constraint-based-creativity

# Constraint-Based Creativity

## Table of Contents
- [Purpose](#purpose)
- [When to Use](#when-to-use)
- [What Is It](#what-is-it)
- [Workflow](#workflow)
- [Constraint Types](#constraint-types)
- [Common Patterns](#common-patterns)
- [Guardrails](#guardrails)
- [Quick Reference](#quick-reference)

## Purpose

Turn limitations into creative fuel by strategically imposing constraints that force novel thinking, break habitual patterns, and reveal unexpected solutions.

## When to Use

**Invoke this skill when you observe:**
- Unconstrained brainstorming produces predictable, generic ideas
- Team defaulting to "same old approaches"
- Creative block despite ample resources
- Need to work within tight limitations (budget, time, materials, technical)
- Want to differentiate from competitors using similar unlimited resources
- Seeking simplicity and focus over feature bloat
- Innovation feels incremental rather than breakthrough

**Common trigger phrases:**
- "We keep coming up with the same ideas"
- "How do we innovate on a tight budget?"
- "Think outside the box"
- "We're stuck"
- "What if we could only use X?"
- "Design this with severe limitations"
- "Create something radically different"

## What Is It

**Constraint-based creativity** deliberately limits freedom (resources, rules, materials, format) to force creative problem-solving. Paradoxically, constraints often boost creativity by:

1. **Reducing decision paralysis** - Fewer options = clearer focus
2. **Breaking habitual patterns** - Can't use usual solutions
3. **Forcing novel combinations** - Must work with what's allowed
4. **Increasing psychological safety** - "We had to because of X"
5. **Creating memorable differentiation** - Constraints make solutions distinctive

**Quick example:** Twitter's original 140-character limit forced concise, punchy writing. Haiku's 5-7-5 syllable structure produces poetry. $10K budget forces guerrilla marketing over Super Bowl ads. Building with only CSS (no images) creates di