idea-honing

Guide iterative Q&A to clarify feature ideas and record decisions.

5|12|Updated Nov 24, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/cbgbt/bottlerocket-forest --skill idea-honing
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: idea-honing
Source: https://github.com/cbgbt/bottlerocket-forest/tree/main/skills/idea-honing
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/cbgbt/bottlerocket-forest --skill idea-honing

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This skill helps teams crystallize vague feature ideas by guiding structured, one-question-at-a-time Q&A and recording insights to drive concept development.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Iterative Questioning Protocol: A guided process that surfaces ambiguities, edge cases, and design considerations by asking one well-scoped question at a time.
  • Planning Directory & Idea Log: Creates and populates a planning directory (planning/NNNN-feature-name) and an idea-honing document to capture questions, answers, and decisions.
  • Documentation Handoff: Produces a clear, scoped concept summary to support writing a formal concept document.

Quick Start

Provide a rough feature idea to begin an idea-honing session. The skill will guide you through creating the planning directory, initializing the idea-honing document, and recording each Q&A as soon as it is answered, resulting in a well-defined feature concept.

Frequently Asked Questions about idea-honing

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I clarify a rough feature idea before writing a formal concept document?

Iterative Q&A clarifies rough feature ideas by asking one well-scoped question at a time, surfacing ambiguities and edge cases, and recording answers in a planning directory to produce a clear concept summary for formal documentation.

What is the best way to document feature ideas during early planning?

The best way to document feature ideas during early planning is creating a planning directory with an idea-honing document that records iterative questions, answers, and decisions, ensuring a clear concept summary for documentation handoff.

How does structured questioning help with feature clarification?

Structured questioning helps with feature clarification by enforcing a one-question-at-a-time protocol that systematically surfaces design considerations, tradeoffs, and edge cases, transforming ambiguous concepts into scoped feature summaries.

Can I use idea-honing to handle edge cases and tradeoffs for new concepts?

Yes, idea-honing handles edge cases and tradeoffs for new concepts by guiding iterative Q&A sessions that systematically surface ambiguities, recording each design consideration and decision within a dedicated planning directory.

Do I need a planning directory to start concept development?

Yes, concept development requires a planning directory because the skill enforces creating a planning directory and an idea-honing document to capture frontmatter, iterative Q&A insights, and decisions for documentation handoffs.