idea-refine

Refines raw ideas into actionable one-pagers through structured divergent and convergent thinking.

Updated Apr 28, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/JacobThree/zero-bloat-mcp-stack --skill idea-refine-jacobthree
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: idea-refine
Source: https://github.com/JacobThree/zero-bloat-mcp-stack/tree/main/ai_blueprints/agent-skills/skills/idea-refine
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/JacobThree/zero-bloat-mcp-stack --skill idea-refine-jacobthree

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Raw ideas often stay vague, untested, or over-scoped because teams skip structured exploration and assumption-checking. This Skill guides an interactive ideation dialogue that turns a rough concept into a concrete, validated markdown one-pager with explicit trade-offs. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Three-Phase Ideation Process: Runs divergent expansion (sharpening questions, 5-8 idea variations), convergent evaluation (clustering, stress-testing, assumption audits), and a final sharpened output. - Structured One-Pager Output: Produces a markdown artifact with problem statement, recommended direction, key assumptions, MVP scope, and a "Not Doing" list, saved to docs/ideas/ after confirmation. - Codebase-Aware Ideation: When run inside a project, scans existing architecture and constraints to ground idea variations in reality. - Use Case: A founder with a vague concept like "help restaurants compete with delivery apps" invokes the skill, gets guided through reframing, evaluates multiple directions against user value and feasibility, and walks away with a scoped MVP plan. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to help you refine or stress-test your idea by describing the concept you want to ideate on.

Frequently Asked Questions about idea-refine

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I refine a vague startup or product idea?▼

Invoke the skill with your idea and it guides you through three phases: restating the problem as a How Might We statement, generating 5-8 variations using lenses like inversion and simplification, then stress-testing directions against user value, feasibility, and differentiation.

How to stress-test an idea before building an MVP?▼

The skill's Phase 2 clusters resonating ideas into 2-3 directions and evaluates each on user value, feasibility, and differentiation. It explicitly surfaces hidden assumptions, what could kill the idea, and what you are choosing to ignore.

What output does the idea refinement process produce?▼

It produces a markdown one-pager containing a problem statement, recommended direction, key assumptions with validation strategies, MVP scope, a Not Doing list, and open questions. The file is saved to docs/ideas/ only after user confirmation.

Can idea refinement work inside an existing codebase?▼

Yes. When run inside a project, the skill uses Glob, Grep, and Read to scan existing architecture, patterns, and constraints. Idea variations are grounded in what actually exists, with references to specific files when relevant.

When should I not use structured ideation frameworks?▼

Avoid mechanically running every framework in frameworks.md; the skill instructs picking only the lens that fits the idea. It is also not suited for execution tasks like writing code or building, since its output stops at a validated one-pager.