Brainstorming Ideas Into Designs

Purpose

Turn raw ideas into clear, validated designs through structured dialogue before any implementation begins. Prevent premature coding, hidden assumptions, and misaligned solutions.

You must NOT implement, code, or modify files while this skill is active.

Process

1. Understand Current Context

Before asking questions:

• Review the current project state (files, docs, prior decisions)
• Identify what already exists vs. what is proposed
• Note implicit constraints

2. Clarify the Idea (One Question at a Time)

• Ask one question per message
• Prefer multiple-choice questions when possible
• Focus on: purpose, constraints, success criteria, and explicit non-goals
• For algorithms/math: clarify accuracy requirements, edge cases, expected inputs

3. Technical Requirements

Explicitly clarify or propose assumptions for:

• Performance: allocation budget, runtime targets, real-time constraints
• Accuracy: numerical precision, validation references (papers, test cases)
• Differentiability: which AD backends must work, what needs to be differentiable
• Composability: how it integrates with existing types and interfaces
• Scope: what is explicitly out of scope

If the user is unsure, propose reasonable defaults and mark them as assumptions.

4. Understanding Lock (Hard Gate)

Before proposing any design, provide a summary covering:

• What is being built and why
• Key constraints and non-goals
• All assumptions listed explicitly

Ask: "Does this accurately reflect your intent? Confirm or correct before we move to design."

Do NOT proceed until confirmed.

5. Explore Approaches

• Propose 2-3 viable approaches with trade-offs
• Lead with recommended option
• Compare on: complexity, performance, extensibility, AD compatibility, maintenance
• Apply YAGNI -- avoid speculative features

6. Present the Design Incrementally

• Break into sections of 200-300 words max
• After each section ask: "Does this look right so far?"
• Cover as relevant: type hierarchy, API surface, data flow, error handling, edge cases, testing strategy

7. Decision Log

Maintain a running log: what was decided, alternatives considered, and why.

After the Design

Once validated:

• Write the final design to a Markdown document
• Include: summary, assumptions, decision log, final design
• Only then ask: "Ready to proceed to implementation?"

Exit Criteria

All must be true before exiting brainstorming:

• Understanding lock confirmed
• At least one approach explicitly accepted
• Assumptions documented
• Key risks acknowledged
• Decision log complete