---
name: product-brainstorming-planning
description: Explore intent and shape ideas before implementation planning. Use when Codex is asked to brainstorm, ideate, plan a feature/product/workflow, clarify a vague idea, compare approaches, discover requirements, create a PRD, define MVP scope, or turn rough goals into an implementation-ready brief.
---

# Product Brainstorming Planning

## Core Workflow

1. Separate brainstorming from implementation planning. First clarify what should exist and why; only then decide how to build it.
2. Identify user, problem, motivation, desired outcome, constraints, risks, non-goals, and decision criteria.
3. Ask only high-impact questions. Prefer 3-7 targeted questions over a long intake form.
4. Explore multiple approaches, including a small MVP, a strong version, and a risky/ambitious version.
5. Present staged decisions so the user can steer before detailed planning.
6. Convert the selected direction into a build-ready brief with acceptance criteria.

## Handoff Rule

End brainstorming with a clear next-skill recommendation when the work should continue in a specialized skill. Examples:

- Game concepts: hand off to `game-skill-orchestration`.
- Growth, sales, or marketing ideas: hand off to `growth-strategy-orchestration`.
- React/Next performance ideas: hand off to `react-next-performance-optimization`.
- UI critique or visual polish: hand off to `visual-ui-ux-audit`.
- Skill improvement ideas: hand off to `skill-evaluation-iteration`.

## Brainstorming Modes

- Discovery: clarify the problem, audience, and success criteria.
- Divergence: generate several viable directions.
- Convergence: compare options and choose a path.
- Design shaping: define workflows, states, edge cases, and data.
- Implementation readiness: translate the idea into scope, milestones, and validation.

## Output Contract

- Intent summary
- Assumptions and unknowns
- User/job/story
- Options with tradeoffs
- Recommended direction
- MVP and later versions
- Acceptance criteria
- Open questions that materially change scope

## References

- Read `references/brainstorming-planning-checklist.md` when shaping a broad or ambiguous idea.