brainstorming ideas into designs

Brainstorming Ideas Into Designs Overview Transform rough ideas into fully-formed designs through structured questioning and alternative exploration. Core principle: Ask questions to understand, explore alternatives, present design incrementally for validation. Announce at start: "I'm using the Brainstorming skill to refine your idea into a design." The Process Phase 1: Understanding Check current project state in working directory Ask ONE question at a time to refine the idea Prefer multiple choice when possible Gather: Purpose, constraints, success criteria Phase 2: Exploration Propose 2-3 different approaches For each: Core architecture, trade-offs, complexity assessment Ask your human partner which approach resonates Phase 3: Design Presentation Present in 200-300 word sections Cover: Architecture, components, data flow, error handling, testing Ask after each section: "Does this look right so far?" Phase 4: Worktree Setup (for implementation) When design is approved and implementation will follow: Announce: "I'm using the Using Git Worktrees skill to set up an isolated workspace." Switch to skills/collaboration/using-git-worktrees Follow that skill's process for directory selection, safety verification, and setup Return here when worktree ready Phase 5: Planning Handoff Ask: "Ready to create the implementation plan?" When your human partner confirms (any affirmative response): Announce: "I'm using the Writing Plans skill to create the implementation plan." Switch to skills/collaboration/writing-plans skill Create detailed plan in the worktree When to Revisit Earlier Phases Go backward when: Partner reveals new constraint during Phase 2 or 3 → Return to Phase 1 to understand it Validation shows fundamental gap in requirements → Return to Phase 1 Partner questions approach during Phase 3 → Return to Phase 2 to explore alternatives Something doesn't make sense → Go back and clarify Don't force forward linearly when going backward gives better results.