/ideate:brainstorm $IDEA

Flesh out an idea through collaborative brainstorming, then gather project-specific details.

Arguments

• $IDEA: The idea to brainstorm (required)

Process

Step 1: Create feature directory

SLUG=$(echo "$IDEA" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' | sed 's/ /-/g' | sed 's/[^a-z0-9-]//g' | cut -c1-50)
DATE=$(date +%Y-%m-%d)
FEATURE_DIR="docs/features/${DATE}-${SLUG}"
mkdir -p "$FEATURE_DIR"

Save $FEATURE_DIR for subsequent phases.

Step 2: Invoke superpowers:brainstorming

Invoke the superpowers:brainstorming skill with the user's idea.
Let it run its full interactive Q&A process.

When brainstorming completes, capture the design output.

Step 3: Save design artifact

Write the brainstorm output to $FEATURE_DIR/design.md:

# Design: $IDEA

**Date:** $DATE
**Original idea:** $IDEA

## Design

[Captured output from superpowers:brainstorming]

Step 4: Post-brainstorm questions

Question 1: UI Components

Ask: "Does this feature have UI components?"

• If Yes:

  • Check if frontend-designer plugin is available
  • If not available:

    ❌ ERROR: frontend-designer plugin required for UI features.
    Install with: /install frontend-designer
    
    Workflow halted.
    

  • If available:
    • Invoke frontend-designer plugin
    • Save output to $FEATURE_DIR/ui/

• If No: Continue to next question

Question 2: Linear configuration

Load config from .claude/ideate.local.md

If config exists: Ask: "Upload to $TEAM / $PROJECT? [Y/n or specify different]"

If no config: Run /ideate:setup first, then continue.

Store confirmed team/project for upload phase.

Step 5: Announce completion

✅ Brainstorm Complete

Design saved to: $FEATURE_DIR/design.md
UI artifacts: [Yes/No]
Target: $TEAM / $PROJECT

Next: Run /ideate:pressure-test to validate the design.

Resumability

If $FEATURE_DIR/design.md already exists:

Ask: "design.md already exists. Overwrite? [y/N]"

• If Yes: Proceed with new brainstorm
• If No: Skip to post-brainstorm questions using existing design

Error Handling

Error	Action
superpowers plugin missing	Error with install instructions, halt
frontend-designer missing (UI needed)	Error with install instructions, halt
User abandons	Partial artifacts saved for resume