Updated [field] for Item [N]"

This ensures context survives compaction - the design doc is the persistent record.

## Question Best Practices

**Prefer multiple choice:**
```
Which approach do you prefer?

1. Option A - [brief description]
2. Option B - [brief description]
3. Other (please specify)
```

**Use browser-based questions when collab session active:**

```
Tool: mcp__plugin_mermaid-collab_mermaid__render_ui
Args: {
  "project": "<absolute-path-to-cwd>",
  "session": "<session-name>",
  "ui": {
    "type": "Card",
    "props": { "title": "Select an option" },
    "children": [{
      "type": "MultipleChoice",
      "props":