/core-principles

Core Principles

These principles guide the entire brainstorming workflow:

Converge in Order

Follow the structured progression:

1. Clarify constraints through exploration and questions
2. Compare options with trade-offs
3. Choose intentionally with user approval
4. Create design document using parallel sub-agents with BDD specifications
5. Commit design to git
6. Transition to implementation planning

Incremental Validation

Validate each phase before proceeding:

• Phase 1: Ensure requirements are clear before analyzing options
• Phase 2: Get user approval on approach before creating design
• Phase 3: Complete design with BDD specs using sub-agents before committing
• Phase 4: Verify git commit before transitioning to implementation

YAGNI Ruthlessly

Remove features not required by current constraints. Every feature adds complexity, so only include what's explicitly needed. When in doubt, ask the user rather than assuming scope.

Context First

Build understanding from existing code and documentation before asking questions. Exploration should reveal most answers - questions should only fill gaps that codebase cannot answer. This respects user time and grounds the design in project reality.

Test-First Mindset

Always include BDD specifications in the design document. Load superpowers:behavior-driven-development skill using Skill tool for comprehensive BDD guidance. Write behavior scenarios before implementation:

• Given (context/preconditions)
• When (action/event)
• Then (expected outcome)

This ensures the design is testable and implementation-ready.

Workflow Summary

Phase 1: Explore → Ask → Understand Phase 2: Research → Propose → Get approval Phase 3: Parallel sub-agents (Architecture, Best Practices, Context) → Integrate → Save Phase 4: Git commit → Verify Phase 5: Transition to writing-plans

Each phase builds on the previous, creating a complete design document ready for implementation planning.