Brainstorm

Think deeply about an existing idea or explore a new problem space.

Input: $ARGUMENTS

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Purpose

Brainstorming is generative thinking -- expanding possibilities before narrowing.

Unlike /loaf:idea (quick capture) or /loaf:shape (rigorous bounding), brainstorming is exploratory: process an existing idea, explore a problem space, or generate options before committing.

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Mode Detection

Input Pattern	Mode
Idea file reference	Idea Processing (deep dive on captured idea)
Problem/question	Problem Exploration
Empty	Open Brainstorm ("What should we be thinking about?")

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Process

Idea Processing

1. Read idea from .agents/ideas/{filename}.md
2. Gather context: VISION.md, STRATEGY.md, ARCHITECTURE.md, related ideas
3. Deep exploration: ask about user value, problem depth, alternatives, risks, dependencies, scope (minimal vs maximal)
4. Generate options: conventional, minimal, ambitious, contrarian approaches
5. Document with core insight, explored directions (approach/pros/cons), open questions, recommendation, next steps
6. Update idea file status if proceeding

Problem Exploration

1. Interview: problem definition, who's affected, impact, prior attempts, constraints
2. Gather strategic context
3. Diverge: first principles, inversion, analogy, extreme constraints, persona lens
4. Converge: filter by strategy alignment, feasibility, value
5. Document with problem statement, options, analysis, recommendation, next steps

Open Brainstorm

1. Assess: list ideas in .agents/ideas/, check recent sessions, review VISION for gaps
2. Surface opportunities: what's blocking? What's not being pursued? Untested assumptions?
3. Present options for exploration

Capture Sparks (All Modes)

After the main brainstorm concludes, identify sparks -- speculative ideas that emerged but aren't part of the main direction. These are byproducts of exploration, not the conclusion.

Add a ## Sparks section at the end of the brainstorm document:

## Sparks

- **Title** -- one-line description
- **Title** -- one-line description

Sparks are:

• Lightweight -- one bullet, one line each. Don't expand or analyze.
• Byproducts -- they emerged during brainstorming, not the main output
• Worth remembering -- interesting enough to not lose, not ready for /loaf:shape

Spark lifecycle:

• Unprocessed (default) -- sitting in the brainstorm document
• *(promoted)* -- processed into an idea via /loaf:idea
• ~~Strikethrough~~ *(abandoned)* -- decided not to pursue

Brainstorm documents are archived, never deleted -- they hold exploration context, reasoning, and unprocessed sparks. A brainstorm doc remains active while it has unprocessed sparks.

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Guardrails

1. Diverge before converging -- generate options before judging
2. Stay exploratory -- don't prematurely commit
3. Document the thinking -- even discarded options are valuable
4. Connect to strategy -- ground exploration in context
5. Know when to stop -- set boundaries on exploration

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Related Skills

• idea -- Quick capture (may precede brainstorming)
• shape -- Rigorous bounding (often follows brainstorming)
• research -- Fact-finding (complements brainstorming)
• strategy -- Strategic context (grounds brainstorming)