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.