---
name: brainstorming
description: "General-purpose ideation and strategic thinking. Use when: (1) clarifying thoughts on any topic, (2) exploring options and trade-offs, (3) building strategies or plans, (4) making decisions with multiple factors, (5) thinking through problems. Triggers: brainstorm, think through, explore options, clarify, what are my options, help me decide, strategy for, how should I approach."
compatibility: opencode
---

# Brainstorming

General-purpose ideation for any domain: business decisions, personal projects, creative work, strategic planning, problem-solving. Not tied to software development.

## Process

### 1. Understand Context

Start by understanding the situation:
- What's the situation? What triggered this thinking?
- What's the current state vs desired state?

**Ask one question at a time.** Prefer multiple choice when options are clear.

### 2. Clarify the Outcome

Before exploring solutions, clarify what success looks like:
- What would a good outcome enable?
- What would you be able to do that you can't now?
- Are there constraints on what "good" means?

### 3. Explore Constraints

Map the boundaries before generating options:
- **Time**: Deadlines, urgency, available hours
- **Resources**: Budget, people, skills, tools
- **External**: Dependencies, stakeholders, regulations
- **Preferences**: Non-negotiables vs nice-to-haves

### 4. Generate Options

Present 2-3 distinct approaches with trade-offs:

```
**Option A: [Name]**
- Approach: [Brief description]
- Pros: [Key advantages]
- Cons: [Key disadvantages]
- Best if: [When this option makes sense]

**Option B: [Name]**
...

**My recommendation**: Option [X] because [reasoning].
```

Lead with your recommendation but present alternatives fairly.

### 5. Validate Incrementally

Present thinking in 200-300 word sections. After each section, check:
- "Does this capture it correctly?"
- "Anything I'm missing?"
- "Should we go deeper on any aspect?"

Be ready to backtrack and clarify. Brainstorming is non-linear.

### 6. Capture Decision (Optional)

After reaching clarity, offer:

> "Would you like me to save this as an Anytype Brainstorm object for reference?"

If yes, use the Anytype MCP to create a Brainstorm object:

```
Anytype_API-create-object
  space_id: CHIRON_SPACE_ID
  type_key: "brainstorm_v_2"
  name: "<topic>"
  body: "<full brainstorm content in markdown>"
  icon: { format: "emoji", emoji: "💭" }
  properties: [
    { key: "topic", text: "<short title>" },
    { key: "context", text: "<situation and trigger>" },
    { key: "outcome", text: "<what success looks like>" },
    { key: "constraints", text: "<time, resources, boundaries>" },
    { key: "options", text: "<options considered>" },
    { key: "decision", text: "<final choice>" },
    { key: "rationale", text: "<reasoning behind decision>" },
    { key: "next_steps", text: "<action items>" },
    { key: "framework", select: "<framework_tag_id>" },
    { key: "status", select: "draft" }
  ]
```

**Chiron Space ID**: `bafyreie5sfq7pjfuq56hxsybos545bi4tok3kx7nab3vnb4tnt4i3575p4.yu20gbnjlbxv`

**Framework Tag IDs**:
- `bafyreiatkdbwq53shngaje6wuw752wxnwqlk3uhy6nicamdr56jpvji34i` - None
- `bafyreiaizrndgxmzbbzo6lurkgi7fc6evemoc5tivswrdu57ngkizy4b3u` - Pros/Cons
- `bafyreiaym5zkajnsrklivpjkizkuyhy3v5fzo62aaeobdlqzhq47clv6lm` - SWOT
- `bafyreihgfpsjeyuu7p46ejzd5jce5kmgfsuxy7r5kl4fqdhuq7jqoggtgq` - 5 Whys
- `bafyreieublfraypplrr5mmnksnytksv4iyh7frspyn64gixaodwmnhmosu` - How-Now-Wow
- `bafyreieyz6xjpt3zxad7h643m24oloajcae3ocnma3ttqfqykmggrsksk4` - Starbursting
- `bafyreigokn5xgdosd4cihehl3tqfsd25mwdaapuhopjgn62tkpvpwn4tmy` - Constraint Mapping

**Status Tag IDs**:
- `bafyreig5um57baws2dnntaxsi4smxtrzftpe57a7wyhfextvcq56kdkllq` - Draft
- `bafyreiffiinadpa2fwxw3iylj7pph3yzbnhe63dcyiwr4x24ne4jsgi24` - Final
- `bafyreihk6dlpwh3nljrxcqqe3v6tl52bxuvmx3rcgyzyom6yjmtdegu4ja` - Archived

**Optional**: Link to related objects using `linked_projects` or `linked_tasks` properties with object IDs.

---

## Template Setup

For a better editing experience, create a template in Anytype:

1. Open Anytype desktop app → Chiron space
2. Go to Content Model → Object Types → Brainstorm v2
3. Click Templates (top right) → Click + to create template
4. Name it "Brainstorm Session" and configure default fields:
   - Pre-populated structure matching the brainstorm workflow
   - Framework selector with options: None, Pros/Cons, SWOT, 5 Whys, How-Now-Wow, Starbursting, Constraint Mapping
   - Status selector with options: Draft, Final, Archived
5. Save the template - it will be available when creating new brainstorms

## Key Principles

| Principle | Why |
|-----------|-----|
| **One question at a time** | Avoids overwhelming, gets better answers |
| **Multiple choice preferred** | Easier to respond, clarifies options |
| **Domain-agnostic** | Works for any topic, not just technical |
| **YAGNI ruthlessly** | Remove unnecessary scope from all explorations |
| **Recommendation-first** | Always lead with your suggested approach |
| **Flexible** | Go back and clarify when needed |

## When to Use Frameworks

For structured analysis, consult [references/thinking-frameworks.md](references/thinking-frameworks.md):

| Situation | Framework |
|-----------|-----------|
| Binary decision (A or B, yes or no) | Pros/Cons |
| Strategic assessment | SWOT |
| Finding root cause | 5 Whys |
| Prioritizing many ideas | How-Now-Wow Matrix |
| Comprehensive exploration | Starbursting (6 Questions) |
| Understanding boundaries | Constraint Mapping |

**Only suggest frameworks when they add value.** Many brainstorms work fine with conversational exploration alone.

## Example Session

```
User: "I'm not sure how to approach launching my new course"

AI: "Let me help you think through this. First, what kind of course is it 
and who's the target audience?"

User: "NixOS course for developers who want to learn Nix"

AI: "Got it. What does success look like for this launch?
a) Maximum enrollments in first week
b) Building long-term audience/community
c) Validating the content before wider release
d) Something else?"

User: "B - building community"

AI: "That shapes the approach. What's your timeline?
a) Ready to launch now
b) 2-4 weeks to prepare
c) Flexible, no deadline"

...continues with options and recommendation...
```

## Handoff to Other Skills

After brainstorming, common next steps:

| Output | Next Skill | Trigger |
|--------|------------|---------|
| Project decision | plan-writing | "Create a project plan for this" |
| Task identified | task-management | "Add this to my tasks" |
| Work project | basecamp | "Set this up in Basecamp" |

All handoffs can reference the Anytype Brainstorm object via its ID or linked objects.