tst-claude-code-samples/.claude/commands/planning/2-brainstorm/1-start-brainstorm.md

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Read Write Glob TodoWrite	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:

   {
     "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

# 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

{
  "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"