brainstorm

Gate code and project commands until a written design spec is approved.

1|Updated Mar 19, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/lucasmccomb/ccgm --skill brainstorm-lucasmccomb
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: brainstorm
Source: https://github.com/lucasmccomb/ccgm/tree/main/modules/brainstorm/skills/brainstorm
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/lucasmccomb/ccgm --skill brainstorm-lucasmccomb

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Prevents premature implementation by enforcing a written, reviewed design specification before any code, scaffolding, or project-modifying commands are produced. This reduces rework, hidden tradeoffs, and architecture drift by making design decisions explicit and approved before implementation begins.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Hard gate enforcement: Refuses to produce code, scaffolding, pseudocode, or run modifying commands until a design spec is written and explicitly approved.
  • Structured workflow: Guides the user through context exploration, proposes 2-3 distinct approaches with tradeoffs, writes a spec into docs/brainstorm-notes/, self-reviews the spec, and hands off to planning or implementation tools.
  • Audit-friendly artifacts: Creates dated session directories and session.md logs so decisions and open questions are traceable.
  • Use case: Convert a feature request or migration (for example, migrating auth systems or adding rate limiting) into an approved, testable design spec before any implementation starts.

Quick Start

Ask the assistant to "Design a spec for adding a rate limiter to the API gateway and draft the approved design in docs/brainstorm-notes/".

Frequently Asked Questions about brainstorm

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I enforce a design-first workflow before writing any code?▼

Enforce a design-first workflow by using a hard gate that refuses to produce code, scaffolding, or project-modifying commands until a written design spec is explicitly approved. This prevents premature implementation and reduces rework.

What is a design spec and when do I need one for a migration?▼

A design spec is a written document outlining proposed approaches with tradeoffs for architecture changes. You need a formal spec for migrations, such as migrating auth systems, to make design decisions explicit and traceable before implementation begins.

How do I write a spec that proposes multiple approaches with tradeoffs?▼

Write a spec by guiding through context exploration, proposing 2-3 distinct approaches with tradeoffs, and recording the spec in a dated session directory. Perform a self-review to ensure decisions and open questions are traceable.

Can I scaffold project files without an approved design spec?▼

Scaffolding project files is blocked by the hard gate enforcement. No pseudocode, scaffolding, or modifying commands are produced until a written design spec exists in docs/brainstorm-notes/ and is explicitly approved.

Best way to document architecture decisions for audit-friendly traceability?▼

Document architecture decisions by creating dated session directories and session.md logs within docs/brainstorm-notes/. This audit-friendly artifact ensures tradeoff analysis and traceable decisions are recorded before handing off to planning.

Why does my assistant refuse to generate code for my new feature?▼

Your assistant refuses to generate code because a design-first gate is active, requiring an approved written design spec before any implementation. This prevents hidden tradeoffs and architecture drift by making design decisions explicit.