---
allowed-tools: [Read, Write, Glob, TodoWrite]
description: Starts a new brainstorming session for creative idea generation and systematic organization.
---

# Start Brainstorming Session

## Context
- **User Request:** $ARGUMENTS
- **Brainstorm Directory:** `.taskmaster/docs/brainstorm/`
- **Existing Sessions:** !`ls -ld .taskmaster/docs/brainstorm/*/ 2>/dev/null || echo "No existing brainstorm sessions found"`

## Goal
To initialize a new brainstorming session, set up the dedicated workspace, and guide the user through a structured creative ideation process that transforms abstract concepts into organized, actionable ideas.

## Process
1.  **Determine Session Index:**
    - Scan the `.taskmaster/docs/brainstorm/` directory to find the highest existing session index.
    - Assign the next sequential number for the new session.

2.  **Create Session Directory:**
    - Create a new directory named `[index]-[session_name]` inside `.taskmaster/docs/brainstorm/`.
    - Example: `.taskmaster/docs/brainstorm/001-product-features/`

3.  **Initialize Session State:**
    - Create a `_session-state.json` file in the new session directory.
    - Initialize it with session details:
    ```json
    {
      "index": 1,
      "name": "session-name",
      "type": "brainstorm",
      "status": "initialized",
      "created": "2025-01-16T00:00:00Z",
      "lastUpdated": "2025-01-16T00:00:00Z",
      "currentStep": "ideation_setup",
      "completedSteps": [],
      "nextAction": "Begin interactive ideation setup",
      "brainstormType": "creative|problem-solving|feature-expansion",
      "targetDomain": "user-defined",
      "ideationResults": {}
    }
    ```

4.  **Interactive Brainstorming Setup:**
    - Engage the user in a structured conversation to define the brainstorming scope and approach.
    - **Ask clarifying questions to build the foundational framework:**
        1.  **"What type of brainstorming session do you want to conduct?"**
            - a) **Creative Ideation** - Generate innovative product concepts, features, or solutions
            - b) **Problem-Solving** - Address specific challenges or obstacles
            - c) **Feature Expansion** - Explore variations and improvements of existing ideas
            - d) **Market Opportunities** - Identify new business or market possibilities

        2.  **"What is the central topic or challenge you want to explore?"**
            - Prompt for a clear, concise problem statement or topic focus

        3.  **"Who is your target audience or user group?"**
            - Define the primary beneficiaries of the ideas being generated

        4.  **"What constraints or parameters should guide the brainstorming?"**
            - Budget limitations, technical constraints, timeline, regulatory requirements, etc.

        5.  **"What success criteria will you use to evaluate ideas?"**
            - Feasibility, impact, innovation level, resource requirements, market potential

        6.  **"How many ideas are you aiming to generate?"**
            - Set a target number to guide the brainstorming intensity (e.g., 20-50 ideas)

5.  **Generate Initial Framework Document:**
    - Create `01_brainstorm_framework.md` file with the synthesized setup information.
    - Include:
        - Session objectives and scope
        - Target audience and constraints
        - Success criteria and evaluation framework
        - Ideation methodology to be used

6.  **Assign First Ideation Task:**
    - Based on the brainstorming type and framework, present the first ideation task.
    - Provide structured guidance and creative prompts.
    - **Generate a detailed, self-contained ideation prompt:**

    **Ideation Prompt Generation Template:**
    ```
    ### Ideation Prompt: [Brainstorming Session Name]

    **1. Session Context:**
       - **Topic/Challenge:** [From framework - e.g., "Improving user onboarding experience"]
       - **Target Audience:** [From framework - e.g., "First-time SaaS users aged 25-45"]
       - **Brainstorm Type:** [From framework - e.g., "Creative Ideation"]
       - **Constraints:** [From framework - e.g., "Mobile-first design, 3-step maximum process"]

    **2. Ideation Objective:**
       - [Clear goal for this ideation session, e.g., "Generate 30+ innovative ideas for streamlining user onboarding"]

    **3. Creative Prompts:**
       - [3-5 specific creative triggers, e.g.:]
         - "How might we make onboarding feel like a game?"
         - "What if users could onboard through storytelling?"
         - "How can we reduce cognitive load in the first 60 seconds?"

