ck:brainstorm

ck:brainstorm — Surface Ideas, Then Decide

Hard gate: zero implementation code. Only explore → expand → spec → report. Implementation happens later via /ck:plan → /ck:cook.

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Step 0 — Listen First

Do NOT scout the codebase yet. Do NOT present options yet.

Ask one open question to understand the user's existing thinking:

"What directions are you already leaning toward — even loosely?"

Wait for their answer. Understand their mental model before adding yours.

// Listen before scouting.
// The user's intuition is the starting point, not a blank slate.

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Step 1 — Draw Out Ideas

Use AskUserQuestion to surface the user's thinking. Ask 1–2 questions per turn — never all at once.

Focus on generative questions:

• What approaches have you considered, even ones you've dismissed?
• What would the ideal outcome look like if there were no constraints?
• Is there a simpler version that would still solve the core problem?
• What's the one thing you're most uncertain about?

Add your own perspective after the user speaks — suggest angles they haven't mentioned, framed as possibilities, not recommendations.

Loop until the idea space feels explored and the user has expressed a preference or direction.

// User ideas first → Claude expands → iterate
// Aim for breadth (4–6 directions sketched lightly), not depth on one

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Step 2 — Scout (Only If Needed)

If a specific question from Step 1 requires codebase context, spawn 1–2 targeted Explore sub-agents inline.

// Scout is optional and reactive, not automatic.
// Only spawn if "I need to check X before we can evaluate Y."

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Step 3 — Narrow Together

Once the user signals interest in 1–2 directions, briefly compare them:

• What each does well for this project
• What it costs or risks
• Any hard incompatibilities with the existing codebase

Be direct. If one option is over-engineered or a poor fit, say so. The user drives the final call.

// Option A: [name] — [one-liner]
//   ✓ [specific upside]
//   ✗ [real cost]
//
// Option B: [name] — [one-liner]
//   ✓ ...
//   ✗ ...