critical-thinking-mode

Name: critical-thinking-mode
Availability: InStock
Author: kittne

Identify and challenge assumptions in plans and designs through guided, sequential questioning frameworks.

Updated Aug 27, 2026

Search Tags:#architecture #risk-assessment #decision-making #root-cause #critical-thinking #questioning #design-review

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/kittne/codex-skills-by-codex --skill critical-thinking-mode-kittne

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: critical-thinking-mode
Source: https://github.com/kittne/codex-skills-by-codex/tree/main/critical-thinking-mode
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/kittne/codex-skills-by-codex --skill critical-thinking-mode-kittne

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

The skill helps teams critically evaluate plans, designs, or problem statements by forcing explicit questioning of assumptions, risks, and alternatives, preventing premature solutions.

Core Features & Use Cases

Sequential questioning: one concise question at a time to surface root causes and gaps.
Framework coverage: 5 Whys, assumption surfacing, risk/impact, options/trade-offs, constraints, evidence, edge cases, reversibility, stakeholder lens, and success criteria.
Applications: architectural reviews, product design discussions, risk assessments, postmortems, and decision-making sessions across domains.

Quick Start

Clarify the decision goal and constraints, then ask a single targeted question to surface underlying assumptions, iterating as new information emerges.

Frequently Asked Questions about critical-thinking-mode

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I challenge hidden assumptions during an architectural design review?▼

To challenge hidden assumptions during an architectural design review, you apply sequential questioning frameworks like 5 Whys and assumption surfacing to expose constraints and risks. This structured approach prevents premature solutions by forcing explicit evaluation of underlying decisions.

What is the best way to conduct a root cause analysis for a postmortem without jumping to solutions?▼

The best way to conduct a root cause analysis for a postmortem without jumping to solutions is to ask one focused question at a time. Using structured question frameworks guides reasoning through evidence and constraints while deliberately avoiding proposing immediate fixes.

How do I assess risks and trade-offs when facing ambiguous project requirements?▼

To assess risks and trade-offs in ambiguous project requirements, use targeted questions covering options, constraints, and stakeholder lenses. This method surfaces hidden impacts and clarifies success criteria by iterating through single questions as new information emerges.

Can I use critical questioning frameworks for prioritization and risk assessment across different domains?▼

Yes, you can use critical questioning frameworks for prioritization and risk assessment across any domain. The approach applies structured lenses like risk impact, reversibility, and success criteria to evaluate decisions regardless of the specific technical field.

When should I avoid using one-question-at-a-time prompts in decision making?▼

You should avoid using one-question-at-a-time prompts in decision making when you already need a direct solution or lack the time for iterative reasoning. This method strictly guides analysis and surfaces constraints without proposing actual answers.