    **4. Ideation Techniques:**
       - **Technique 1:** [e.g., "Rapid Fire - Generate 1 idea per minute for 20 minutes"]
       - **Technique 2:** [e.g., "SCAMPER Method - Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other use, Eliminate, Reverse"]
       - **Technique 3:** [e.g., "What If Scenarios - Explore extreme possibilities"]

    **5. Documentation Format:**
       - Record each idea with: Title, Description (2-3 sentences), Potential Impact (1-10), Implementation Difficulty (1-10)
       - Group similar ideas into themes as you go
       - Note any breakthrough moments or unexpected connections

    **6. Success Metrics:**
       - [Target number of ideas and quality indicators from framework]
    ```

7.  **Conclude with Clear Next Steps:**
    - Instruct the user to document their ideas in `02_idea_generation.md`
    - Provide the complete ideation prompt for reference
    - **Example conclusion:** "Once you have completed your ideation session and documented your ideas in `02_idea_generation.md`, please run `/planning/brainstorm/2-analyze-ideas --name=[session_name]` to analyze and organize your ideas."

## Templates & Structures

### Brainstorm Framework Template
```markdown
# Brainstorm Framework: [Session Name]

## Session Overview
- **Type:** [Creative Ideation/Problem-Solving/Feature Expansion/Market Opportunities]
- **Central Topic:** [Core challenge or focus area]
- **Target Audience:** [Primary beneficiaries]
- **Session Date:** [Date]

## Constraints & Parameters
- [List of limitations, requirements, or boundaries]

## Success Criteria
- [Evaluation framework for generated ideas]

## Ideation Methodology
- [Specific techniques and approaches to be used]

## Expected Outcomes
- [Target number of ideas and desired quality level]
```

### Session State Structure
```json
{
  "index": 1,
  "name": "session-name",
  "type": "brainstorm",
  "status": "initialized|in_progress|completed",
  "created": "ISO datetime",
  "lastUpdated": "ISO datetime",
  "currentStep": "current_step_name",
  "completedSteps": ["step1", "step2"],
  "nextAction": "specific next action description",
  "brainstormType": "creative|problem-solving|feature-expansion|market-opportunities",
  "targetDomain": "user-defined domain",
  "ideationResults": {
    "totalIdeas": 0,
    "categorizedIdeas": {},
    "topConcepts": []
  }
}
```

## Best Practices

### ✅ DO: Encourage Divergent Thinking
- **Create a judgment-free environment** where all ideas are welcomed
- **Use time-boxed sessions** to maintain energy and focus
- **Prompt for quantity over quality** initially - refinement comes later
- **Encourage wild ideas** - they often lead to breakthrough innovations
- **Build on others' ideas** - use "Yes, and..." approach

**Why:** Divergent thinking generates the raw material for innovation. Premature evaluation kills creativity.

### ✅ DO: Provide Structure Within Creativity
- **Use proven ideation techniques** (SCAMPER, Mind Mapping, Six Thinking Hats)
- **Set clear time boundaries** for each ideation round
- **Rotate between different creative approaches** to stimulate varied thinking
- **Document everything** - even "bad" ideas can spark good ones

**Why:** Structure provides a framework that actually enhances creativity rather than constraining it.

### ❌ DON'T: Judge Ideas During Generation
- **No criticism or evaluation** during the ideation phase
- **Don't overthink feasibility** - focus on possibilities
- **Avoid perfectionism** - capture ideas quickly and move on
- **Don't let one person dominate** - ensure equal participation

**Why:** Evaluation and criticism shut down the creative process. Separation of divergent and convergent thinking is crucial.

### ❌ DON'T: Skip the Framework Phase
- **Don't start ideating without clear objectives**
- **Don't ignore constraints** - they actually help focus creativity
- **Don't proceed without success criteria** - how will you know when you're done?

**Why:** A clear framework ensures the brainstorming session produces actionable results rather than random ideas.

## Output
- **Format:** Multiple Markdown files within session directory
- **Location:** `.taskmaster/docs/brainstorm/[index]-[session_name]/`
- **Primary Files:**
  - `_session-state.json` - Session tracking and metadata
  - `01_brainstorm_framework.md` - Session setup and parameters
  - `02_idea_generation.md` - Raw ideation output (user-created)

## Example Usage
- **Start a new creative session:**
  `/planning/brainstorm/1-start-brainstorm --name="product-features"`
- **Start a problem-solving session:**
  `/planning/brainstorm/1-start-brainstorm --name="user-retention-challenges"`
- **Start a feature expansion session:**
  `/planning/brainstorm/1-start-brainstorm --name="dashboard-improvements"`